• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.48-64
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• 2001

In the dissertation, Bibos are discussed as landscape features in the geographical context of Youngnam Region. The bibo tradition in Youngnam Region began with the incorporation of temple structures in Shilla and Kaya kingdoms, and spread throughout the country during the period of Unified Shilla. In Korea Dynasty, the diffusion of temple Bibo gained momentum, because Buddhism was worshipped as national religion. Then came a sea change in the Bibo repertoire with the replacement of Buddhism by Confucianism as an ideological prop for Chason Korea. The retreat of Buddhism led to the popularization of feng-shui motifs in Bibo strategy. The centers of the diffusion of the logic of bibo were major towns such as Kyongju, Ahndong, Sangju, and Chinju. The diffusion process continued top-down to mid-sized towns, and to the bottom of small villages. What sustained the hierarchical diffusion of Bibo attributes was myriad of transportation lines. The main artery of the diffusion in Korea Dynasty was that connecting Kaegyong to Kyongju. That same function was performed by the royal road running from Seoul through Sangju, Milyang, and to Tongrae. In the age of modernization, the feng-shui and Bibo landscapes have lost their original aura. They have suffered from the ruthless attacks of the Enlightenment logic of science. However, the elan vital of feng-shui and Bibo are still visible and strongly felt in the countryside. From field experiences, one can notice that the Bibo landscapes are tightly integrated into the rural way of life. The durability of the traditional geomancy shows us the beauty of the harmonious interplay between Youngnam people and the nature.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.77-88
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• 2009

In Korean history, Fengshui and Buddhism were closely connected in a harmonious and interrelated manner, together influencing the location and function of Buddhist temples, the forming of social and spatial ideologies, the spread of Fengshui, the development of Buddhist Bibo-Fengshui, ete. The interaction between Fengshui and Buddhism, which began after the introduction of Zen Buddhism in the late-Silla period, acted as a spatial ideology that empowered the powerful local gentries to trigger a social upheaval in the late-Silla period and was used by the government leaders for political purposes throughout the Goryeo period. In the Joseon period, the link between Buddhism and Fengshui weakened and was felt only at a grass-roots level.