The Distinguishing Aspects of Korean Buddhism

관리자
2020-06-22
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WRITER : Koreasah    

DATE : 2004-11-30 오후 1:43:49

 


1. The Incorporation of Existing Culture into Early Buddhist Tradition


From the time when Buddhism first planted its roots in Korean soil there has always been a very harmonious and productive interrelationship with the established indigenous folk beliefs and practices. From the beginning Buddhism was able to establish a base for itself peacefully and harmoniously alongside the dominant belief-systems such as Shamanism and Animistic beliefs. Busshism did not deny or exclude the existing beliefs just because their ideas were different from Buddhist teaching. Rather, many such beliefs were slowly absorbed into the world of Buddhism through harmony and edification. Unlike the great monotheistic religions, which throughout their history have often spread and taken root in new lands through conflict and sometimes outright suppression of native religious traditions, Korean Buddhism in its 1700 year history has never acted like that. This is why in many Buddhist temples you will see traces of early native tradition, such as shrines for making offerings to the Mountainsprits and the Big Dipper.


2. Protecting the Nation


Since Buddhism was introduced into the Three Kingdoms, it has played a distinctive role as a defender of the people against a long and painful history of foreign invasions. Korean Buddhism has always given great thought to national development and safety. Whenever there have been difficulties in Korea the Buddhist tradition has played its own role. For example, in the Three Kingdom Era, Buddhism conducted vast ceremonies praying for national well-being, and in the time of the Goh Tyur Dynasty(918-1392 AD) the enormous Buddhist Canon was carved on eighty-thousand wooden blocks as a means of defending the country against foreign invasion, and finally, during the Joh Surn Dynasty(1392-1910 AD) Buddhist mons took the lead in raising monastic armies to protect the country from Japanese invaders.


3. Harmonization of All Buddhism


Unlike the Buddhism of India, which places great emphasis on abstract principles, or Chinese Buddhism which is strongly marked by sectarian differences, Korean Buddhism has pointed toward the harmonization of Buddhism by integrating the myriad expressions of the Buddha″s teaching and enlightment. Venerable Won Hyoh suhnim(617-686 AD) founded a Unified Buddhism on the premise of harmony, unification, and reconciliation. He gave recognition to the relative value of each sect but was not confined to any one of them, skillfully dealing with ideological confrontations and conflicts and harmonizing theory and practice. In other words he promoted a philosophy wherein the individual view contains the whole and the whole contains the individual; such a world view, rather than distinguishing and separating you from me, serves to integrate us.


4. Seon Buddhism


Korean Buddhism is reknowln throughout the world for its faithful observance of the tradition and practice of Seon Buddhism. Seon Buddhism first came to Korea from China at the end of the Unified Sil Lah period(668-935AD). It was different from the Doctrinal School which put more value on sutras or scriptures. Seon Buddhism emphasizes that anyone can become a Buddha by attaining enlight for themselves, not by relying on theory but by focusing on self-practice.


- From the Book GUIDE TO KOREAN BUDDHIST TEMPLE

 


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