Buddhism in Korea
In Korea its own form of Buddhism has arisen, due to its geographical location, traditions and national character. Buddhism first appeared on a large scale in 372 in the Goguryeo Empire. Two years later, in 374, the influential Chinese monk Ado came to Korea and persuaded King Sosurim to embrace Buddhism. The first two temples, Seongmunsa and Ilbullansa , were built in 375 after the king had commissioned them. Buddhism soon established itself as the national religion of Goguryeo.
When Daoism spread in 624, the rulers began to suppress Buddhism. The influence of the Buddhist monks subsequently decreased sharply. The kingdom of Baekje really flourished under Buddhism. In 552, Buddhist scriptures were sent from Baekje to Japan . This paved the way for Buddhism to enter Japan .
In the Silla Empire, Buddhism became the state religion. During the reign of Jinheung from ( 540-576 ) Buddhism flourished for the first time in Korea. The Heungnyunsa Temple was built. This temple was unique because people of simple origins could become monks in it. After Silla united the three realms , Buddhism experienced a heyday of about 250 years. This position of Buddhism continued under King Taejo , who founded the Goryeo empire and the Goryeo dynasty under the name of King Wang Geon . Pagodas and other Buddhist structures were erected throughout the empire . In the end times of the Goryeo empire, the Buddhist orders were drawn into the maelstrom of rampant corruption. A movement against Buddhism gained popularity and the old system was drowned in chaos. The founder of the new Joseon Dynasty restored order. King Yi Seing-gye was a Buddhist, but he diminished the influence of Buddhist monks on politics. The monks were later treated as outcasts but not prevented from practicing their religion. Buddhism has left a rich cultural legacy in Korea , in the form of the Tripitaka Koreana , numerous temples, statues of Buddha and other art objects.
Korean Buddhism currently consists primarily of the Seon lineage, which is closely related to the Mahayana tradition and the Chinese Chan , from which Japanese Zen arose.
literature
- Buswell, Robert E. (2005). Currents and countercurrents: Korean influences on the East Asian Buddhist traditions. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 0824827627
- Hong-bae Yi, Taehan Pulgyo Chogyejong (1996). Korean Buddhism. Kum Sok Publishing Co., Ltd. ISBN 89-86821-00-1 .
- Muller, A. Charles (1995). "The Key Operative Concepts in Korean Buddhist Syncretic Philosophy; Interpenetration and Essence-Function in Wŏnhyo, Chinul and Kihwa" ( December 29, 2009 memento in the Internet Archive ), Bulletin of Toyo Gakuen University , vol. 3 (1995), pp. 33-48
- Vermeersch, Sem. (2008). The Power of the Buddhas: the Politics of Buddhism during the Koryǒ Dynasty (918-1392). Cambridge: Harvard University Press. ISBN 0674031881
- Yoon Seung Yong (2012), The Movement to Reform Korean Buddhism , Korea Journal 52. No. 3, pp. 35 ~ 63
- Pori Park (2005). Korean Buddhist reforms and problems in the adoption of modernity during the colonial period ( Memento from April 26, 2014 in the Internet Archive ), Korean Journal pp. 67-113
Web links
- Charles Muller (1996). Korean Buddhism ( Memento from April 24, 2014 in the Internet Archive )
- The history of Korean Zen Buddhism (German)
- Buddhism in North Korea ( Memento from May 16, 2012 in the Internet Archive )