🗾East Asian Art and Architecture Unit 19 – Three Kingdoms: Buddhism's Influence in Korea

Historical Context

• Buddhism arrived in Korea during the Three Kingdoms period (57 BCE - 668 CE) through cultural exchanges with China
• The three kingdoms, Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla, each embraced Buddhism at different times and to varying degrees
  • Goguryeo, the northernmost kingdom, was the first to officially accept Buddhism in 372 CE
  • Baekje, in the southwest, adopted Buddhism in 384 CE through the influence of the Indian monk Marananta
  • Silla, in the southeast, was the last to accept Buddhism in 527 CE but later became a strong center of Buddhist learning and culture
• The spread of Buddhism in Korea was facilitated by the support of royal patrons and the establishment of monasteries and temples
• Buddhism coexisted with indigenous shamanic practices and Confucian ideals, leading to a unique syncretic religious landscape in Korea
• The unification of the Three Kingdoms under Silla in 668 CE led to the further spread and consolidation of Buddhist influence throughout the Korean peninsula

Key Figures and Events

• King Sosurim of Goguryeo officially recognized Buddhism as the state religion in 372 CE and built the first Buddhist temple in Korea, Seongmunsa
• Monk Ado, a Goguryeo monk, traveled to China to study Buddhism and brought back important Buddhist texts and teachings to Korea
• King Asin of Baekje supported the growth of Buddhism and sent monks to study in China, including the renowned monk Gyeomik
• Queen Seondeok of Silla, the first female ruler of the kingdom, was a strong patron of Buddhism and oversaw the construction of many temples and monasteries
  • She sent the monk Jajang to study in China, who later returned to establish the Tongdo Seongcheol, a prominent Buddhist order in Silla
• Wonhyo, a influential Silla monk, wrote extensive commentaries on Buddhist scriptures and played a significant role in reconciling different schools of Buddhist thought in Korea
• Uisang, another notable Silla monk and a disciple of Wonhyo, founded the Hwaeom school of Buddhism, which emphasized the interconnectedness of all phenomena

Buddhist Concepts and Practices

• The core teachings of Buddhism, such as the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path, were introduced to Korea during the Three Kingdoms period
• The concept of karma, the law of cause and effect, and the idea of reincarnation were central to Buddhist thought and practice in Korea
• Meditation practices, including mindfulness and insight meditation, were widely practiced by Korean monks and lay followers
• The Mahayana Buddhist concept of the bodhisattva, an enlightened being who postpones their own nirvana to help others, gained prominence in Korean Buddhism
  • This concept influenced the development of compassionate and altruistic ideals in Korean society
• The Hwaeom school, based on the Avatamsaka Sutra, emphasized the interconnectedness and mutual containment of all phenomena, leading to a holistic worldview
• Pure Land Buddhism, which focused on devotion to Amitabha Buddha and the aspiration to be reborn in his Pure Land, also gained popularity in Korea
• Esoteric Buddhist practices, including the use of mantras, mudras, and mandalas, were introduced to Korea from China and integrated into Korean Buddhist traditions

Artistic Expressions

• Buddhist art in Korea during the Three Kingdoms period was heavily influenced by Chinese and Central Asian styles, particularly the Gandharan and Gupta art traditions
• Sculpture was a prominent form of Buddhist artistic expression, with the creation of stone and bronze statues of Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and other deities
  • The Seokguram Grotto in Gyeongju, a UNESCO World Heritage site, features a remarkable granite statue of the Buddha surrounded by bodhisattvas and guardian figures
• Buddhist painting flourished in Korea, with the creation of murals, scroll paintings, and illustrated sutras depicting Buddhist narratives and teachings
  • The Goguryeo tombs feature stunning mural paintings that blend Buddhist themes with indigenous Korean motifs
• Calligraphy, often featuring Buddhist scriptures and prayers, was another important artistic medium in Korean Buddhism
• The production of Buddhist ritual objects, such as bells, incense burners, and ceremonial robes, showcased the skilled craftsmanship of Korean artisans
• The aesthetic concept of "sublime beauty" (miae) in Korean art was deeply influenced by Buddhist ideas of transcendence and enlightenment

