• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.50
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• pp.305-331
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• 2016

This article is a reflective study on the 'modern' and 'modernity' in 'Modern Buddhism of Korea' research discourse. First, we raise the issue on how to define and describe the 'modern' in the recent 'Modern Buddhism of Korea' research. We raise some questions about whether there is the concept of "modernity" properly explained and agreed in Buddhist academia of Korea. And we will try to propose its solution. Next, we will briefly review the characteristics of 'modern' and 'modernity' in the flow of history of the West, which have never been discussed in the research discourse of "Modern Buddhist studies of Korea.' We will raise questions about whether it is possible to find a 'modernity' in itself what it is, and is further expected really 'modern' or 'modernity' in Korean conditions on the basis of this review. Finally, this article seeks to reveal what premises must be kept in mind in the 'Modern Buddhist studies of Korea', by critically reviewing researches of "Modern Buddhist studies of Korea".

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.16
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• pp.151-166
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• 2003

Contemporary Buddhist scholarship in Korea has been strongly affected by its origins in the Victorian era, when Western religious scholars sought to rationalize and historicize the study of religion. Modern Korean scholars, trained within the Western scholarly paradigm, share this prejudice which tends toward the rational. The result is a skewed understanding of Buddhism, emphasizing its philosophical and theoretical aspects at the expense of seemingly "irrational" religious elements based on the direct experience of meditation practice. This paper seeks to look at the historical context in which modern Korean Buddhist scholarship had been shaped during the colonial period of Japan. Two case studies will be examined particularly in the light of post-colonial perspectives of Buddhist studies: the case of Jonghong Bak(1903-1976) and the case of Donghwa Gim(1902-1980), two pioneering scholars in the field of Buddhist studies. They share similarities as well as differences. Both were born and active at almost the same period, during which Korean peninsula experienced modernization forced upon by Japanese colonialism. And thus, the experience of colonialism and modernization brought them into conflict between tradition and modernity. Their responses, however, were different. Pak, originally trained in Western philosophy, especially German philosophy, wanted to study Korean Buddhism in the context of the so-called Korean Philosophy per se. He was motivated to seek for the national and cultural identity of Korea. And thus his scholarship on Korean Buddhism naturally led him to look for an original Korean Buddhism distinct from the Buddhism of India, China and Japan. On the other hand, Gim, who became a monk in his youth, later went to Japan for college where he was exposed to modern Buddhist scholarship. He was the first to introduce modern Buddhist scholarship to Korea, and since then, contemporary Korean Buddhist scholarship owes much to his contributions. Despite his contributions to contemporary Korean Buddhist scholarship, if we look at his efforts in the light of post-colonial perspective, his ideas need to be reevaluate.

• Journal of the Korea Furniture Society
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.400-407
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• 2013

21C modern society is a time when enough design to dominate the world, a unique design is required new in all aspects. In addition, there is a religion to the best of Zen art. In our cultural heritage with a ethnicity unique unparalleled in the world, and a new recognition of traditional culture and identity of its own in our country, lattice door flower temple the beauty of Korea in the way you tell, it was modernized by interpreting a new one to utilize as a design element of a wood lattice door flower temple. In this study, to re-appear in openwork having regard to the symbolism of pattern and shape of the lattice door flower temple molding properties were highlighted, change the part of the motif, repeated the curve geometric has been designed to simplify as. As a result, it is possible to present the possibility of a design element that can design a traditional Korean is reinterpreted Modern thereby simplify the repetitive element of the related art, for a new aesthetic changes unique. Design Development of wood with a Buddhist temple flower lattice modern re-interpretation, it suits while a strong indication Korea imagery and expressed a variety of needs and personality to the design elements that are competitive in the world the cage, and design of wood, various studies competitive on to be applied to each field is required.

