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Meaning of Procedure of Youngsanjae Ceremony

The structure of Yeongsanjae shows Anchaebi and Bakkatchaebi in Pompae (music part) and Buddhist dances. The meaning of each step is as follows;

1. Siryeon - It has the meaning of welcome. Accompanying with Buddha in a well decorated palanquin with jewels, Bodhisattva and the hero soul of the ceremony were carried in the palanquins from outside of the main gate of the temple, named "Haetalmun".

2. Jaedaeryeong - A light meal is served and Buddha's teachings are explained to the soul. It has the meaning of readiness for the soul to advance to the Buddha's altar.

3. Gwan-yok - It is the bathing ceremony. It cleans Karmas, which were tainted by three poisons (greed, anger and stupidity), with Buddha's teachings, dharanij [chants] and perfumed water.

4. Jojeonjeom-an - It is a precedure to sanctify the false money to be used in the world of the deceased.

5. Sinjungjakbeop - It is a procedure to invite and to give a hearty reception to one hundred and four Guarding Gods who are eager to listen to Buddha's words. They are requested to protect Buddha, Bodhisattvas and temple and to help the ceremony to be ended smoothly.

6. Gwaebul-iun - So far a soul of the deceased is present in the lower altar and the Guarding Gods are in the middle altar. Now the next procedure is to move the hanging Buddha (painting) which is worshiped indoor in case of normal ceremonies, such as Sangjugwon-gongjae, to specially arranged outdoor altar. It makes Yeongsanjae a huge ceremony in scale.

7. Sangdan-gwon-gong - It is the core part of Yeongsanjae. After Buddha is invited to the upper altar, He is worshiped and prayed to enlighten all lonely souls of the deceased and all living creatures with His teachings and His compassion.

8. Sikdangjakbeop - After the services given to the lower, the middle and the upper altars, the offerings are given to the monks attending the ceremony and to the all living creatures. Buddhist trainee must ask himself whether he deserve to receive the offerings. Also the suffering souls in the hell, starving souls and animal lives are also given the offerings and Buddhist teachings.

9. Unsusangdan:Socheongjung-wi - It is to invite and to worship all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in the entire universe at the upper altar.

10. Jungdan-gwon-gong:Socheongjung-wi - It is to invite and to worship Buddha's respected disciples one by one and ten Kings from the world of the Dead and their staffs with the endorsement of Jijang Bosal[Bodhisattva] at the middle altar.

11. Sinjungtoegong - It is to take the offerings on the upper altar down to the middle altar and to worship the Guarding Gods with them.

12. Gwan-eumsisik(Jeonsisik) - The word "Sisik" means to give away the offerings. It is a procedure to purify all Karmas of the suffering souls in the hell, and to take the souls to great merciful unobstructed world, and to help them to throw away three poisons and to become a good Buddhist.

13. Bongsong and Sodaeuisik - It is a procedure to see off all invitees. First, all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas on the upper altar, second, the Guarding Gods on the middle altar and finally the souls of the dead are gone. Next step is to burn all decorations and clothes used by the soul of the dead. It is to demonstrate the nothingness of Buddhism.

We are not sure when the Yeongsanjae ceremony was started. However, we could guess that buddhist ceremonies were popular even earlier than mid Yi dynasty even though there was no written documents on them, because the procedures of Yeongsanjae were described in Jakbeopguigam and Beomeumjip, which were the ceremonial textbook revised by monks in mid Yi dynasty. Presently Yeongsanjae ceremonies are held for the various occasions, such as to get over from any national difficulties, to pray for national prosperity, social growth, individual wellbeings and to guide the deceased to the heaven. Recently held Yeongsanjae ceremonies showed smaller scales than before.




