Traditional Korean thought
From Free net encyclopedia
Traditional Korean thought has been influenced by a number of religious and philosophical thought-systems over the years. As the main influences onto life in Korea, often Shamanism, Buddhism, Confucianism, as well as Taoism are mentioned. These movements have shaped Korean life and thought over the millennia.
Contents |
Shamanism
- See main article: Korean Shamanism
Traditional rites and shamanistic practices that have developed in Korea. They have deep roots and have inter-influenced Buddhism and Taoism. Of late, Shaman influence can be seen in Korean Christianity. In contemporary Korean, a shaman is known as a mudang.
Even though belief in Korean shamanism is not as widespread as it once was, the practices are kept alive. Korean shamanism is distinguished by its seeking to solve human problems through a meeting of humanity and the spirits. This can be seen clearly in the various types of gut that are still widely observed.
Buddhism
- See main articles: Korean Buddhism, Korean Buddhist Temples
Korean Buddhism refined on ideas originally introduced from China. Korean Buddhist thinkers refined their Chinese predecessors' ideas into a distinct form. Korean Buddhism then went on to have strong effects on Buddhism in Japan and the West, though Japanese monks such as Kukai went to China directly to study Buddhism, and in the case of the West, more and more influence comes from Tibet. Korean Buddhism consists mostly of the Seon lineage, which is derivative of the Chen(Zen) Buddhism of China.
Buddhist temples can be found in most parts of Korea and many are considered national treasures.
Confucianism
- See main article: Korean Confucianism
One of the most substantial influences in Korean intellectual history was the introduction of Confucian thought as part of the cultural exchange from China. Today the legacy of Confucianism remains a fundamental part of Korean society, shaping the moral system, the way of life, social relations between old and young, high culture, and is the basis for much of the legal system.
Taoism
- See main article: Korean Taoism
Korean Taoism is largely shaped by writings by Chuang Tzu.