Architectural Developments

• The introduction of Buddhism to Korea led to the construction of numerous temples, monasteries, and pagodas throughout the Three Kingdoms period
• Korean Buddhist architecture was characterized by the use of wood as the primary building material, with stone foundations and tile roofs
  • The Goguryeo kingdom developed a distinct architectural style featuring multi-story pagodas and elaborate roof designs
• The Baekje kingdom's Buddhist architecture was known for its elegant and refined style, with slender wooden columns and delicate ornamentation
  • The Mireuksa Temple in Iksan, built in the 7th century, is a prime example of Baekje Buddhist architecture
• Silla Buddhist architecture reached its apex with the construction of the Bulguksa Temple and the Seokguram Grotto in Gyeongju during the 8th century
  • The Bulguksa Temple features two stone pagodas, the Seokgatap and Dabotap, which showcase the mastery of Silla stonemasons
• The layout of Korean Buddhist temples typically followed a symmetrical plan, with the main hall (daeungjeon) at the center and subsidiary buildings arranged around it
• The use of natural landscapes, such as mountains and rivers, was an important aspect of Korean Buddhist architecture, with temples often built in harmony with their surroundings

Cultural Impact

• Buddhism had a profound impact on Korean culture during the Three Kingdoms period, influencing art, literature, philosophy, and social values
• The Buddhist concept of compassion and the ideal of the bodhisattva shaped Korean notions of morality and ethics
  • This influence can be seen in the development of charitable institutions, such as hospitals and orphanages, during the Silla period
• Buddhist teachings on impermanence and the transience of life found expression in Korean literature, particularly in the works of Silla poets such as Choe Chiwon and Wonhyo
• The Buddhist emphasis on education and learning led to the establishment of monastic schools and the promotion of literacy among the Korean elite
  • The Silla kingdom's Hwarang, an elite group of young men who studied martial arts, Buddhism, and Confucianism, exemplified the fusion of Buddhist and Confucian ideals in Korean society
• Buddhist rituals and festivals, such as the Lantern Festival (Yeondeunghoe) and the Buddha's Birthday celebration, became integral parts of Korean cultural life
• The syncretic nature of Korean Buddhism, which incorporated elements of shamanism and Confucianism, contributed to the development of a distinct Korean religious identity

Legacy and Influence

• The Buddhist legacy of the Three Kingdoms period continued to shape Korean culture and society in subsequent dynasties, particularly during the Goryeo period (918-1392)
  • The Goryeo dynasty officially adopted Buddhism as the state religion and oversaw a golden age of Buddhist art and learning
• The Tripitaka Koreana, a collection of over 80,000 wooden printing blocks containing the complete Buddhist canon, was created during the Goryeo period and remains an important cultural treasure
• The influence of Korean Buddhism extended beyond the Korean peninsula, with Korean monks playing a significant role in the transmission of Buddhism to Japan
  • The Japanese monk Ennin studied in Silla during the 9th century and brought back important Buddhist texts and teachings to Japan
• The legacy of the Three Kingdoms period's Buddhist art and architecture can still be seen in the numerous historic temples and cultural sites throughout South Korea
  • Many of these sites, such as the Bulguksa Temple and the Seokguram Grotto, have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites
• The Buddhist values of compassion, mindfulness, and inner peace continue to resonate with contemporary Koreans, with a significant portion of the population identifying as Buddhist or incorporating Buddhist practices into their daily lives

Further Reading and Resources

• "Religions of Korea in Practice" edited by Robert E. Buswell Jr. - A comprehensive collection of essays exploring the history and practice of Buddhism and other religions in Korea
• "The History and Culture of Buddhism in Korea" by Lewis R. Lancaster and Chai-shin Yu - An in-depth examination of the development and influence of Buddhism in Korean history and culture
• "Korean Buddhist Sculpture" by Junghee Lee - A richly illustrated survey of Korean Buddhist sculpture from the Three Kingdoms period to the Joseon dynasty
• "Silla: Korea's Golden Kingdom" by Soyoung Lee and Denise Patry Leidy - A catalogue accompanying a major exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, featuring essays on Silla art, architecture, and culture
• "Goryeo Dynasty: Korea's Age of Enlightenment, 918-1392" by Kumja Paik Kim - An exploration of the art, culture, and politics of the Goryeo dynasty, with a focus on the role of Buddhism
• National Museum of Korea (Seoul) - Houses an extensive collection of Korean Buddhist art and artifacts from the Three Kingdoms period and beyond
• Gyeongju National Museum (Gyeongju) - Located in the former Silla capital, this museum showcases the art and archaeology of the Silla kingdom, including important Buddhist relics
• Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea (website) - Official government agency responsible for the preservation and promotion of Korean cultural heritage, including Buddhist sites and artifacts