This article introduces the development background of narrative literature during the Joseon Dynasty of the Li dynasty, including the promotion of proverbs, the formation of a popular readership, and the introduction of Chinese novels, as well as the rise of the Li dynasty's rap art "Pansori" influenced by Chinese opera. As one of Pansori's novels, "Shen Qing Zhuan" is one of the three classical novels on the Korean Peninsula, along with "Chun Xiang Zhuan" and "Xing Fu Zhuan". It is based on folk oral legends and has been polished by artists and literati. The biography of Shen Qing has been widely circulated in many Asian countries and has had a significant impact. Current research mainly focuses on character images, narrative modes, and other aspects, but there is little comparison between the texts of "Shen Qing Zhuan" and its prototype "The Story of Guanyin Temple", ignoring the social and ideological changes behind the story's evolution. The Story of Guanyin Temple promotes Buddhism, while the Biography of Shen Qing promotes Confucian filial piety. The two have similar plots but different ideas, and the reasons for their transformation are worth exploring, which can provide a new perspective for the debate on the theme of the Biography of Shen Qing.

The Debate on the Theme of Confucianism and Buddhism

As a Pansori novel written in the mid to late 18th century, the story of "Shen Qing Zhuan" was widely circulated among the people and processed by literati, mainly targeting the lower class. There is controversy in the academic community regarding the theme of "Shen Qing Zhuan". One viewpoint holds that its theme is Confucian filial piety, while another viewpoint holds that its theme is Buddhist karma. This debate stems from the evolution of the "Shen Qing Zhuan" from Buddhist stories, which was imbued with Confucianism in the social environment of the Li Dynasty's reverence for Confucianism and suppression of Buddhism. The source of "Shen Qing Zhuan" includes multiple stories, among which the most important prototype is "The Story of Guanyin Temple", which is closest to the plot of "Shen Qing Zhuan". The Biography of Shen Qing tells the story of a filial daughter named Shen Qing who fulfilled her promise of charity to her blind father, sold herself and offered food to the temple, and eventually became the empress. The Story of Guanyin Temple "tells the story of filial daughter Hong Zhuang, who was sold to the temple by her blind father and later became the empress. There are multiple similarities in plot between the two, such as family poverty, selling oneself to offer food, and ultimately becoming the queen. The upper limit of the completion time of "The Story of Guanyin Temple" is 1729, which coincides with the completion time of "Shen Qing Zhuan".

The transition from Buddhist plot to Confucian plot

Explored the transformation of Buddhist plot to Confucian plot in the biography of Shen Qing. The article points out that Shen Qing's image has transformed from the incarnation of Guanyin to a woman in Confucian society, playing the roles of filial piety and virtuous queen, making her closer to the people. Compared with "The Origin of Guanyin Temple", the story of Shen Qing has significant differences in plot, such as Shen Qing voluntarily selling himself, jumping into the sea and resurrecting to become the empress, while the story of Hongzhuang does not have these plots. Shen Qing's filial piety embodies the Confucian concept of filial piety. She voluntarily sold herself to restore her father's enlightenment, which is different from Hongzhuang's filial piety, which was fulfilled through Buddhist methods such as building Buddhist temples. Shen Qing's story emphasizes the plot changes brought about by her filial piety and virtuous status, such as her persistent search for her blind father and her concern for the poor people of the world. The article also analyzed how Shen Qing's filial piety prompted his blind father to regain enlightenment, and how this transformation reflected the Confucian concept of filial piety. In addition, the article discusses the blind banquet proposed by Shen Qing, which is similar to the Thousand Elders Banquet during the Kangxi and Qianlong periods of the Qing Dynasty, aimed at practicing filial piety and paying attention to the suffering of the people. Finally, by comparing the descriptions of the old and new worlds, the article demonstrates the author's criticism of the old world and praise of the new world, as well as people's expectations for rulers to create a harmonious society.

The Three Officials' Worship of Confucianism and Suppression of Buddhism, and the Awakening of Women's Consciousness

Explored the impact of the official Confucian and Buddhist policies during the Joseon Dynasty on the awakening of women's consciousness and its expression in the biography of Shen Qing. The article points out that Confucianism, as a political service discipline, was used by the rulers of the Li Dynasty to maintain the interests of the ruling class, leading to the suppression of Buddhism. The author of "Shen Qing Zhuan" adapted Buddhist stories into novels that promote Confucianism. The official use of Confucianism to establish a strict class system, but with war and socio-economic development, classes began to disintegrate, and the self-awareness of the people awakened. The awakening of women's consciousness was reflected in their participation in literary activities, breaking through class ideology and yearning for a better life. The transformation of the theme in "The Biography of Shen Qing" is closely related to the social environment of revering Confucianism and suppressing Buddhism, promoting the Confucian concept of "filial piety" and shaping Shen Qing as a model of filial piety. At the same time, "The Biography of Shen Qing" fictionalizes a harmonious Confucian society, reflecting the common people's yearning for a better life and their strong desire to break free from feudal constraints. The awakening of female consciousness is reflected in the appearance of lower class women in literary activities, who realize that they can achieve their own lives through hard work and break through class restrictions. The narrative mode of the poor woman Shen Qing marrying the emperor with the help of divine power in "The Biography of Shen Qing" reflects women's desire for a perfect marriage and the difficult situation of poor women in finding a suitable partner. These characteristics highlight the differences between "Shen Qing Zhuan" and other novels, and it should have a special and important position in literary history.

Four concluding remarks

The rulers of the Li Dynasty used Confucianism to educate the people and stabilize the country, while Emperor Yingzong Li Yang attempted to enhance the legitimacy of royal power through Confucian moral images. The Biography of Shen Qing, as a story of impoverished women breaking through social classes, has unique characteristics in the literary history of the Korean Peninsula. The novel shifts from a Buddhist story to a Confucian text, reflecting the social background of revering Confucianism and suppressing Buddhism, revealing the awakening of female consciousness and the rise of female readership in Confucian society. The process and reasons for the textual transformation of 'Shen Qing Zhuan' contribute to a deeper understanding of its literary value. The novel originated from the Buddhist story "The Story of Guanyin Temple" and was created, spread, and processed by literati in the Li Dynasty society, ultimately forming a work with a strong Confucian ideology. The Biography of Shen Qing truthfully reflects the living conditions of the lower class people, and has been popular since its publication because it portrays the humor and sadness of people's living conditions and real life. As a literary model that successfully uses Buddhist stories to promote Confucianism, "Shen Qing Zhuan" showcases the dynamic changes in the fusion of Confucianism and Buddhism in classical Korean novels, and is an undeniable literary masterpiece.