• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.31
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• pp.199-235
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• 2018

Most of the new religions derived from Jeungsan have claimed that Jeungsan's religious thought reproduced Dangun [檀君] Thought in its original form. However, Daesoon Jinrihoe is the only religious order out of the many new religions within the Jeungsan lineage, which has constantly kept its distance from Dangun Thought since 1909 during the earliest period of proto-Daesoon Jinrihoe. Even a mere trace of Dangun cannot be found in the subject of faith or the doctrinal system of Daesoon Jinrihoe. In this context, this study aims to examine possible connections between Daesoon Thought and Dangun Thought in order to determine why other Jeungsanist religions frequently exhibit Dangunist features. Specifically, a major part of this study will be devoted to comparing and analyzing the narrative structure of Daesoon Thought and Dangun Thought as well as their respective motifs. In fact, Jeungsan does not seem to have ever mentioned Dangun in his recorded teachings, therefore, after his passing into the Heaven, most of the religious orders including Daesoon Jinrihoe derived from him did not pay any attention to Dangun Thought for almost for 40 years. These orders did not originally perceive Dangun as an object of belief. After Korea's liberation, Dangun became widely accepted as a pivotal role among the Korean people. As Dangun-nationalism claimed to unify Koreans as one great Korean ethnic society, the religious orders of Jeungsan lineage also climbed aboard this creed and their faiths or doctrines were acculturated to reflect this change. The reason for this has been attributed to following modern trends to increase success in propagation. In the meantime, Daesoon Jinrihoe was the only order that did not accept Dangun-nationalism because it was not a teaching given by the order's founder. And the two systems of thought have more dissimilarity than parallelism in terms of philosophical ideology. These seem to be the main reasons why Daesoon Jinrihoe did not adopt Dangun into its doctrine or belief system.

• Philosophy of Education
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• no.63
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• pp.105-131
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• 2017

The myth reflects the human way of thinking about the world. Therefore, an important part of myth is human creation and role. This study examines the process of human creation in myth and discusses implications for education. The subjects that can be considered from the viewpoint of education are as follows. The status and role of teachers and students, the relationship between teachers and students, how to create or create humans, and the purpose and results of human creation. First, it is the position and role of the teacher. In myth, being like a teacher is a divine being that transcends human ability. In Dangun mythology, Hwanwoong or Shinwoong descended from heaven, and in the Genesis it is the Creator God. In Dangun mythology, the role of the teacher guides the way of becoming a human and provides necessary tasks. In Genesis, the image of the teacher is the Creator God. God plays the role of a teacher who prepares various environments in which learners can work. Second, the status and role of students in myths. In Dangun mythology, students are symbolized by bear and tiger. They go to the teacher with the desire to become human beings. In Dangun mythology, the student is not a passive existence but an autonomous and active image. In Genesis, the appearance of a student is a passive being created by a teacher. Third, the creation of human beings in myth can be seen in terms of educational process and method. In Dangun Myth, the beginning of education is the wish or expectation of learners. Learners eat mugwort and garlic and participate in human learning. In Genesis 1, however, there is no need for a special method, since human beings are created according to the Creator's command. Fourth, the purpose of education can be discussed through the purpose of human creation. In Dangun mythology, the purpose of education is not to live according to instinct but to become human with culture and personality. In Genesis 1, the purpose of human creation is the role of the Creator in creating and managing the world. Therefore, it is the aim of humans to manage the world in an orderly manner. The purpose of education in Genesis 2 is to enable humans to serve the world.

• Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.135-139
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• 1993

Events of eclipses as well as other major astronomical events observable in the eastern sector of Asian continent are computed and checked with astronomical records of antiquity. Particular attention was given to two types of the events recorded in remaining records of Dangun Chosun Period (DCP): (1) concentration of major planets near the constellation of Nu-Sung $(\beta\;Aries)$ and (2) a large ebb-tide. We find them most likely to have occurred in real time. i.e., when the positions of the sun, moon, and planets happen to be aligned in the most appropriate position. For solar eclipses data, however, we find among 10 solar eclipse events recorded, only 6 of them are correct up to months, implying its statistical significance is no less insignificant. We therefore conclude that the remaining history books of DCP indeed contains important astronomical records, thereby the real antiquity of the records of DCP cannot be disproved.

