South Korea Travel Tips

Overview of Korean Buddhism

Buddhism exercised a far-reaching influence on Korean culture throughout its long history. Everywhere in the country its invaluable heritage abides in buildings, sculptures, paintings, and handicraft works.

Major Temples Bulguksa Temple Haeinsa Temple Tongdosa Temple Songgwangsa Temple Hwaeomsa Temple Naejangsa Temple Seonunsa Temple

Jogyesa Temple Ssanggyesa Temple Beomeosa Temple Haedong Yonggungsa Temple Buseoksa Temple Woljeongsa Temple Jeondeungsa Temple

Temple Stay

• What is a Temple Stay?
  A Temple Stay is a cultural-experience program designed to help people better understand Buddhism in Korea. Temple stays offer various kinds of practicing methods, such as Yebul (ceremonial service involving chanting), Chamseon (Zen meditation), Dahdoh (tea ceremony) and Balwoo Gongyang (communal meal practice). Participants can find their 'true self' harmonized with nature while staying at a temple. Temple Life, the experience of temples without lodging, is another program designed to help people understand Buddhism in Korea.
• Main program
  Devotional Chanting at Yebul, Ceremonial Service (Yebul)
  Yebul is a Ceremonial Service to praise Buddha. This solemn ceremonial service is held 3 times a day; in the morning, midday and evening helping to clear the mind.
• Zen Meditation (Chamseon)
  Zen is known as Seon in the Korean language.
  Chamseon is a form of meditation that allows a person to reflect on oneself.
  There are two forms of this meditation:
  - Jwaseon(坐禪) ; sitting -style meditation
  - Haengseon(行禪) ; walking-style meditation.
• Communal Meal Practice (Balwoo gongyang)
  Balwoo gongyang is a unique and special way of eating in Korean Temples. At this communal meal practice the meal is eaten in total silence, and not a single grain of rice is wasted.
• Tea Ceremony (Dahdoh)
  Making and enjoying good tea is one of the practices of the Buddhist religion.
  Koreans say that there are several ways to enjoy a good tea. One should start off by enjoying the sounds of the water boiling, and then relax with the soothing aroma of the tea and seeing the soft and subtle colors. Lastly, one can feel the warmth of the tea radiating through the cup and slowly savor the taste.
  ※ There are many more activities, such as lotus lantern making, impression making with ink and paper, and folk games available at Korean temples.

History

Korea was first introduced to the protestant religion by western missionaries in the 19th century. In 1884, R.S. Maclay of the Northern Methodist church received permission to establish educational institutions and medical facilities. This resulted in the establishment of the first hospital, Jejungwon Hospital, and the first modern school known as Baejae Hakdang. Subsequently, while American missionaries, H.G. Underwood of the Northern Presbyterian Church and H.G. Appenzeller of the Northern Methodist Church visited Korea they actively organized missionary activities. Simultaneously, Protestantism was creating a renaissance of sorts, with more liberal thoughts on issues of equality and woman's rights, which the strict Confucian hierarchical tradition would not permit. This liberalization allowed those oppressed, and even imprisoned, to enjoy new freedoms. These freedoms came to an end during the Japanese Colonial Period (1910 ~1945) when the Japanese pushed Shintoism on the Korean people and oppressed all other religions resulting in many martyrs. After liberation, in 1945, Korea once again began to experience religious freedom. In 1984, Korea celebrated its 100th anniversary of Protestantism in Korea.

Protestantism in Today's Society

Approximately 38% of the population that has a religion is Protestant, with the other two major religions being Catholicism and Buddhism (statistics from 1985). Branches of the protestant religion in Korea include the Lutheran, Episcopal, Methodist, and the Presbyterian, just to name a few. Some of the most well-known churches are Yeouido Full Gospel Church, Somang Presbyterian Church, Onnuri Church, and the Sarang Community Church. The Yeoido Full Gospel Church is recognized not only for large structural size, but also for its approximate 700,000 worshipers. Recently, many churches are offering sermons in foreign languages along with diverse activities for foreigners every Sunday.

Jeong-dong Church, Korea's first protestant church, offers visitors a historical look at Protestantism in Korea. Located behind Deoksugung Palace and designated historic treasure No. 256, this church was built in 1896 in a American-style of architecture. Known for its simple beauty, it attracts those looking for a lovely spot, while at the same time fulfilling the interests of those fascinated with the Church's historical background.


Prominent Churches

1.Yeoido Full Gospel Church
- Address: 11 Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul
- Homepage: http://yfgc.fgtv.com/
(English, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, French, Spanish, Russian, German)
- Foreign Language Services, every Sunday:
English: 10:50 a.m.
Japanese and Spanish: 3:00 p.m.
Chinese: 6:00 p.m.
* Church offers internet broadcasts of Sunday's sermons in each language listed above.

2.Onnuri Church

- Address: 241-96 Seobinggo-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
- Homepage: http://www.onnuri.or.kr/ (Korean)
- Foreign Language Services, every Sunday:
English: 4:00 p.m.
Chinese: 1:40 p.m.
Japanese: 11:00 a.m.

3.Sarang Community Church

- Address: 1310-16, Seocho 4-dong, Seoul
- Homepage: http://www.sarang.org/ (English, Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Spanish, Russian)
- English Services, every Sunday: 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m.

