Korean Buddhism: History—Condition—Art

In Short

This work is a survey of Korean Buddhism based on the author's lectures and field observations throughout the peninsula. It details the faith's historical arc across three political eras, its contemporary organizational conditions in mountain monasteries, and its rich artistic expressions, from stone carving to temple wall-painting. The book endures as a groundbreaking study that captures a pivotal moment of religious revival under Japanese rule, preserving valuable visual and cultural documentation of isolated monastic life that was otherwise unrecorded in Western scholarship of the early twentieth century.

The Story

The narrative opens in the early twentieth century as Korea, long known as the Hermit Kingdom, undergoes dramatic geopolitical transformation, having lost its independence and been absorbed into the Japanese Empire. Against this backdrop, the author embarks on four separate journeys across the peninsula to study Korean religions, specifically focusing on Buddhism.

The historical trajectory of the faith unfolds across three distinct political epochs. In the era of the Three Kingdoms—Koguryu, Pakche, and Silla—Buddhism enters from China and receives enthusiastic royal patronage. It rapidly spreads, giving rise to grand temples, scholarly achievements, and international connections that reach as far as India and Arabia. This golden age reaches its climax under the Koryu Dynasty, where the faith achieves immense worldly power and wealth. However, this success breeds deep corruption, heavy taxation, and profligacy among the priesthood, leading to a fierce institutional conflict with Confucian officials.

A catastrophic shift occurs in 1392 with the rise of the Yi Dynasty under Yi-Tajo, who ascends to power on an anti-Buddhist platform. Under subsequent rulers, particularly King Chasan in the late fifteenth century, the state enforces drastic measures: monasteries and temples are completely banished from Seoul and every other city across the kingdom. Driven into exile, the monks seek refuge in remote, inaccessible mountain valleys. For over four centuries, Korean Buddhism survives in this isolated mountain existence, suffering further devastation during the Japanese invasion of 1592 under Hideyoshi.

Despite this prolonged decline and exile, the account reveals that the religion is far from dead. Moving into the contemporary era, the author documents a striking internal revival. In the early 1910s, representatives from thirty head monasteries gather to form a unified national organization, establishing a central office in Seoul and pooling resources to foster educational and social work. The narrative culminates in vivid descriptions of thriving monastic communities, crowded pilgrimage celebrations like Buddha's birthday, and magnificent religious art, demonstrating that Korean Buddhism is emerging from its long exile to play an active role in modern society.

How It Unfolds

The journey into the Hermit Kingdom begins The author introduces his field investigations across Korea following its annexation by Japan, establishing a three-part historical framework—the Three Kingdoms, the Koryu Dynasty, and the Yi Dynasty—to map the religious history of the peninsula.

Buddhism arrives and flourishes in the three kingdoms The new faith enters Koguryu and Pakche from China before spreading to Silla, inspiring brilliant artistic traditions, foreign scholarly travel, and thriving international trade centers like Kyong Ju.

Corrupt power brings collapse and exile Overwhelming state patronage leads to financial drain and moral decay among the clergy, triggering a Confucian backlash that results in the complete banishment of Buddhist establishments from all Korean cities under the Yi Dynasty.

Life in the mountain sanctuaries Monks adapt to centuries of mountain exile, organizing isolated monasteries into self-sustaining communities that care for orphans, educate young acolytes, and preserve sacred rituals despite severe historical hardships.

A modern revival takes root Leaders from thirty head monasteries unite to establish a central headquarters in Seoul, demonstrating active growth through modern publications, schools, and vibrant public festivals like Buddha's birthday.

Artistic traditions reflect deep spiritual roots The survey concludes with a detailed examination of Buddhist visual culture, from rock-carved Buddhas and subterranean cave chapels to intricate temple wall-paintings and colossal outdoor banners displayed for thousands of worshippers.

The People

Frederick Starr An intrepid traveler and scholar who undertakes difficult journeys to remote mountain monasteries to document Korean Buddhism firsthand. He seeks to provide Western readers with new, original field research regarding a religious tradition he believes is undergoing a significant modern awakening.

Marananda A famous Hindu priest who brings Buddhist texts, images, and ceremonial traditions from China to the kingdom of Pakche in 384 A.D. He receives a royal welcome, establishing the faith so effectively that Pakche later transmits Buddhism to Japan.

King Yi-Tajo The founder of the Yi Dynasty who comes to power in 1392 through an anti-Buddhist movement aimed at ending clerical corruption. Although he restricts the religion's influence, he deals relatively leniently with it compared to his successors.

King Chasan The young monarch who takes full power in 1472 and enacts drastic anti-Buddhist policies. He abolishes all temples and monasteries in Seoul and provincial cities, effectively forcing the priesthood into centuries of mountain exile.

In Its Own Voice

"It has involved hard journeys to remote mountain monasteries, and days and nights of conversation and inquiry with many monks and priests."

This line reflects the physical effort and direct fieldwork required to gather original material in an isolated region.

"To-day Korea has ceased to be an independent nation; she has been completely absorbed by Japan and forms part of the Japanese Empire."

The author establishes the immediate political realities surrounding his travels throughout the peninsula.

"From that time down until these latter days there have been no Buddhist temples in Korean cities."

This statement highlights the profound historical impact of King Chasan's decree banning the priesthood from urban centers.

What It's Really About

The work centers on the resilience and endurance of a religious institution face-to-face with political suppression and historical decline. It examines how a faith that once dominated statecraft and culture can survive centuries of enforced exile in remote mountains by maintaining its core monastic discipline and artistic heritage. Beyond historical narrative, the book argues against the prevailing Western view that Korean Buddhism is a dead or stagnant relic. By documenting early twentieth-century unification efforts, educational initiatives, and vibrant public gatherings, the text demonstrates how ancient spiritual traditions can reform, adapt, and assert their relevance within a changing modern world.

Why Read It Today

This text appeals to readers interested in East Asian history, religious studies, and Asian art history. It offers an engaging, eyewitness perspective on early twentieth-century Korea, capturing a transitional period when traditional mountain monasticism began organizing into a modern national network.

The reading experience is straightforward, accessible, and grounded in observational detail rather than dense academic jargon. The narrative style feels like a series of travel lectures, balancing historical context with personal anecdotes of arduous mountain journeys by horse and chair. Readers should be prepared for period terminology and historical spellings of Korean places and names, as well as the perspective of an early Western traveler observing a nation under Japanese colonial administration. What lingers long after reading is the vivid imagery of remote sanctuaries—such as the quiet subterranean beauty of the Sukkul-am cave chapel facing the rising sun over the sea, or thousands of pilgrims gathering at mountain temples for Buddha's birthday.