Asian Studies

In Buddhism, it is believed that human beings, nature spirits and inanimate forms possess spirits. Korean Buddhism came into existence as a result of a blend between Chinese Buddhism and Korean Shamanism although the teachings of Buddha remained the same (BiK 3).Due to this fact, the real rituals of Buddhism are merged with Shamanism resulting into an ecumenical approach in thought and practice. The following paper will discuss introduction of Buddhism in Korea and site examples of its artificial nature compared to the original Buddhism.

History
Korean Buddhism is practiced in South Korea also known as Republic of Korea in northeast Asia. Buddhism developed in South Korea during the Three Kingdoms that is Koguryo, Paekje and Shilla. It was introduced from China in the 372 A.D. by a monk, who brought with him Chinese texts and statutes when he was invited from China to the northern Kingdom of Koguryo. In China, Buddhists believed in the law of cause and effect which is, one would reap what he sow and in the search for happiness a philosophy that had much in common with the indigenous Shaman beliefs. This made absorption of Buddhism by the people of Koguryo and subsequently to Paekje and Shilla respectively was quick (BiK 5).

It therefore combined with the original Shamanism whose origin in Korea is still not yet known. As Shamanism is the ancient religion of animism and worship of nature-spirits, it easily merged with Buddhism which did not differ with the rites of nature worship. This led to the establishment of Buddhist temples on special mountains where spirits were believed to reside before the introduction of Buddhism. Buddhists even set aside shrines in some temples for the Mountain Spirit, Sanshin depicted as an old man with a tiger at his feet, Toksong, or the Recluse, and Chilsong (the spirit of the seven stars, the Big Dipper) who were important and specially revered in Korean Shamanism. Buddhism then underwent renewal when colonization by the Japanese came to an end in 1945 (BiK 4)

Four special features characterize Korean Buddhism. These are Bodhisattva principles which embody generosity, good conduct, vigor, patience, meditation and wisdom as its perfections (BiK 6) unification which led to the formation of the Unified Shilla Period after it brought the people on the peninsula together hence social harmony, openness and the mundane.

Approach of Korean Buddhism
Buddhist thought is practically oriented and aims to attain Buddha hood at individual level, and save living beings at the social level. This goal is attained through use of skills. Living beings regardless of religion form the basis of salvation in Buddhism. Therefore Buddhism, Korean Buddhism included is inclusive and tolerant (KE 2).Together with the concept of Buddhist schools, it is evident that Korean Buddhism adopted all concepts of Buddhism (Jeon, 275).

Korean Buddhism is  portrayed as ecumenical as it incorporates both Shamanism and Buddhist systems although it incorporated all concepts of Buddhism. The synthetic feature of Korean Buddhism is well reflected in the inclusion of diverse faith systems in the Korean Buddhist prayer books. The most commonly used Buddhist prayer book in Korea is Seokmun Euibeom or the Guide Book for Buddhist Rituals that records diverse rituals. Within them all Buddhists thoughts and faith systems are intermingled. Hua-yen system is the most prominent among the variety of faith system. This is also confirmed by the worship for Buddha and Bodhisattvas in the Worship, and the chanting of Beopseongge and the Hua-Yen (Jeon, 275).
Misconceptions resulted from the diverse system of faith in Korean Buddhism leading to arguments and conflicts. Various people tried to resolve this by coming up with philosophies aimed at unifying the different Buddhism sects and reforming Buddhism  (KE 2).

Wonhyo, an intellectual according to Korean history used a symbolic thought of Korean Buddhism (KE 2) to warn against rigidity of doctrines and noble domination on Buddhism. He attempted to create a practical Buddhism that was oriented towards the common people. Buddhist research found his work to systemize and integrate Buddhisms diverse doctrines very important.

In an approach known as Hwajaeng-sasang, Wonhyo came up with the philosophy of reconciliation and harmonization. This was in the effort to harmonize and integrate different viewpoints of the various Buddhist sects. With time, conflicts and arguments arose due to different interpretations of this philosophy. To avoid this, he stressed the principle of harmonization of disputes which unified the total view of Buddhist doctrines and created a unique synthesis of Buddhist thought (BMIS 1).

He harmonized all contradictions and disputes by admitting traits of each doctrine emphasizing the teaching that all phenomena are merely products of the mind and urged people to awaken to this fact (KE 2) Wonhyo always focused on oneness, the interconnection of everything with the whole universe. As a result the philosophy of one mind was introduced from his Hwajaeng-sasang. This philosophy teaches that true understanding is attained if one is enlightened and has oneness of mind. As it was embraced by many people it made Buddhism very popular. This way, with his life, he unified doctrine and behavior while he constantly popularized Buddhism, portraying practical orientation (KE 2).

Uicheon used teaching to seek the standard points of Seon and Doctrine. He was a National Master during the Koryo period and tried to re-establish organized Buddhism and bring unity to the Koryo society. During the late-Shilla and early-Koryo period ,the Buddhist order  became corrupt and so he tried to change it focusing majorly around the royal house (KE 2).

As the Unified Shilla period was coming to an end, son Buddhism suddenly expanded following a movement that was centered on the Nine Mountains meditation schools. It emphasized personal cultivation and rejected the royal house central control and doctrinal orders and thus advanced the trend towards regional power centers. Doctrinal orders declined as son Buddhism expanded and doctrinal Buddhism required funds from the royal house so as to publish Buddhist sutras and written works.  Uicheon, noticed the risk and intervened by promoting  religious practice based on both doctrinal learning (Kyo) and meditation (son). However, his approach only led to doctrinal studies acceptance of son in a minimal way (KE 2).

As a practical methodology, Jinul on the other hand, developed the practices of the Three Gateways from his belief of Sudden Awakening and Gradual Cultivation. This philosophy teaches in relation to the mind of Buddha which he said was similar to ones original nature and is based on awakening the true nature of the mind before it is gradually cultivated through meditation and wisdom. Unlike Uicheon, he attempted to reform Buddhism from within the son sect. Jinul gathered a group of seekers who rejected fame and profit and went to live a secluded life devoted to pure religious cultivation during the troubled atmosphere of the military coup in 1170 in Korea. The group was called the Samadhi and Prajna or concentration and wisdom community as their practice included meditation and doctrinal studies(KE 2).

By developing this small, dedicated community of religious practitioners devoted to the dual cultivation of son (meditation) and Kyo (doctrine) he was seeking to restructure the Buddhist world. Today, for most of the Korean son school the community serves as a role model. Though Korean Buddhism still accepted doctrinal studies as being in harmony with son, they began to favor son Buddhism after Jinul. The Korean son school is as a result, much more inclusive and integrated than its Chinese or Japanese counterparts (KE 2).
Both Uicheon and Jinul built philosophies that were majorly concerned with the unification of son and Kyo as they sought to reform Buddhism from their particular historical surroundings point of view (KE 2) whereas Jinul and Wonhyo both believed that all events are as a result of what is in the mind. All the three aimed at unifying other Buddhism sects especially Korean Buddhism due to its diverse beliefs.