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Original Works

We provide information on Korean literature titles (classical, modern and contemporary) in multiple languages.

Printed/Published Work Korean(한국어)

등신불

About the Original Works

등신불
Original Title
등신불
Title Romanization
Deungsinbul
English Title(Printed)
Tungsin-bul : Volume 107
Classification

KDC구분 > literature > Korean Literature > Korean Fiction > 20th century > Short Story

Author
Kim Dongri
Co-Author
-
Published Year
2005
Publisher
문학과지성사
ISBN
9788932015736
Main Characters
Narrator, Jin Gi-su, Venerable Manjeok
Subject/Theme
Human salvation, role of religion, agonizing life

About the Author

Writer default image
  • Kim Dongri
  • Birth : 1913 ~ 1995
  • Occupation : Novelist
  • First Name : Dongri
  • Family Name : Kim
  • Korean Name : 김동리
  • ISNI : 0000000116982203
  • Works : 49
Plot

At the end of the Japanese colonial period, the narrator, who was forced to become a student soldier, makes an escape. Owing to the help of Buddhist scholar Jin Gi-su, the narrator stays at a Buddhist temple called Jeongwonsa. There is a life-size statue of the Buddha who entered nirvana by self-immolations, and unlike the usual calm-looking Buddha statues, it evokes pain, sorrow, and suffering. The narrator hears the story of this Buddha, known as Tungsin-bul, and thinks about human suffering and religious salvation.

Descriptions(Languages 2)
  • English(English)
  • Korean(한국어)

This is a short story by Kim Dongri, published in Sasanggye in November 1961. Through the story of Tungsin-bul, it shows the process of a man recognizing anguish, grief, and suffering and eventually receiving religious salvation. This short story is regarded as one of Kim's most representative works.

1961년 11월 <사상계>에 발표한 김동리의 단편소설이다. 이 작품은 등신불에 얽힌 사연을 통해 인간의 고뇌와 비원, 고통을 인식하고, 종교적인 구원을 받는 과정을 형상화하고 있다. 김동리의 대표작 중 하나로 평가된다.

Translated Books2

  • Tungsin-bul
    English(English) Book Available
    Tungsin-bul
    Kim Dongri et al / Kim Tong-ni / 2015 / KDC구분 > literature > Korean Literature > Korean Fiction > 20th century > Short Story
  • 等身佛
    Chinese(汉语) Book
    等身佛
    Kim Dongri et al / 金東里 / 1983 / KDC구분 > literature > Korean Literature > Korean Fiction > 20th century > Short Story
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