4.Somang Presbyterian Church

- Address: 624 Sinsa-don, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
- Homepage: http://www.somang.or.kr/ (English, Korean)
- English Services: 1:30 p.m.

History Catholicism first reached Korea after the Japanese invasion of 1592-1598, when the well-traveled Sugwang Lee read the writings of Mateo Ricci and introduced them to Korea in his books on Catholicism. Furthermore, in Beijing, Gyun Heo (1569-1618) obtained Catholic texts and returned with them to Korea, becoming one of Korea's first Catholic followers. At the time the Catholic Church was established in Korea, during the latter part of the 18th century, the omnipresent Confucian society severely oppressed Catholics. This continued until the end of the 19th century. Some of the most well-known cases of mass persecutions are the Sinyu Persecution of 1801, Gihae Persecution of 1839, Byeongo Persecution 1846, and the Byeongin Persecution of 1866. In 1876, as Korea was opening its doors to the west, conditions for Catholics began to improve. This period of improvement ran into some obstacles during the Japanese Colonial Period of 1910-1945, when the Japanese ruling authority oppressed Catholics. During this time the Catholic Church managed to keep education, medical care, and other missionary works alive. From this period on, Catholicism penetrated Korea's society with a major increase in the number of churches and believers. In 1969, Cardinal Su -hwan Kim was appointed the archbishop of the Seoul Archdiocese, and in 1989, Pope John Paul II visited Seoul to attend the 44th International Eucharistic Congress.

Catholicism in Today's Society

Presently, Korea's three major religions are Catholicism, Protestantism, and Buddhism. Some of Korea's most famous cathedrals include Myeong-dong Cathedral and Cheon-dong Cathedral. There are many other historical Catholic sites remaining in Korea, including Jeoldusan Martyrs' Shrine in Seoul, Jeoldusan Martyrs' Memorial Museum, and Martyrs' Mountain (Chimyeongjasan). Among these historical sites, the Myeong-dong Cathedral is regarded as the symbol of Catholicism in Korea. The cathedral was completed in 1898 in a western-style of gothic architecture.

• Myeong-dong Catholic Church in Seoul
• Myeong-dong Catholic Church in Seoul
• Martyrs' Mountain (Chimyeongjasan) in Jeonju
• Jeoldusan Martyrs' Shrine
• Jeoldusan Martyrs' Museum

Various shamanistic practices are well developed in Korea. Korean shamanism has deep roots in folk beliefs from ancient times. It is closely related to the primitive cult of communal worship rites offered to the gods of heaven, and infused with Buddhist tradition. History In ancient times these heavenly rites doubled as agricultural rites in prayers for abundant harvests. Shamanism thrived during the time of the Three Kingdoms Period (B.C. 57-A.D. 676) and the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392), whereas it was oppressed during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) and the Japanese Colonial Period (1910-1945). The Joseon Dynasty's mainly Confucius society did not allow the practice of Shamanism to flourish, but it was tolerated. All folk religions were forbidden under the Japanese Colonial Period. Post-liberation Korean shamanism was further weakened over time as a result of modernization and westernization. However, even with the development of a technological society, shamanism still influences parts of Korean life.

Unique characteristics

One trait which distinguishes Korean shamanism is that it seeks to solve human problems through a meeting between humanity and the spirits mediated by the shaman. This characteristic is clearly seen in the various types of the 'gut' (shamanistic rite) which are still widely observed today.
The 'gut' is a rite in which the shaman offers a sacrifice to the spirits and, through singing and dancing, begs them to intercede in the fortunes of the world. The shaman wears a colorful ritual costume, speaks in a trance as a spiritual oracle, and sings and dances to the accompaniment of music.
Three elements are seen as essential in a 'gut': the spirits as the object of folk belief, the believers praying to those spirits, and the shaman mediating between the spirits and the believers. The 'gut' will vary depending on the regional variations and purposes, but some of the most representative are the 'byeolsin gut' which asks the gods for peace and an abundant harvest, the 'byeong gut' asking for the recovery of sick family members, and the 'nara gut' which asks the gods that the demands of the king be met. There is also the 'village gut' that brings together local townspeople to perform ancestral rites ceremonies; festivals are also held to bring regions together. Gangneung is one area that still holds the 'Gangneung Dano Gut' every May fifth.

Shamanism in today's society Parts of Shamanism still exist in modern society. It can be seen in 'mudang' (a shaman, usually female), 'jeomjip' (fortune telling establishments), 'gut', and 'saju cafes' (fortune telling cafes). The overall strength of Shamanism has decreased partially due to Christianity spreading its roots throughout Korea, but in times when a decision must be made or one struggles with an obstacle in life, fortune tellers are still sought out. Employment, examinations, and wedding matters are all common reasons for people to see fortune tellers. Peoples' fortunes and misfortunes can be predicted through the shaman. Some fortune telling establishments have become so well-known for their accurate predictions that they not only cater to everyday people, but also to celebrities. The Miari area is home to many fortune telling establishments in Seongbuk-gu. Recently, many young people are going to 'saju cafes' to have their fortunes read while enjoying a cup of coffee. Here they can tell the fortune teller their date and time of birth for a reading. Sinchon, Apgujeong, and E-dae Ap are hot spots for 'saju cafes.'