Essay about Class: Korean Buddhism

Submitted By csinnott123
Words: 5224
Pages: 21
Open Document
| Korean Buddhism | Christina Sinnott | | | 11/28/2012 |
Dr. Makimura
HIS991

Korean Buddhism is said to be the only remaining Zen school with an unbroken lineage of transmission stretching back to the original Five House of Zen in T’ang Dynasty, China. This means that the Korean Zen tradition is far closer to the original Chinese (Chan) style in both method and spirit than its Japanese counterpart.
Buddhism was first transmitted to the Korean peninsula during the Three Kingdoms’ period of Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla. During the Unified Silla period it was embraced as the official state religion. Since that time, Buddhism has done much to shape the development of Korean culture and over the years it has been intimately related to the fortune and destiny of the Korean people. Consequently throughout the country you still find many Buddhist temples in which have lived many eminent monks who have done much to enrich the spirit of the Korean people.
During the Unified Silla and Goryeo Dynasties, the importing of Buddhism from T’ang China contributed heavily to the creation of an advanced culture and social order. Buddhism however suffered a strong reversal of fortune during the Neo-Confucian Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), when it was oppressed by the state. It was gradually prohibited to enter monastic life, and the construction and renovation of temples became very difficult. Despite the endeavors of a number of great masters to propagate and keep the teachings alive during this period, Buddhism existed within a very narrow ambit. Nevertheless throughout this period of repression and even during the Japanese colonial period (1910-1945), Buddhism continued to make an enormous contribution to the development of the nation’s culture and spiritual life.
During the mid 50’s the reformation of Korean Buddhism began. Great strides were taken throughout the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. Many temples were reconstructed and repaired, and the reformation of Buddhist cultural life was initiated. Furthermore, after many years of hardship, Buddhist aspirants began to show a renewed interest in seeking after the truth. Furthermore, in all temples throughout the country, the fundamental Buddhist principles of compassion towards all living beings and salvation are again being taught. Meanwhile since the 1990’s, Korean Buddhism has gradually been achieving a higher profile and greater worldwide recognition. Nevertheless, despite Korea’s long Buddhist history and the numerous eminent masters who have been produced, there still remains an insufficiency of well-written materials in English, which convey the essence of the Korean Buddhist tradition.
The habitation of early mankind in Korea appears to have started about half a million years ago. The first kingdom, named Gojoseon (Ancient Joseon), lasted from 2333 – 108 BC. After which the three ancient kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla ruled the ruled the entire Korean Peninsula and much of Manchuria; they were by far the most powerful and eminent kingdoms in the area. The period of their rule, 57 BC – 668 AD, is known as the Three Kingdoms period. Goguryeo and Baekjae were ultimately taken over by Silla in 668 and 660, respectively. In 676, Silla unified the peninsula for the first time. The Unified Silla period, 676 – 935, was a golden age for Korean culture and advancements in Buddhist art are especially noteworthy.
The Joseon Dynasty (1392 – 1910) was the peninsula’s last dynasty. During this period, various political and economic reforms were enacted. The most prominent of these was the adoption of Confucianism as the state ideology. The surge of creative literary endeavors and the invention of hangeul (the Korean alphabet) in 1443 make this cultural period very significant. Hanyang, now known as Seoul, was established as the dynasty’s capital city in 1394. Palaces and gates constructed during thie period can still be seen in the city today.
Throughout the history of Korean
Show More

Related Documents: Essay about Class: Korean Buddhism

Tang Dynasty Compare And Contrast Essay

semi-nomadic society to feudal society. However, because of various social environments, these states developed different cultures in their own way. The successful cultural adoption of states in the North, the Korean Peninsula and the Japanese Archipelago in terms of political institution, Buddhism, language system and social traditions flourished Tang civilization in a brilliant way. During Tang Dynasty, its culture gradually affected the states in the North through frequent trade and population immigration…

Words 1434 - Pages 6

Civilization: China and East Asia Essay

intellectual, and cultural traditions. Therefore, we could classify these countries together as parts of a same civilization. To be more specific, the similarity reflected in many fields, such as writing system, bureaucratic reforms, the belief of Buddhism, and some other cultural tradition. Although these countries all have their own particular culture, they also borrowed and assimilated heavily from others, especially those initiated in China. Moreover, I would like to define the East Asia as imperial…

