Korean Buddhism

Korean Buddhism began in the 4th century CE during the Three Kingdoms Period. It started centuries after Buddhism originated in India and traveled through the Silk Road to China before reaching the Korean peninsula. From Korea, Buddhism was later transmitted to Japan.

An image of Gautama Buddha at Seokguram Grotto, Gyeongju, in South Korea

In Korea, Buddhism became the state religion of three kingdoms: Goguryeo in 372 CE, Silla in 528 CE, and Baekje in 552 CE. Korean Buddhists worked to improve the Mahayana Buddhist traditions they learned from other countries. They created a new approach called Tongbulgyo, meaning "interpenetrated Buddhism." This approach tried to combine different ideas and help scholars agree.

Today, Korean Buddhism is mostly made up of the Seon Lineage, mainly represented by the Jogye and Taego Orders. Korean Seon is closely related to Chan and Zen traditions. Other groups, like the Cheontae lineage, the Jingak Order, and the newer Won group, also have many followers. Korean Buddhism has greatly influenced Buddhist thought in China, Vietnam, Japan, and Tibet.

Historical overview and development

Arrival and spread of Buddhism

Monks going down to their rooms after evening prayers at Haeinsa

Buddhism came to Korea in the year 372, long after the time of the Buddha. Before this, many people in Korea practiced shamanism, which involved worshipping nature spirits. Three important monks helped bring Buddhism to Korea during the Three Kingdoms period. They were Malananta, who came to Baekje; Sundo, who came to Goguryeo; and Ado, who came to Silla. Buddhism mixed with nature worship and shamanism, so it was allowed to grow. Many Buddhist temples today are built on mountains that were once sacred.

For a time, Buddhism was very popular and even part of the government during the Goryeo period. But later, during the Joseon period, a new idea called Neo-Confucianism became more important, and Buddhism had a hard time. Things began to improve when Buddhist monks helped fight against invaders. After World War II, a new idea called Minjung Pulgyo, meaning "Buddhism for the people," helped Buddhism grow again. Today, many people in both South and North Korea are influenced by Buddhist ideas.

Buddhism in the Three Kingdoms

Main article: Three Kingdoms of Korea

Buddhism came to Korea in the 4th century CE when the land was divided into three kingdoms: Goguryeo in the north, Baekje in the southwest, and Silla in the southeast. Korean monks traveled to China and India to learn more about Buddhism. They brought back many important writings and ideas.

During this time, several schools of Buddhist thought grew in Korea. These schools focused on understanding deep teachings, following moral rules, and exploring ideas about peace and unity. One school, called Hwaeom, became very important and lasted a long time. Korean Buddhism had a big effect on how Buddhism developed in Japan, especially during the time of the Unified Silla kingdom.

Buddhism in the North–South States Period (668–935)

In the eighth century, Korean Buddhism and its teachings were linked with prosperity.

Unified Silla (668–935)

In 668, the kingdom of Silla brought together the whole Korean peninsula, creating a time of peace that lasted about one hundred years. This peace led to a golden age of learning about Buddhism in Korea. People studied many important ideas, such as Wonyung, Yusik or East Asian Yogācāra, Jeongto or Pure Land Buddhism, and the Korean idea of Beopseong ("Dharma-nature school").

Wonhyo taught about the Pure Land way of yeombul, which became very popular with everyone. His work tried to bring together different Indian and Chinese Buddhist ideas using the Essence-Function way of thinking. This helped shape the main Korean Buddhist thought, called Beopseong, Haedong, or later Jungdo.

Wonhyo's friend Uisang traveled to Chang'an to study with teachers there. When he returned after twenty years, his work helped grow Hwaeom Buddhism. This idea also mixed into the Korean meditation tradition called Seon, changing how people practiced there.

A stone image of a Buddha, near Gyeongju, South Korea. 7th century Silla.

The smart work of Silla Buddhism led to many wonderful creations in art, writing, and building. During this time, many big and beautiful temples were built. Two famous ones are the temple Bulguksa with its shining pagodas and the cave Seokguram, known for its lovely stone carvings.