Detailed Description of Each Procefure of Yeongsanjae

Siryeon
Meaning It is the procedure of inviting Buddha, Bodhisattvas, Guiding Gods and the hero soul of the ceremony to the stage of Yeongsanjae ceremony. All participants are carring palanquin and go to Siryeon stage out of Haetalmun [gate]. They invite all in with the guidance of Namudaeseon -ginrobosal.
Process Participants are carring various types of flags and palanquin to the stage of Siryeon. With the sound of Taejing they sing in unison as follows,
Onghogye -> Heonjwagye/Heonjwajineon -> Dagye -> Haengbogye -> Sanhwarak -> Namudaeseonginrowangbosal -> Gigyeongjakbeop -> Yeongchukgye -> Boryesambo, in order.
It is the formal invitation of all terrestial and celestial gods to the ceremony.


Jaedaeryeong
Meaning It is to serve a light meal to the soul of the deceased. It is also called as Sisik. Sisik is divided into three types, Sisik prior to Sangdankwon-gong, Sisik after Kwon-gong and Yeongban. Jaedaeryeong in this ceremony indicates the Sisik prior to Sangdankwon-gong, the offering of foods to the soul of the deceased, and also called Daeryeong. There are Samyeongil Daeryeong and Jaedaeryeong in Daeryeong. And Jaedaeryeong is divided into Mindaeryeong. Normally Jaedaeryeong is performed at common Jae and Yeongsanjae.
Process In front of Haetalmun[gate] an altar is set up with foods to relieve the hunger of the souls who traveled a long way to attend the ceremony. Daeryeongjae is held at the altar which is surrounded with flags, Inrobeon in the center, Jongsilbeon in left and Gohonbeon in right side. However, these and Kwanyok procedures are rarely performed nowadays. Only an altar of Daeryeong is provided at the cornor of the stage. Fruits and good meals are set up on the altar. The souls of the deceased is invited along with Buddha and Bodhisattvas as Namudaeseonginrowangbobal[Bodhisattva] leads them to the ceremon y. They can not bear hunger because they are in the lower class, while Buddha and Bodhisattvas are in the top. As it is written in Neung-eomgeyong the souls take foods by touching. Without body itself the souls are facing foods by their smell. "Dear souls, please take tea and foods before the ceremony. Heavenly Master Amitabul who is the Buddha in the western heavenly world, Gwanseeumbosal and Daesejibosal are also invited in the ceremony." It is very simillar to Sangsik of Confucian ceremony. The difference between Sangsik and Sisik is that foods are served to not only one soul but all poor souls in Sisik. It shows that the ceremony is based on helping all being, not on prayer of individual happiness.
The light meal is served to the soul:Geobul -> Gohonso:Daeryeongso -> Chakeo -> Jinryeongge -> Gohon-cheong:Samcheong -> Hyangyeo -ncheong -> Gayeong, in order



