| Korean
Buddhism
Buddhism , arriving in Korean during the
Three Kingdoms era, was accepted first by Koguryo and subsequently
by Paekche and Shilla. Since then not only has Buddhism continued
to play a great role in our national ethical life over the last
1600 years, but after being transmitted to Japan. Buddhism also
formed the foundation for the formation of Japanese culture.
Buddhism in Korea has put more value on the
redemption of ordinary people than on individual enlightenment.
Korean Buddhism is called Mahayana, and endeavors to practice
a benevolence that corresponds whit the Humanism found I our
traditional ideals.
Another characteristic of Korean Buddhism is
the harmonious unification of various differing theories - a
trait which reveals the wisdom of our ancestors who sought to
promote harmony.
In the unified Shilla Kingdom era , Buddhism
was divided into two main sects; the non - son Buddhism, or
sutra oriented teaching : and , son Buddhism or meditation oriented
doctrine of enlightenment. Wonhyo, a great Buddhist priest ,
established his own form of Buddhism based on the theory of
harmony and difference. Although focusing on one sprit , he
recognized the doctrines of many other sects. Until this age
Buddhism was largely the belief of the aristocratic classes,
however Wonhyo clarified the true meaning of Mahayana Buddhism
by evangelizing at the grassroot levels of society as well.
In the Koryo period , Uichon stated "non-son
Buddhism only emphasize the study of the sutra, while Buddhism
only seeks spiritual awakening through meditation." He
urged that these two sects be unified so as to achieve a harmony
between the sutra and meditation.
His contemporary , Chinul , believed that the
two could not be separated since originally the sutras were
a record of the Buddha*s words and Son a record of his mind
. According to his assertion , enlightenment is achieved in
spite of oneself, requiring self-cultivation over a long time
and through many hardships so that spiritual awakening and self-cultivation
cannot be separated from one another.
Another special trait of Korean Buddhism was
its role in the protection of the nation. In unified Shilla,
many Buddhist temples and pagodas were built in the hopes that
these would bring blessings and peace to both the nation and
the people. When the Mongols invaded in the Koryo Dynasty. Our
ancestors published the Tripataka(the complete Buddhist sutras
carved on wooden blocks) published in the belief it would help
them drive out the invaders. In the Choson Dynasty , warrior
corps of monks were organized to defeat Japanese invaders. |
