Buddhism
Arrived from China in the 4th century, when Korea was divided into three kingdoms (Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla). It was particularly under the Silla kingdom that Buddhism reached its zenith.
Buddhism was the official religion until the 14th century. Then, under the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910), Confucianism was adopted. Allowing only the worship of the king, the Confucian elite forbade Buddhists access to the cities. As a result, many temples were built in the mountains. Despite this, the previous ten centuries played an active part in unifying Korean culture, offering paintings, sculptures and, above all, a rich architectural heritage. Most of the country's national treasures come from Buddhist culture. Many of these can be admired at the National Museum in the city of Gyeongju.
There are several orders in the country, but 90% of Buddhists belong to the Jogye branch, representative of traditional Korean Buddhism. Korean Buddhism is in the lineage of seon(chan in China and zen in Japan), but it is also imbued with an element of shamanism. It's difficult for our Western societies to imagine what Buddhism is and what it consists of. It's more a philosophy of life than a religion. For the rest of his life, man follows a path towards enlightenment, his quest being the search for wisdom and unalterable happiness. This involves accepting our duality, pain and conflict, with the aim of overcoming them. The reference tool is meditation. Funnily enough, some Korean words come directly from Buddhist vocabulary: 공부하다gongbu (to study) 천국 cheonguk (paradise) and 의식 uisik (ritual)...
For those more interested, it's possible to share meals and nights with monks in the very heart of a temple. It's a great opportunity to immerse oneself in a religiosity that is quite foreign to us.
Catholicism and Protestantism
The end of the 18th century saw the birth of Catholicism. It's interesting to note that, unlike in many countries, Christianity didn't take hold in Korea. Instead, Korea sought it out and, in a way, "self-evangelized" itself. The young Korean intellectual Hong Yu-Han discovered old books dating back to the time of the evangelization of China. He made these books and their dogmas his own. He began to practice prayer and the Lord's Day. Later, he "recruited" a friend of his, Lee Seung-Hun. The latter went to China and met a number of Jesuits, including Father Grammont. It was with him that he was baptized in January 1784. He returned to Korea and set an example. The small core of new Christians took charge of evangelization. But the government took a dim view of this religion, and it was banned in 1785. Despite numerous violent persecutions in the 19th century, the Church held firm. Finally, in 1883, the Korean kingdom granted freedom of religion. A few years later, the first churches were built.
This freedom of religion led to the arrival of Protestantism. It blossomed with the presence of English-speaking missionaries in 1885. The development of charitable hospitals and schools helped evangelization. Later, under the Japanese occupation, Protestantism represented a form of resistance to the Shintoism that Japan wished to establish. But its heyday came after the Second World War, when South Korea's first president, Lee Syng-Man, was himself a Methodist Protestant. Today, this Christian faith is growing steadily in Korea. At night, in the big cities, the number of red crosses dotting the urban landscape is impressive.
Shamanism
Shamanism is based on the belief that spirits have the power to influence human life. They can heal or ensure success and a happy future. Its characteristic dances, songs and incantations are an integral part of Korean folklore. Shamanism is without doubt the peninsula's first religion. Although many Koreans regard it as a slightly offbeat form of faith, shamanism is nonetheless fundamental to traditional Korean culture. This religion has been present since its origins and is still very much alive today. There are fortune-telling cafés where female shamans(mudang) assist Koreans in the most important stages of their lives. Some cultural heritages stem directly from this. Pansori, for example, is a traditional Korean narrative song. It derives entirely from the shamanic ceremony known as gut, once very popular in the southern part of the country.
This ancestral cult, present before the arrival of Buddhism, easily influenced the latter. Indeed, the ceremonies of communication with spirits, ancestors or nature spirits, in no way run counter to Buddhist dogma. Evidence of this cordial understanding can be found in the temples. Small altars dedicated to the god of the surrounding mountain or another local god can easily be seen.
Taoism
Korea has received a great deal from China, and the same is true of this philosophy, which we owe to Lao-Tzu. As with Buddhism, wisdom is to be attained. This path is based on agreement and union with oneself. But there's an added dimension: you have to be in harmony with the world. A vital force flows through the world. It's the logical order of things. The governing energies can then offer the best. Unfortunately for her, this philosophy was stifled by Buddhism and Confucianism, whose resonance was far greater.
Confucianism
From the 14th century onwards, throughout the Joseon period (1392-1910), the heyday of Buddhism was overshadowed by the philosophical doctrine of Confucianism. This moral code of Chinese origin, which we owe to Confucius, seeks to bring peace and harmony to families and society as a whole. It's a fairly strict codification in which each person has his or her own role to play, and must adhere to it. All forms of authority must be respected: governmental, parental or professorial. It emphasizes virtues such as loyalty and filial piety... Today, Confucianism is still present in many aspects of Korean life, from weddings to funerals, although it is losing ground with the younger generations. One thing is immutable, however: Korea is the land of respect.
South Korea is a country that has always been fervent about theology and metaphysics. Cults, doctrines, dogmas and other beliefs, as diverse as they are, rub shoulders, influence each other and together shape the religious and spiritual panorama of South Korea.
Some popular beliefs and superstitions..
Superstitions are also a form of belief. Korea has its own superstitions, and they are alive and well in the home. Here are a few of them:
Before an exam, eat food that sticks so that the knowledge is fixed.
Don't whistle at night , as it attracts ghosts.
Writing a person's name in red will cause their death.
Dreaming of a pig is a sign that you're going to make money.
And yes, Korea too has its black cat, just like any other country!