Gwanyok
Meaning It is a bathing ceremony to clean the body and the soul, which are tainted by three poisons (greed, anger and stupidity) in the living world, with Buddha's merciful words, prior to its proceed to the altar to listen Buddha's teachings.
Process First a bathing stage is set up. According to the Hadangwanyokgyu [regulations on Gwanyok at the lower alter] in Jakbeopguigam; "To welcome the soul, set up 3 bathing rooms with 3 feet high and 4 feet wide. The altar is set up with 3 Moon[doors?] and 6 So [places], north side has to be closed, Cheonsugu [Cheonsu district] and Jewanggu [emperor's district] in the middle, Jangsanggu[generals' district] and Namsingu[gods' district] in the east, and Hubigu[queen's district] and Yeosingu[other gods' district] in the west are made. The Gu of each alter is written on the window paper and posted outside. In front of each bathing district a table is set up with a mortuary tablet, 6 cups of water for mouth-rinsing, mirror and a candle. The candle is lit to reflect the mortury tablet on the water. Also six small tables are set up with mouth-rinsing water, mirrors, toothpicks made of willow tree and toothbrushes. The facial towel and bath towel which are made of cotton, and clothes are placed on the hanger. Paper clothes (trousers and tops) are put into the envelop with the name of the deceased written outside. Then the envelop is put into a box. When everything is set up, it is closed with a curtain. Another table is set up in front of the curtain, with incenses and a candle. The bathing water, which is scented with incenses in it, is also provided outside. After the bathing procedure the cleaning follows. During the bathing chants all participants must pray together sincerely. Yuna (master monk) burns the incenses and bows three times. Then he kneels down and do Songmungwanui with concentration." However, these procedures as written in Gwanyokgyu are hardly performed recently. Instead, a simple Gwanyokso with two washing pans with plain and scented water in each, two pairs of paper clothes (trousers and tops), candle, incense-burner and a mortuary tablet of the deceased are provided. Two pairs of paper clothes (trousers and tops) are folded and placed on top of loosely woven paulownia tree branches over a roof tile. This Gwanyokso is closed with screens. Outside of the screen one or three monks who is going to teach the deceased the Buddha's Sacred Words with dharani as cleaning with the purified water. Behind them the chief mourner and other buddhists are sitting. Beopju and Baraji are sitting on one side. Behind them the monks who plays Samul and Samhyeon Yukgak are positioned. During the chanting of Hwauijaejineon[dharanij] by Beopju monk Hwauijaejineon Barachum [dance] is performed at the outside of the screen, and the other monk who takes the soul of the deceased inside burns the paper clothes with using chopsticks, which are made of paulownia tree, at the inside of the screen. Gwanyok ceremony is finished with Jidanjineon[dhrani]. And the souls are stared to move. They are guided inside of the temple by Inrowangbosal. They show the respects to Sambo[three treasures; Buddha, His teachings, monks] with Jeongjungge and Gaemunge. After Beopseongge they are led to the lower alter, Gohondan[soul's altar] (Yeonggadan or Gamrodan) and served tea as the end of the Gwanyok.
Gwanyok proceeds as follows :
Inyehyangyokpyeon -> Jeongrojineon -> Ipsilge -> Gajijoyokpyeon (Jitsori and Gwanyoksoi Bara) -> Mokyokjineon -> Jakyangjijineon -> Sugujineon -> Sesumyeonjineon -> Gajihwauipyeon -> Hwauijaejineon (Hwauijaejineon Bara) -> Suuijineon -> Chakuijineon -> Jeonguijineon -> Chulyokchamseongpyeon -> Jidanjineon -> Jeongjungge -> Gaemunge -> Gajiyeoseongpyeon -> Boryesambo -> Beomseongge -> Gwaejeonge -> Suwianjwajineo -> Dage



Jojeonjeoman
Meaning It is the ceremony to sanctify the gold and silver coins to be used in the world of the deceased.
Process Gold and silver coins are provided at the corner of the stage. Also the scented water is needed.
Geumeunjeon Jeoman[sanctification of gold and silver coins] (from Cheonsugyeong to Chamhoijineon) -> Jojeonjineon, Seongjeonjineon, Swaehyangsujineon, Byeonseonggeumeunjeonjineon, Gaejeonjineon -> Geumeunjeoniun -> Sanhwarak -> Georyeongsan -> Heonjeonjineon


Sinjungjakbeop
Meaning In Buddhism there are Buddha, Bodhisattvas, Beomcheon, Jeseokcheon, Sacheonwang, Palbujung and many other guarding gods. They come out to praise and to swear the protection of the Buddhism during the Buddha's sermons. All are called as Sinjung. Originally they are came from the old Indian folklores which were existed in far before the begining of Buddhism. As Buddhism grew they were accepted as a part of Buddhism. Later they were known in China and Korea along with Chinese folklore gods, such as Chilseongsin, Siwangsin, and Korean Sansin [mountain god] and Jeongsin [well god]. All became the guarding gods to protect Buddhism because they were move by Buddha's teaching and His mercy. Among them some in warriors' outfit are called as Oihosinjung or Sinjang. They are to make the evil surrender, and to protect Buddhism and buddhists who keep His teachings. They are in lower class than Buddha and Bodhisattvas. We set up an alter for them below and call it Sinjungdan or Jungdan.
Process Sinjungjakbeop is performed to protect Buddhism. At Sinjungdan, also called Jungdan, Jungdanjakbeop is performed as Jungsangdan, Jungjungdan and Junghadan. Depending on the scale or types, 104 or 39 Sinjung are invited. Its procedure is called as Changbul. The order is as follows :
Onghoge -> Geomok (Sangdan, Jungdan, Hadan) -> Gayeong -> Tanbaek



