An Illustrated Outline of Buddhism: The Essentials of Buddhist Spirituality (33 page)

109

(19) Korea

i. The Introduction of Buddhism into Korea

Buddhism was introduced into Korea from China in the fourth cen-

tury A.D. during the period of the Three Kingdoms. It gradual y grew

and flourished, and within a few centuries had reached a high peak.

During the Great Sil a Period, thanks to Buddhism, the whole penin-

sula experienced a virtual “golden age”, which is especial y notable in

art. During the Yi (Chosōn) Dynasty, the Confucian social system was

introduced.

In 552 A.D., Buddhism was transmitted from the Korean kingdom

of Paekche to Japan. Much of the early Buddhist art in Japan is con-

sidered to be the work of Korean craftsmen and their Japanese pupils.

Maitreya Buddha, Great Silla period, Korea, 7th century

Wishing to entice the blind,

The Buddha playful y let words escape from his golden mouth;

Heaven and earth are fil ed, ever since, with entangling briars!

Dai-o Kokushi

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An Illustrated Outline of Buddhism

ii. The Korean Dynasties

2333 B.C.

legendary foundation, by the half-human,

half-divine Tan-gun, of the nation from

which Koreans are descended

108 B.C.-313 A.D.

Chinese colonies in Korea

57 B.C.-668 A.D.

Three Kingdoms

37 B.C.-668 A.D. Koguryō Dynasty

18 B.C.-663 A.D. Paekche Dynasty

57 B.C.-68 A.D. Old Silla Dynasty

668 A.D.-935 A.D.

Great Silla Dynasty

918 A.D.-1392 A.D.

Koryō Dynasty

1392 A.D.-1910 A.D. Yi Dynasty (Chosōn Kingdom)

1910 A.D.-1945 A.D. Korea annexed by Japan

1945 A.D.

end of Japanese rule

Korea

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Map of Korea and Japan

(circa 1900)

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An Illustrated Outline of Buddhism

Buddha statue of gilded wood, Japan

Ethnological Museum, Basle, Switzerland