• SUVANNABHUMI
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.55-94
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• 2010

Even Faxian(法顯)'s Gaosengfaxianchuan (『高僧法顯傳』) and Iching(義淨)'s Nanhaijiguineifachuan (『南海寄歸內法傳』) are regarded as very important and useful documents to study the southeast asian buddhist culture, it is very difficult to grasp the contemporary state of those area because their descriptions are very brief and implicit. Therefore this essay aimed an in-depth reading their documents as original texts of modern understanding of those area, and tried to make a new views to approach the southeast asian buddhist culture by some more historically and concretely. At the early 5th century when Faxian(法顯) arrived, Buddhism was flourished in Sri Lanka. Because already a long time passed since the Saṇgha was schismatized into conservative and progressive at around the dominical year, he mentioned nothing about the conflict or disharmony of two orders. And the faith of Buddha tooth relic, which had been uprisen at 50 years ago from Faxian's visiting, was concretely established as a representative religion of Sri Lanka. According to his record, the carrying ritual of this Buddha tooth was performed very magnificently as similar with recent Korean Youngsan ceremony(靈山齋). In the mean time, it looks there were many sculptures of Buddha image made of precious stone of special product from Sri Lanka. The faith of Buddha-pāda(the Buddha's foot-prints) was also generalized at that time. The most famous monk of his contemporary Sir Lanka was Buddhaghosa, the author of Visuddhi-magga, but it is not sure that Faxian had met him. It can be suspected that the funeral in which Faxian participated could be belonged to him, or the Visuddhi-magga was writing at the peak during Faxian's staying. On the way to return to China, Faxian embarked an indigenous ship around Indonesia. It means there were no chinese trade ship which he can use. So the trade between china and southeast asia was advanced by south asian ships, and the chinese ships were not yet joined at that time so activity. And at least until that time, it looks there were no any remarkable buddhist movement in the southeast asian countries by where he stopped. In contrast, the southeast asian world which be seen by Iching had already experienced a lot of changes. He was impressed by the high quality buddhist culture of those area, and insisted to accept it to china. Further, he analyzed the sects of buddhism which were prevalent around the southeast asia in his contemporary time, and tried to make a good relationship with each native monks for learning from them. It looks the center of those exchanges may be Śrīvijaya of Indonesia. He also mentioned the situation of the late 7th century's Funan(扶南) in Cambodia. At that time, the buddhist Saṇgha was oppressed by newly rising Khmer(眞臘). On the other hand, he described the points of sameness and difference in detail between Indian and southeast asian buddhist culture in the field of ritual as like the practical use of garments, buddha images, and daily recited scriptures. There must be a lot of another aspects which this essay couldn't gather up or catch from these documents. Nevertheless, I hope this essay can help the researchers of this field and will wait for any advices and comments from them.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.180-195
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• 2016

Since being designated as an important Intangible Cultural Property, Yeongsanjae has become recognized as a unique representation of Buddhist rituals in Korea. Following vigorous research in recent years, however, Suryukjae(水陸齋) was found to have been performed for a longer period and on a larger scale than Yeongsanjae, and under state leadership. This allowed researchers to move beyond the previous perspective that Yeongsanjae(靈山齋) lay at the center of many rituals. This study aims first to examine the origin and development of Yeongsanjae in Korea based on the literature, and then to discuss the meaning it holds today. Yeongsanjae was recorded as a ritual in Jineongwongong -published in 1496 during the early Joseon Dynasty- and also appeared in Yeongsandaehoejakbeopjeolcha -published in 1634(the 12th year of Injo's reign) in the mid-Joseon Dynasty and it was called Yeongsandaehoejakbeopjeolcha. It continued into the late Joseon Dynasty and it was called Yeongsanjakbeop or Yeongsandaehoejakbeop in the Ojongbeomeum collections(1661), CheonjimyeongyangSuryukjaeuiBeomeumsanbo collections(1721), and Jakbeobguigam(1826). In modern times, it has been called Yeongsanje in newspaper articles of TongnipSinmun (The Independent) and Yeongsanjae in Seokmunuibeom(1935). Nevertheless, the difference between the early Joseon Dynasty and subsequent periods is whether mourning of the spirit(唱魂) is added. In this regard, Yeongsanhoe in the early Joseon Dynasty mainly concerned Buddhist teachings realized through rituals such as sermon scenes of the Buddha. On the other hand, it was combined with Buddhist masses for the dead(追薦) from the mid-Joseon Dynasty and performed alongside with Buddhist teachings and prayers for the dead. Taking into account the seven-day Suryukjae, however, Yeongsanjae was performed daily during the day and mainly dealt with Buddhist teachings, while Buddhist masses for the dead were included when Yeongsanjae was performed independently.