Gwaebuliun
Meaning To held a large gatherings or ceremony, a special outdoor stage is set up with a hanging Buddha painting. It is a procedure to sanctify the outdoor stage because indoor stage is too small for the ceremony.
Process It is a procedure to escort Buddha to Gwaebuldan in the outdoor stage. It follows :
Onghoge -> Chanbulge -> Chulsange -> Yeomhwage -> Sanhwarak -> Georyeongsan -> Deungsangge -> Samuryangge -> Yeongsanjisim -> Heonjwage -> Dage -> Geonhoiso


Sangdankwongong - Yeongsanjakbeop
Meaning Sandankwongoing is a prayer to Buddha and Bodhisattvas with sincere offerings of Yukbeopgongyang and Eomseong[vocal]gongyang for Their mercy and care.
Process Sangdankwongong is a core part of Yeongsanjae. Bakkatchaebi is the main stream of it.
Halhyang -> Yeonhyangge -> Haldeung -> Yeondeungge -> Halhwa -> Seochange -> Bulchan -> Daejikchan -> Jisimsinryebultayayangjok -jon -> Samgakwon... -> Jungjikchan -> Jisimsinryedalmayaiyokjon -> Bojangchui Okhamchuk... -> Sojikchan -> Jisimsinryeseunggayajung -jungjon -> Odeoksa Yukhwarye... -> Gaegeso -> Hapjangge -> Gohyangge -> Yeongsangaege -> Gwaneumchan -> Gwaneumcheong -> Hyanghwacheong -> Gayeong -> Geolsuge -> Swaesuge -> Bokcheongge -> Sabangchan -> Dojangge -> Daehoiso -> Yeongsanyukgeobul -> Sanboso -> Daecheongbul -> Samryecheong -> Sabucheong -> Dancheongbul -> Heonjwage -> Dage -> ilchegongkyeong -> Hyanghwage -> Jeongdaege -> Gaekyeongge -> Cheongbeopge -> Seolbeopge -> Bogeoljineon -> Sugyeongge -> Samuryangge -> Gwimyeongge -> Changhon -> Jisimgwimyeongrye Guwongeopjung... -> Jeongbeopgejineon -> Jineongwongong (Hyangs -urayeol) -> Sangraegajigigeolgongyang... -> Yukbeopgongyang (Baeheonhaetalhyang, Baeheonbanyadeung, Baeheonmanhaenghwa, Baeheonborigwa, Baeheonganroda, Baeheonseonyeolmi) -> Gakjipge -> Gajige (ichagajimyogonggu...) -> Bogongyangjineon -> Bohoihyang -jineon -> Tanbeak -> Hoisimgok/Chukwonhwacheong



Sikdangjakbeop
Meaning This is a procedure of sharing offerings with all participating monks in Yeongsanjae. They have to thank to all of givers, takers and offerings themselves. And make a vow to take all lessons of Paljeongdo to get an achievement in Buddhism. This procedure also shows that it feeds even all hungry souls and enlightens them with Buddha's Words. It is differntiated from common Gongyang because it comes with Pompae, Hotsori, Jitsori and Jakbeopmu.
Process Unpansamhaho [3 strikes of cloud-shaped plate] -> Dangjongsippaltoi [18 strikes of bell] -> Mokeodangsangchosamtongal [first 3 strikes of fish-shaped wooden gong] -> Mokeodanghuotongal [later 5 strikes of fish-shaped wooden gong] -> Ogwange (chorus - Jitsori) -> Habalgeu -mosiptoi [50 strikes of Habalgeum] -> All participants rise -> Jeongsujeonggeon -> Jungsutajudaejungchang -> Dangjwachang -> Jungsudaejungchang Tajumu -> Daejungchang -> Danjwachang -> Daejungchangsipnyeom -> Dangjwachang -> Dangsudaejungchang -> Ogwan and Daejungchang (Sikryeongsan) -> Jungsuchang -> Daejungchang -> Daejungchang -> Tajusanghwan -> Dangjwachang -> Tajugwonban -> Dangjwachang -> Gongyang -> Jungsu -> Dangjwacdhang -> Jungtsdaejungchang -> Dangjwachang -> Chukwonmunbongsong -> Taju -> Ogwansori -> Dangjwachang -> Ogwansori -> Dangjwachang -> Ogwansori -> Jungsudaejungchang -> Jungsudaejungchang -> Dangsuchang -> Dangjwachang -> Jaguibul -> Daejungchang (Hoihyangge) -> Daejungchang


