| How far would you go to prove your faith?
Would you allow, even argue for yourself to be beheaded? In
the famous Samguk Yusa, a text which details legends and
histories of Korea from the three kingdoms time-period, it is
written that King Beopung wanted to build a Buddhist Temple,
but his courtiers did not obey him. One young clerk in the
court stepped forward and informed the King that should that
royal behead him, before his blood was done gushing from his
body, something would happen which would turn the hearts of
all towards the Buddha. The King at first would not agree, but
finally understood the sincerity of the young monk. In public
he accused him of being a lax worker and ridiculed him for his
robes and shaven head. The young man was not afraid. As the
executioner stood over him he announced that if the Buddha was
worth believing in, after his death all would behold a
miracle. When the blade bit through his neck, his head flew up
into the sky, and his blood gushed out white and pale as milk.
A great storm arose that frightened even the dragons and
tigers of the kingdom with its fury. After that everyone
believed in the truth of Buddhism. Buddhism was actually
introduced to Korea in the 4th century AD. The earliest monk
to set foot in Korea was a Chinese monk who entered the
Kogoryeo Kingdom in 372. A few years later, in 384 an Indian
monk arrived on the peninsula, in territory held by the
Baekjae Kingdom. Buddhism spread rapidly, as the monks were
sensible enough to seek royal patronage, however it did not
attain full acceptance in Korea until the Shilla Dynasty under
King Beopung accepted it as the state religion in
approximately 527.
To understand Korea, an elementary understanding of
Buddhism is necessary. Buddhism eventually declined due to the
rise of Confucianism and today Buddhists account for between
40 and 50% of the population depending on the polling methods.
However, Buddhism’s mark on Korea, on the culture of the
country, is as strong today as it was during its heyday. The
common form of Buddhism, Seon (or Zen to use it’s more
popularized Japanese name), involves working hard to
understand and control ones self, primarily through long
training in meditation. Before one gets to know Korean people
they may seem a bit less than friendly. They do not rush
forward to talk to strangers. Part of this comes from the
Buddhist culture of controlling ones own actions in order to
not bother others. Of course, after even a short conversation,
the warm good-humor and fun loving nature of Koreans is
apparent.
To enjoy Korea, a visit to a Buddhist temple is a must.
Korea generally is a modern country, with cities like Seoul
and Busan standing forward as the very definition of teeming
metropolis. Temples can be found in cities and in the
countryside, the most attractive are usually built on the
slopes of mountains where farming is more difficult. The
temples are often bordered by forest on at least three sides,
and generally the atmosphere is calm and peaceful. The grounds
are carefully tended, the buildings themselves the very
pinnacle of Korean traditional architecture. Historic
sculptures and monuments dot the temple grounds. Sometimes
even the wooden buildings themselves (unfortunately easy for
invading armies to torch) are hundreds of years old. On a
free-day to hike to a temple, quench your thirst with natural
spring water, look around the temple itself and enjoy a meal
made with fresh mountain ingredients can’t be beat.
Fortunately for anyone who wants to better understand and
get the most out of their visit to Korea, the Temple Stay
Korea program is available. Inaugurated in 2002, this program
offers the perfect chance for anyone to experience temple life
for a day. It’s managed by the right people, the Jogye
Buddhist Order. In 2003, during the Tripitaka Koreana Festival
(May 1st-9th), Hae’insa Temple will be hosting guests. Later
on, when the Summer Universiade (U-23 Athletic Games) is
underway, all the temples in the Daegu vicinity will have
volunteers standing by. With advance notice, the program can
be held at nearly thirty Jogye Temples around the
country. |