History of Korean Buddhism
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The history of Korean Buddhism is interesting to explore.
Introduced from China in 372 ACE, Buddhism combined with Korea's indigenous shamanism. During the Three Kingdoms period, Buddhism slowly developed. After the unification of the peninsula in 668 by Shilla, the golden age of the unified Shilla Period (668-935) was followed by the ritualistic Koryo Period (935-1392). Persecution ran high in the Choson Period as Neo-Confucianism gained the favor of the ruling families. In 1945, after 36 years, the Japanese colonization of Korea came to an end: Korean Buddhism underwent a renewal.
Early
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| Korean monks return to temple (Joonghijung) |
Shamanism is the ancient practice of animism and nature-spirit worship. Its origins in Korea are unknown as in most of the world. But the core belief is that human beings, natural forces, and even
inanimate objects possess or are possessed by spirits.
Because Buddhism is not regarded as being in conflict with the rites of nature worship, it naturally blended with shamanism. Many of the mountains believed to be the residence of spirits in pre-Buddhist times soon became the sites of Buddhist temples.
The Recluse
Korean shamanism gives three spirits special significance and reverence: The Mountain Spirit (
Sanshin, usually depicted as an old man with a tiger at his feet), the Recluse (
Toksong), and the Spirit of the Seven Stars, the Big Dipper (
Ch'ilsong). They are similar to Japan's
Yokai.
Buddhism accepted and absorbed these spirits, and special shrines are set aside for them in most temples. The Mountain Spirit in particular receives veneration following ceremonies honoring the Buddha -- in case the local mountain spirits, on whose land Buddhist temples stand, become angry.
Chinese Mahayana blended with shamanism to produce Korean Buddhism, which is regarded as a clarification of many Chinese inconsistencies. As in other Buddhist countries, the fundamental teachings of the Buddha remained the same, but the forms are uniquely Korean.
Three Kingdoms Period
In the 4th century ACE, as Buddhism was being introduced, the Korean peninsula was divided into three kingdoms: Koguryo, Paekje, and Shilla. Buddhism first arrived in the northern kingdom of Koguryo, gradually spread to Paekje in the southwest, and finally reached southeastern Shilla by the 5th century.
Koguryo
In 372 ACE a monk was invited from China to Korguryo. He brought Chinese texts and statues. Buddhism was quickly accepted by the Koguryo royalty and their subjects. Buddhism in China at that time was elementary in form. The people believed the law of causality, "As you sow, so shall you reap" on their search for happiness. This simple philosophy had much in common with indigenous shaman beliefs and may have been reason for the quick assimilation of Buddhism by the people of Koguryo.
Buddhism was carried southwest to Paekje in 384 and there, too, was received by the royal family. King Asin (392-450), for example, proclaimed that Korean "people should believe in Buddhism and seek happiness." During the reign of King Song (523-554) the monk Kyomik returned from India with new texts. He is considered the founder of one of the main schools of Buddhism of that period. Beginning in 530 Korean monks traveled to Japan to teach the Japanese about Buddhism. [And many Koreans believe that missionaries went throughout the world.] Architects and painters often accompanied the monks, craftsmen who helped construct great temples in Japan.
For a short time, a small, separate federation known as Kaya emerged that was invaded and was eventually annexed to Shilla, where commoners rather than royalty were first attracted to Buddhism. ...
King Chinhung (540-557) in particular encouraged the growth of Buddhism with the formation of a special training institution, the
Hwarangdo. Select young men were trained physically and spiritually according to Buddhist principles so that they could govern and defend the nation. King Chinhung became a monk. (Several Shilla kings ordained, and their queens and families often followed the example). The arts flourished during the Shilla Period.
Won-hyo
The great scholar Won-hyo was born in a simple family. He renounced his religious life in order to better serve the people. Married for a short time to a princess, he had one son. As a scholar, he wrote many important treatises. His philosophy revolved around the unity and the interrelatedness of all things. Searching for a teacher at that time, many monks went to China to study Buddhism. Won-hyo and his close friend, Ui- sang, also set out for China together. On the way to China
Won-hyo awoke one evening thirsty and searching around, he found a container... Realizing that it was no longer necessary for him to go to China to find a teacher, he returned home.
Won-hyo's Awakening
Master Ui-sang continued the journey. After ten years of study under a great Chinese master, Ui-sang offered a special gift to his teacher: a poem in the shape of a seal which, when written down, geometrically represents infinity. This poem contains the essence of the
Avatamsaka Sutra (the "Flower Garland Discourse," a long, latter-day Mahayana text purporting to explain the universe). It is one of the greatest offerings of the Korean people to the world.
During the Shilla Period, the people were so devoted that some kings became Buddhists and took on Buddhist names for themselves and their families. Places were also renamed according to the faraway "holy land" of India at the time of the Buddha.
Interestingly, incense was introduced from China during this period. The people, not knowing its use, thought it magical and (successfully) employed it to cure disease!
Choson (1392-1910)
With the downfall of the Koryo Dynasty in 1392, Buddhism slowly declined as the new rulers of the Choson Dynasty adopted Neo-Confucianism. Priviously, many Buddhist monks had become overly involved in politics resulting in royal strife. The new interest in Confucianism led to the oppression and restriction of Buddhism by some Choson kings:
Temples could not be built near towns but instead had to be constructed in the mountains; many temples were pulled down; monks were looked down on and, for some years, they were not permitted to enter the capital city.
While some kings persecuted Buddhism, the commoners continued to go to the temples. At the beginning of the Choson Dynasty, geomancers were consulted in order to find the ideal site for a new capital. They chose an ancient place called Hanyang [not modern Gangnam], which was then renamed "Seoul."
It has been the center of culture and learning on the peninsula ever since. The name means "capital" in Korean and was probably derived from the ancient Indian city closest and dearest to the Buddha, Sravasti. In Chinese, it became "Sarobol" and finally "Seoul" in Korean....
Modern
In 1910, the Choson Dynasty came to an end with the annexation of Korea to Japan. During the Colonial Period, Buddhism was greatly favored and supported by the Japanese government. However, the celibate sects were discouraged and monks were encouraged to take wives.
Abbots, heads of temples, were appointed by the Japanese occupation authorities. And many Buddhist art treasures were taken to Japan. Today Buddhists, in cooperation with the Korean government, are negotiating with Japan for their return. In 1945 after liberation, celibate ordained members of the main sect of Kordan Buddhism,
Chogye, superseded the married monks who had taken over the main temples during the Japanese occupation. Large numbers of men and women were ordained and there was a great revival of Korean Buddhism.
Recently, many new temples and centers have opened in the town. Programs for people of all ages include learning to chant, studying, all night meditation classes, and social gatherings. About half the population of Korea is Buddhist. Most Koreans, without calling themselves Buddhists, maintain a Buddhist view of life and the after life, this world and the world to come.
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