Unsusangdangwongong ; Socheongsangwi
Meaning Unsusangdangwongong in Yeongsanjae means to serve offerings to Myeongbusiwang. Socheongsangwi proceeds as Gakbaejae (Daeryewanggongjae, Sipwanggakbaejae). It is to escort Buddha and Bodhisattvas to Unsusangdan, and to serve offerings with full courtesy and to report them the accounts of today's ceremony.
Process It is to pray Buddha in Jineon [dharani] for their wishes. Unsusangdan is also called as Gakbaejae (Daeryewanggongjae, Sipwanggakbaejae). Gwongong continues mainly with Bakkatchaebi.
Halhyang -> Deungge -> Jeongrye -> Hapjangge -> Gohyangge -> Wonbugaege -> Jeongtogyeolgyejineon -> Swaehyangsujineon -> Hyangsuhunyok ... -> Doljineon -> Cheonsugyeong (or to Daebiju of Cheonsugyeong, or directly to Bokcheongge) -> Bokcheongge -> Cheonsubara -> Sabangchan -> Dojangge -> Chamhoige (Chamhoijineon) (from Jeongdaege to Gwimyeongge in case of giving a sermon) -> Jeongdaege -> Gaegyeongge -> Gaebeopjangjineon (Samnamtae) -> Sipnyeomcheongjeongbeopsin...) -> Georyan g/Suwianjwajineon -> Cheongbeopge -> Seolbeopge -> Bogwoljineon -> Sugyeongge -> Samuryangge -> Gwimyeongge -> Junjegongdeok -chwi... -> Geondanjineon



Jungdangwongong ; Socheongjungwi
Meaning With an endorsement of Jijangbosal in Jungdan, every Jonja, Sipdaemy -eongwang, other Daewangs and their staffs are invited to the service.
Process 1. Geobul
2. Siwangso(solo)
3. Jinryeongge(Beopju sings the first and the third phrases with playing hand-bell, Baraji follows singing of the second and the fourth.) score of music
4. Bosocheongjineon
5. Yuchi(solo)
6. Cheongsa(solo with playing hand-bell)
7. Hyanghwacheong / Gayeong(solo) Goage(chorus)
8. Cheongsa(solo)
9. Hyanhwacheong / Gayeong(solo) Goage(chorus)
10. Heonjwage / Heonjwajineon
11. Jeungmyeongdage(chorus)
12. Cheongsa(solo)
13. Hyanghwacheong / Gayeong(solo) Goage(chorus)
14. Cheongsa(solo)
15. Hyanghwacheong / Gayeong(solo) Goage(chorus)
16. Cheongsa(solo)
17. Hyanghwacheong / Gayeong(solo) Goage(chorus)
18. Cheongsa(solo)
19. Hyanghwacheong / Gayeong(solo) Goage(chorus)
20. Cheongsa(solo)
21. Hyanghwacheong / Gayeong(solo) Goage(chorus)
22. Cheongsa(solo)
23. Hyanghwacheong / Gayeong(solo) Goage(chorus)
24. Cheongsa(solo)
25. Hyanghwacheong / Gayeong(solo) Goage(chorus)
26. Cheongsa(solo)
27. Hyanghwacheong / Gayeong(solo) Goage(chorus)
28. Cheongsa(solo)
29. Hyanghwacheong / Gayeong(solo) Goage(chorus)
30. Cheongsa(solo)
31. Hyanghwacheong / Gayeong(solo) Goage(chorus)
32. Cheongsa(solo)
33. Hyanghwacheong / Gayeong(solo) Goage(chorus)
34. Cheongsa(solo)
35. Hyanghwacheong(solo)
36. Cheongsa(solo)
37. Hyanghwacheong / Gayeong(solo) Goage(chorus)
38. Cheongsa(solo)
39. Hyanghwacheong / Gayeong(solo) Goage(chorus)
40. Cheongsa(solo)
41. Hyanghwacheong / Gayeong(solo) Goage(chorus)
42. Cheongsa(solo)
43. Hyanghwacheong / Gayeong(solo) Goage(chorus)
44. Gayeong(solo)
45. Sanhwarak
46. Moranchan

