| The
Hwarang Sprit
 The
Hwarang was a martial arts corp that practiced self discipline.
Hwarang youth cultivated their patriotism by training their
body and sprit through the practice of martial arts. Visits
to scenic spots also contributed to this training. Out of the
Hwarang emerged many wise and loyal ministers as well as flamboyant
general who contributed magnificently to the to the unification
of three kingdoms
In this era , the famous scholar Ch*oe Ch*I-won
left an epitaph on the tombstone of a Hwarang cadet named Nallang,
which reads as follows;
Our country had a profound truth refinement.
The origins of this teaching were detailed in the History of
Immortals. Containing Confucianism Buddhism and Taoism, it makes
a deep impression on all living things. The Hwarang, when at
home , were filial to their parents and when outside were loyal
to the king just as in the teachings of Confucius. They did
not force matters but allowed them to unfold naturally as in
the teaching of Lao Tu. They did not commit evil acts, only
good ones, as prescribed by Buddha.
Thus , we can see that the Hwarang was characterized
by the traditional ideals of respecting human beings as well
as the values of Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism.
The central spiritual ideals of the Hwarang
were contained in the "Five Precepts of the Mundane World(Sesok
Ogye)", first promoted by the Buddhist priest Wongwang
. These five precepts were; to be loyal to the kind, to be kind
obedient to one*s parents, to develop strong friendships based
on trust, not to retreat in battle , and not to kill indiscriminately
In addition , the Hwarang promoted three kinds
of virtue ;modesty, frugality and generosity. These virtues
manifest the true nature of the Hwarang. |