• The Korean Journal of Archival Studies
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• no.26
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• pp.33-62
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• 2010

Buddhism was introduced in the Korea Peninsula 1600 years ago, and now there are over 10 million believers in Korea. The systematic Management of Temple Records has a spiritual and cultural value in a rapidly changing modern society. This study proposes a better management system of Buddhist temple records for the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. this system Not only supports transparency of religious affairs, but presents a way for a more effective management. in this study, I conducted a study on the national legislation for the preservation of buddhist temples and the local rules of religious affairs from the Jogye Order. Through this, I analyzed the problems of Buddhist records management. in the long term, to improve these problems, I purpose the establishment of temple archives be maintained by parish head offices. This study presents a retention schedule for this systematic establishment system. I present charts for the standard Buddhist records management that manage the total process systematically from the production of records to its discard. Also I present a general plan to prevent random defamation of Buddhist temple documents and impose a duty for preservation. I intend for this plan to be subject to discussion and tailored to the particular needs of temple reads. In creating these charts standard of Buddhist temple records management, I analyzed operating examples of foreign religious institutions and examined their retention periods. I also examined the retention periods and classification system from the Jogye Order. Then I presented ways for this management system to operate through computer programs. There is a need to establish a large scale management system to arrange the records of buddhist documents. We must enforce the duty of conserving records through the proposed management system. We need the system to manage even the local parish temple records through the proposed management system and the operation of the proposed archive system. This study presents research to from the basic of the preservation and the passing of traditional records to future generations. I also discovered the historical cultural and social value that these records contain. Systematically confirmed Buddhist temple records management will pave the way that these tangible and intangible cultural records handed down from history can be the cultural heritages. establishing a temple records management system will pave the way for these cultural records to be handed down to future generations as cultural heritages.

• The Journal of Korean-Japanese National Studies
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• no.21
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• pp.1-43
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• 2011

This article introduces Abe Mituie's activities related to Korean and Japanese Buddhism and two newly discovered materials. He worked as a brain of Japanese cultural rule over Joseon Korea while holding various positions such as the president of KyeongSung Il Bo, the vice president of Kokmin Newspaper and the director of Central Joseon Association. Abe was responsible for Enkak Temple, the head temple of Japanese Rinzai section, and was one of the layman followers of Syak Soen who worked for the spread of modern Japanese Buddhism to Europe and America. He was a respectful Buddhist layman so as to teach Zen Buddhism for young Buddhist monks in Japan. After he started to assume charge in the Kyeong Sung Il Bo, he was also very active in movements in relation to Joseon Buddhism to the extent that he was found to be deeply involved in Joseon Buddhism sections. On the other hand, he concluded Joseon culture to be 'devastated.' He asserted that it was necessary to develop spiritual culture and revive Buddhism in order to resolve the devastation in the Joseon. In addition, he thought that Joseon Buddhism was ruined due to the misgovernment of the Joseon Dynasty, but had its own as great tradition as Japanese Buddhism. Therefore, in his opinion, there was a need to do research on Joseon Buddhism and find some way out of the contemporary difficulties. In order to save the situation, he made efforts to protect and revive Joseon Buddhism while paying continuous visits to Joseon Buddhist temples, supporting the publication of Buddhist canons and proposing to have a regular meeting of 'The Invitation of 30 Head Temples.' From his visit to Youngju Temple and his consistent relationship with Kang Daeryeon, it can be assumed that he was involved in reorganizing power structure in Joseon Buddhism and establishing various institutions. He emphasized the strict adherence of individuals and communities to rules in his lecture for students at Jung Ang Hak Rim. It was a way to revive Joseon Buddhism by creating a new social image of Joseon Buddhism. He continued to work for the restoration of Joseon Buddhism even after he retired from Kyeong Sung Il Bo and returned to Japan. He introduced the originality of Joseon Buddhism history to Japan and sent Japanese monks to Korea in order to do research and contribute to exchange between Korean and Japanese Buddhism. All things taken together, it is evident that Abe Mitzihe regarded Joseon as backward or stagnant from a perspective of evolutionist or orientalist, and was a Japanese elite to believe that it was just for Japan to control Korea. However, he was different from other Japanese elites in that he did not considered Joseon Buddhism merely as the object of propagation. He thought that Joseon Buddhism possessed its own great tradition and culture, but was ruined because of the misadministration of the Joseon Royal House. Therefore, in his opinion, Joseon Buddhism should be recovered by means of some supports, and its revival would lead to the restoration of Joseon culture as a whole, which would be realized by Japanese rule over Korea and Japanese elites' generous assistance.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.183-190
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• 2013