Balhae (698–926)

Buddhism also grew strongly in the northern Korean kingdom of Balhae after the fall of Goguryeo, serving as the country's official religion. Experts have found pieces from ten Buddhist temples in the old capital of Balhae, along with statues and lanterns, showing how important Buddhism was in daily life. The Balhae tomb Majeokdal near Sinpo, South Hamgyong Province, shows Buddhism also played a big role in ceremonies for the dead.

After Balhae fell, sixty monks, including Jaeung, moved to the new kingdom of Goryeo (918–1392).

Seon

Main article: Korean Seon

A new time for Korean Buddhism started in the later years of Silla with the rise of Korean Seon. In China, a way of practicing through quiet thinking, called Chan Buddhism, began in the sixth and seventh centuries. Soon this idea reached Korea, where it became known as Seon. Many people in Korea learned this quiet way of practicing from China and started their own groups in quiet mountain places. At first, there were nine groups, called the "nine mountain schools". Most of these groups came from the teachings of Mazu Daoyi, but one group, started by Ieom, came from the Caodong school.

Buddhism as state religion in the Goryeo period (918–1392)

Korean painting of Water-Moon Avalokiteshvara, 1310 CE, ink on silk, painted by Umun Kim

Rise of the Seon

During the Goryeo period, Buddhism helped the government. New Seon schools started slowly but were accepted over time. Seon became very important and got support from rulers and powerful people.

Hwaeom (Huayan) and Seon

Taegeuk

Many Buddhist schools lost influence, but the Hwaeom school stayed strong. An important monk, Gyunyeo, worked to bring Hwaeom and Seon closer. Another monk, Uicheon, brought a new school called Cheontae from China, adding more Buddhist teachings.

Jinul

The most important Seon leader was Jinul. He wanted to clean up Buddhism, which had become mixed with everyday matters. Jinul created a quiet community of monks at Songgwangsa mountain. He taught that enlightenment can happen suddenly, followed by gradual practice, using a special meditation method called hwadu. His ideas helped unite different Buddhist views.

Tripitaka Koreana at Haeinsa

Late Goryeo

Later in the Goryeo period, Buddhism faced challenges but still produced great teachers. Three famous monks—Gyeonghan Baeg'un, Taego Bou, and Naong Hyegeun—learned new methods in China and taught them in Korea. They also studied other philosophies like Confucianism and Taoism. They created the first woodblock printing of Buddhist writings, known as the Tripitaka Koreana, and the second copy is still kept today at Haeinsa in Gyeongsang.

Suppression under the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910)

In 1388, a leader named Yi Seonggye began ruling and started the Joseon dynasty in 1392. He and his followers preferred a different belief system, which made life harder for Buddhism. Fewer Buddhist schools were allowed, and many rules limited Buddhist practices.

Dalmado by Gim Myeong-guk, 17th century

Despite these difficulties, Buddhist ideas kept growing. A famous Buddhist thinker named Gihwa wrote many important books about Buddhism. During this time, the number of Buddhist temples fell, and there were many rules restricting Buddhist monks and nuns. Still, some leaders supported Buddhism. A big moment happened when Buddhist monks helped protect Korea from invaders from Japan in the late 1500s. Their help was important in stopping the invaders.

A monk named Seosan Hyujeong was very important then. He brought together different Buddhist teachings and practices. His work influenced many Buddhist teachers after him.

Buddhism under Japanese colonial rule

Buddhism and independent Korea (1945–present)

When Korea was freed from Japanese control in 1945, Buddhist monks who did not marry began taking charge of temples. The Jogye Order became the largest Buddhist group in Korea, while the Taego Order was the second largest and kept many traditional rituals.

Typical interior of a Buddhist temple

In modern times, Korean Buddhism has been changing. Some monks and nuns live in mountains for training, while others work in temples or teach. The way people practice Buddhism in Korea today mixes old traditions with new ideas.

In North Korea, the government does not support religion much, but some Buddhists still practice quietly. In South Korea, Buddhism faced challenges from leaders who favored other religions, but it has grown again through new schools, media, and efforts to connect with people. Some conflicts have happened between different religious groups, but many people are working to build peace and understanding.