{Gakbaesangdan} 1. Geunbaekpyeon  2. Boryesambo(Sangdanborye)  3. Heonjwaanwi(Jaebaekpyeon)  4. Beopseongge 5. Gwaejeonge

{Gakbaejungdan} 1. Heonjwage (Heonjwajineon in solo with playing hand-bel)  2. Dage

{Gakbaesangdan} 1. Yokgeoni  2. Dage  3. Hyangsunayeol  4. Teuksag -aji(Jitsori)  5. Sadarani  6. Ogongyang/Gajige  7. Bogongyanjineon  8. Bohoihyangjineon  9. Sangdanchukwon Hwacheong

{Gakbaejungdan} 1. Jungdangaege  2. Sadarani  3. Ogongyang/Gajige  4. Bogongyangjineon  5. Banyasimgyeong (Geumganggyeongchan) or Hwaeomgyeong Yakchange  6. Bohoihyangjineon  7. Tanbaek  8. Jung -dan Jijangchukwon Hwacheong




Sinjungtoigong ; Jungdan
Meaning It is a procedure to move the offerings from Sangdan[top altar] to Sinjungdan[middle altar].
Process 1. Dage  2. Geomok  3. Sangraegaji...  4. Bogongyangjineon  5. Bohoih -yangjineon  6. Wonseonchwijineon  7. Bogwoljineon  8. Jeonggeun  9. Tanbaek  10. Chukwon


SGwaneumsisik / Jeonsisik ; Hadansisik
Meaning It is a procedure to serve offerings to the alter of the deceased with the mercy of Gwaneumbosal. After the services at the Sangdan (the top altar of Budda and Bodhisattvas) and Sinjungdan (the middle altar of Sinjung) the offerings are replaced to the lower alter (Gamrodan, Yeongdan). All souls in the entire universe are served with foods and Buddha's words. At the earlier Daeryeongjae only light noodles were served to the souls to relive their hunger. Now they are served with the full course meals before their return journey.
Process All offerings which were set up on the Sangdan and Jungdan are moved to Hadan [lower altar]. Then participants serve wine to the souls.
Geobul -> Chakeo -> Jinryonggae -> Chakeo -> Sinmyojanggudaedar -ani, Pajiokjineon -> Haewongyeoljineonh -> Bosocheongjineon -> Jeungmyeongcheong -> Hyanghwacheong -> Gayeog -> Heonjwajine -on -> Dage -> Gohoncheong -> Hyangyeoncheong -> Gayeong -> Jebulja Deung Gakyeongga [all buddhists and each soul of the deceased] -> suwianjwajineon -> Jebulja Deung Gakyeongga -> Sadarani... -> Chingryangseongho -> Sigwisikjineon -> Bogongyangjin -eon -> Bohoihyangjineon -> Suachabeopsik -> Jangeomyeombul -> Gongdeokge


Bongsong and Sodaeuisik [see-off and burning ceremony]
Meaning This is a procedure to see off all invited Buddha, Bodhisattvas, guarding gods and the souls.
Process Now all offerings provided by participants and Buddha's words were served. After the bows in front of Sambojeon, Buddha and Bodhisattvas are sent off first, and Onghosinung then. All invited souls and buddhists are led to Sodae with the guidance of Inrowangbosal. Participants are chanting Beopseonggye and go to Sodae [burner]. Every ornament and equipment is burned.
Bongsong [see-off] phrases for the souls -> Haengboge -> Sanhwarak -> Namudaeseonginrowangbosal -> Beopseongge -> Sodaeuisik