Objectives : 'Taegyo,' prenatal education, is steeped into Korean culture. Although there has been a traditional focus on providing education and care for the fetus in Korea, there is a lack of medical evidence for its effectiveness. Methods : The authors assessed the scientific basis for 'Taegyo' by reviewing the evidences. Results : 'Taegyo' in Korea began with the spread of Buddhist culture from China, and transmitted by word-of-mouth. The first 'Taegyo' book, the Tae-gyo-shin-gi, was published on 1803. Modern prenatal education is very diverse. However, only a few studies on its effect have been conducted. Development of medicine, especially obstetrics, fetology, pediatrics, psychiatry, and etc., has learned that many factors, including bad environmental conditions and maternal stress, influenced against the fetus and mother. As for the paternal side, occupation, smoking, and stress were also revealed to have consequences for the development of the fetus. On the contrary, adequate maternal nutrition, exercise, and music stimulation positively impact the fetal development and healthy birth. Conclusion : Traditional contents of 'Taegyo' were proved to have effectiveness from evidence-based medicine and animal experiments. We need further studies to explore the impact of prenatal education for the fetal development and maternal health.

• English & American cultural studies
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.129-162
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• 2017

Ruth Ozeki(Japanese-American female novelist)?s recent novel, A Tale for the Time Being (2013) draws our attention because the fiction shows very interesting fictional experiments, especially in terms of post-humanism. Indeed, the novel is not a science fiction at all which has been, and still is, the typical fictional field employed in the discussion for the transhumanism and posthumanism. It also does not include any cybogs, robots, or aliens which provoke the posthumanism-related issues like mind/body, human/nonhuman, nature/culture relations. Indeed, it seems "merely" represent realistic day-to-day lives of ordinary people living in contemporary Japan and Canada, and in very minute and particular details at that. Indeed, the central action of the main characters of the novel seems very traditional, that is on the one hand writing a diary by a teenage girl who is counting the days and weeks before her suicide and on the other hand reading it by a female novelist who happens to find her diary several years later. Nevertheless, I would like to suggest that underneath this traditional narrative surface are simmering post-humanist and post-anthropocentric worldviews beyond liberal Humanism which takes human beings to be exceptional against human or non-human others. Not only in narrative contents and characterizations but also through narrative structure and strategies, the novel enacts post-humanist and post-anthropocentric worldviews which are interestingly drawn from both age-old Buddhist ideas and modern eco-philosophy and quantum physics. I would like to stress that what triggers the author's fictional experiments helping our rethinking and redefining "what human beings are" and "what the relation between humans and nonhumans" is not merely intellectual interests but her keen and passionate response to the heart-breaking pains and sufferings of human and nonhuman beings caused by the contemporary natural-artificial catastrophes and techno-scientific predicaments.

• Acta Via Serica
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.119-128
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• 2019

This paper attempts to reveal little-known pages from the history of relations between the peoples of Central Asia and Korea based on materials derived from written sources and modern scientific literature, as well as from medieval wall paintings from the early medieval Afrasiab Palace of Varhuman, the ruler of Samarkand, and from stone sculptures of Sogdian figures contained in Silla royal tombs. Korea's interest in the western lands led to its contact with Buddhism, which spread and later flourished in all three Korean kingdoms (Koguryo, Paekche and Silla). The spread of Buddhism in turn motivated a number of Korean monks to undertake pilgrimages to India via Central Asia. Hyecho, a young Silla pilgrim, left evidence of his journey via the South China Sea to India in 723 AD. Paul Pelliot discovered a report from Hyecho's journey entitled Notes on Pilgrimage to Five Regions in India (Wang Wu Tianzhuguo zhuan) in the Dunhuang caves in 1908. Hyecho's contributions are worthy of attention, substantially complementing knowledge available for this little-studied period in the history of South and Central Asia. The information contained in Hyecho's manuscript is, in fact, considered the most significant work of the first half of the 8th century. Research regarding the relationship between Central Asia and Korea remains underdeveloped. Existing historical evidence, however, including the above mentioned Samarkand wall paintings, depicts the visits of two Korean ambassadors to Samarkand, and evidence from Silla tombs suggests the presence of diplomatic relations in addition to trade between the two regions. Overall, the history of the relationship between Central Asia and Korea yields new insights into how and why these distant countries sustained trade and diplomatic and cultural exchange during this early period. Taking into account Korea's growing interest in Uzbekistan, especially in its history and culture, this article can act as a catalyst for studying the history of the two country's relations.