• Publications of The Korean Astronomical Society
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2015

The National Foundation Day of Korea (개천절, 開天節) is currently celebrated on October 3 in Gregorian calendar. We review the history of dating the National Foundation Day of Korea and make a suggestion that it be celebrated on October 3 in the lunar calendar. We present numerous historical records on heaven-worship rites supporting the date October 3 in the lunar calendar. It is pointed out that October 3 in the solar calendar has been adopted in 1949 by the National Assembly with the thought that the lunar calendar is inferior and behind the times. The thought originates from misunderstanding on the value of the lunar calendar and from the ignorance of importance of history and tradition. Since there are now many national holidays that follow the lunar calendar, the logic of the National Assembly in 1949 also makes no sense. We emphasize that the lunar calendar should be followed for the National Foundation Day of Korea for its historical and symbolic characteristics restoration. We also investigate the year of the foundation of the first country of Korea, Dangun Joseon. It is found that even though the majority of the literature before late 15th century recorded the beginning year of Dangun Joseon dynasty to be equal to that of Liao Dynasty (堯), it was accidentally changed to the 25th year of Liao Dynasty in 1484 through a misinterpretation of the previous records. We claim that the beginning year of Dangun Joseon should be set to that of Liao Dynasty as recorded in the original literature in the earlier days. According to the two main opinions accepted by Korea, the beginning year of Liao Dynasty was 2357 B.C. or 2333 B.C., which correspond to the year of Gap-Jin (the 41st year of the sexagenary cycle) or Mu-Jin (the 4th year of the sexagenary cycle), respectively.

• Journal of Korean Society of Archives and Records Management
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.57-79
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• 2001

[Go-Choseon], the first volume of Samgukyusa, is composed of two parts, the part of myth and that of history. There are very similar divinities between Hwanwoong in the myth of Dangun and YanDi-ShenNong of China: the solar divinity essential for survival of mankind and agriculture, the agriculture divinity said to have taught fanning, the medicine divinity said to have taught the characteristics of herbs and how to prevent diseases, the cultural hero who delivered civilization, and son on. During the transition from the age of myth to the age of history, the roles of gods had changed from the creation of the world to civilization and rule. The roles of Hwanwoong and YanDi-ShenNong were civilization and it was related with their divinities. Hence, regardless of a little difference, the myth of Hwanwoong and that of YanDi-ShenNong were created at the same stage of spiritual and material civilizations of Korea and China. This paper looks at the essence of [Wiseo] and the age of Hwanwoong through historical records. In my opinion, [Wiseo] is not a chinese history' book. The record, "According to [Wiseo] there had been Dangun-Wanggum 2,000 years ago" indicates the time [Wiseo] was written. 'Wi' means Wlman-choseon. Going back about 2,000 years from Wiman-choseon, the historical dates of the establishment of [Go-Choseon] almost dovetails to the age of King 'lao. So, there is a possibility that [Wiseo] is a history book of Wiman-Choseon dynasty which was written to prove the legitimacy of the dynasty by showing it succeeded to the Dangilll-Choseon dynasty. The sentences, "governed the country for 1,500 years" and "conferred Gija the position of king of Choseon" are very important records showing the age of the establishment of Dangun-Choseon. Gija came to Choseon in B.C 1122 when Yin replaced Zhou in the Choinese Continent. From the fact that Dangun had governed Choseon, we could reason out that Go-Choseon was established in B.C. 2622 that is much eariler than the era of king Yao, and that corresponds 'With the era of HuangDi(B.C 2698-2358). Hence, the era of Hwanwoong, the father-god of Dangun, might be later than B.G 3000 which conforms to the era of YanDi-ShenNong(B.C 3218-2600). Therefore, this paper contends lhat Hwanwoong and YanDi-ShenNong played the role of civilization in the same era [Go-Choseon], the first volume of Samgukusa is philologically very valuable material for research on the origin of Korean nation and its ancient history.

• YAKHAK HOEJI
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.361-382
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• 2007

The history of pharmacy in Korea from the era of 'Dangun Mythology' to today was reviewed briefly with special emphases on the beginning of pharmacy education, introduction of modern pharmacy education, establishment of modern educational institutions, and the evolution of the education system to a new 6-year pharmacy program.

• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.57-70
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• 2006

In this paper, we study the meaning and symbols of the number three and the structure of dividing into three parts in the religions, views of the world and the nature. Also we investigate the meaning of the number three, and the structure of dividing into three in the Samsung myth. According to legend, the 'Three Names' (Samsung-Yang, Ko and Pu) which are three demi-gods emerged from Samsung-hyeol(called Moheung-hyeol), and became the progenitors of the Jeju people who founded the Kingdom of Tamna.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2004

Oriental Medicine has long been centered around Qi[vital force], hence adopting Qigong and the art of regimen for training the body and relaxing the mind so as to prevent and heal illness. It has not been such a long time since Qigong method had been performed and spot-lighted out of numerous methods in Oriental Medicine. In China and Korea alone, diverse cases and papers are published, only revealing so many steps toward the establishment of diachronic description, theoretical foundation, and clinical practice. Historical approach is an essential part of recognizing a subject. When you step along its path and comprehend what it were, you can also grasp what it is and what it will be. Establishment of Qigong history is also vital to research Qigong in theory and practice. Generally, Qigong was transmitted from China to Korea, whereas the opposite explanation, that it originated from Korean Taoism, is supported by the minority based on certain texts concerning ancient history. In this paper, I support the theory of Korean originality based on the following grounds: First, the location of Qi and Van, the motherland of Chinese Taoism provides a strong evidence that Korean tradition had been absorbed by them and formed the tradition of mystic hermits(shenxian). Second, Guangchengzi, the originator of mystic hermits, is from Dongyi tribe according to Cheonghakjib. Third, the myth of Dangun has pure form of unique Korean folklore possessing the distinctive feature of mystic hermits tradition, uninfluenced by Chinese Taoism. Fourth, in ideographical aspect, the character 'xian(仙)', was invented as the Korean concept of mystic hermits[xian] was flowed in to China. Moreover, There is high probability that it was based on the concept of mystic hermits shown in the myth of Dangun in Its original formation. Fifth, considering the relation between wild ginseng and the tradition of mystic hermits, that tradition can be formed very naturally in Korean area. Sixth, the analogical similarity between archetype of Korean tradition and Taoistic trilogy, the foundational idea of the tradition, gives genealogical basis to its origin. Seventh, the tradition of mystic hermits and Shamanism, which constitues the prototype of Korean mind as an original religious tradition, are undiscernible in their root In Conclusion, We can reach the idea that the origin of Qigong derives from Korean tradition, not that of China. The tradition of mystic hermits was transformed to ego-centric seclusionism when it faced the anarchy of Warring states period in China, whereas it was developed into humane proriety and worship of Heaven base on the programme of 'universal fraternity in pursuit of interst for man'. In prospect, it is highly required to develop and interpret traditional discipline methods in Korea so as to utilize them for clinical Qigong in practice.

• The Critical Review of Religion and Culture
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• no.29
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• pp.101-133
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• 2016

The term 'myth' is modern terminology. It was introduced to the East Asia from late 19th century to early 20th century. Under the rule of Japanese imperialism, some Japanese historians insisted that Dangun(檀君) has no relation with Kochoson(古朝鮮). Some Korean historians have refuted their conjecture. The arguments between Japanese and Korean historians bring about the motives of making the concept of Shinwa(神話) The purpose of this study is to investigate the historical procedures of making myth of Homogeneous Korean as a case study of "teaching religion". For the scholar the historic beginning is to be distinguished from later myths of origins. The scholars, particularly among the historians of China, Japan and Korea take it as the beginning of the history to investigate myths, for the ending parts of narratives are in themselves involved in a social constructs in order to give legitimacy to the story. It is apparent to satisfy for the current social demands of the nation-states building. It is also an act of casting and projecting their national values into the far distant past which is considered to be authentic and authorative. The western term 'myth' had been made up in Japanese historical context in order to build "nation-state concept". In Korea, the myth of homogeneous ethnicity of Koreans had been also reconstructed as modern myth during the late 19th and the early 20th century. We can call it the invention of the tradition accordingly.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.93-104
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• 2011

The basic framework of traditional Korean clothing construction consists of circle, square and triangle. This composition principle has been presumed to be associated with the Cheonbu concept of the Dangun era wherein nature and human being are considered united. The Cheonbu concept is represented by circle, square and triangle which constitute Cheonbuin, the images and meanings of heaven. It contains profound philosophy wherein a circle symbolizes heaven and represents number one, a square symbolizes earth and represents the number two, and a triangle symbolizes human beings and represents the number three. Circles, squares and triangles have been used as various symbolic meanings both in the east and west and constitute the framework of Hanbok construction while connoting the Cheonbu concept and symbolism of the Cosmo-tree. From this point of view, the unity of human beings and heaven in Cheonbugyeong is symbolically inherent in Hanbok. Therefore, Hanbok with the basic framework of circles, squares and triangles can be considered a positive creation that created a composition principle of body-nature-clothing.