Words 770 - Pages 4

Essay world culture

behaviors of a relatively large group of people.” (Lustig, M.W. & Koester, J. 2013) Koreans take tremendous pride in their traditions and cultural mannerisms. Culture can show in music, art, folk lore, and festivities. Koreans speak and write the same language. Language is one way to continue and spread culture. Koreans value and promote harmonious social and communicative interactions. In the Korean culture, Koreans use a traditional health practice. They rather use Chinese medicine and folk medicine…

Words 1388 - Pages 6

Global Business Cultural Analysis South Korea Essay

persecutions during those times, because foreign religions in Korea was looked down upon. In-spite-of the growing number of persecutions followers continued to increase. There were also a number of relief organization as well as missionaries throughout the Korean War from 1950-53. During these very important years the church grew and the hierarchy was put in place in 1962. Perhaps a major turning point for the Catholic Church in Korea, is when Pope John Paul 11 visited during the celebration of its bicentennial…

Words 7913 - Pages 32

Chapter 10 Guided Reading Essay

Mahayana Buddhism: “Great Vehicle”, won widespread Chinese conversions because it provided refuge from an age of war and turmoil. - Focused on reverence for Buddha and for bodhisattvas- enlightened person who had postponed nirvana to help others attain enlightenment. Bubonic Plague: “The Black Death”- a disease that spread in this time period due to the movements missionaries, nomads, traders, increasing interaction and through sea trade routes. Junks: A very large flat bottom selling ship produced…

Words 1037 - Pages 5

Unreached People Group Project Essay

persecution, and difficulties, God’s will on reaching them continues. This paper will first discuss Koreans background to include historical events, language, family life, economy, and religions. Second, this paper will include a brief review of the history and current missions work, challenges and the status of the church. Lastly, this paper will discuss a proposed a strategy to reach the Koreans in North Korea with the Gospel. Background Information Korea is divided in two countries…

Words 4586 - Pages 19

Mongol Empire and Following Statements Essay example

Jurchen invasion era. d. Mongol Conquest. e. Warring States era. 2. Which of the following statements concerning the situation at the end of the Qin-Han period is most accurate? a. Non-Chinese nomads ruled much of China and a foreign religion, Buddhism, eclipsed Confucian teachings. b. The central authority of the imperial government was rapidly reestablished under the Chou dynasty. c. Aristocratic families rapidly lost ground to the growing influence of the scholar-gentry. d. Patterns of life…

Words 4230 - Pages 17

Global Business Cultural Analysis South Korea Essay

1007/s12140-010-9112-1 http://0-ehis.ebscohost.com.uncclc.coast.uncwil.edu/eds/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=a478dc7f-a3bc-4396-95e5-fe531c37065b%40sessionmgr113&vid=5&hid=26 This paper goes into great detail about the relationship between South Koreans’ religious and level of political tolerance. In South Korea, there are inter-denominational along with intra-denominational differences. The interdenominational (ethno-religious thesis) examines that the Buddhists in South Korea are more accepting…

Words 1826 - Pages 8

Essay about Tang and Song Dynasty

TANG & SONG 1. How did government affect your dynastic era? Tang Dynasty: The administration was organized into 10 political districts called “Dao” which was then later increased to 15. In each political district there were towns, villages, and families. The official system of the Tang administration involved the central official system and local official system. The central official system followed the Sui Dynasty's (581 - 618) three departments and six ministries system. The six major…

Words 1355 - Pages 6

People's Republic of China and A. Introduction Essay

13 The Spread of Chinese Civilization: Japan, Korea, and Vietnam I. Introduction A. Neighbors of China borrow from Chinese achievements 1. Influenced North/West nomadic neighbors 2. Also influenced agrarian Japan, Korea, Vietnam 3. Buddhism played key role in transmission a. Indian ideas filtered through Chinese society/culture II. Japan: The Imperial Age A. Introduction 1. Overview a. 7th and 8th century attempt to borrow from China 1. army, bureaucracy, etiquette…

Words 1354 - Pages 6