Syllabusfor
“Korean History & Culture”
Hanyang University International WinterSchool
Dec 26th 2016 ~ Jan 5th 2017 9am-3pm
Prof. David A. Mason
Tourism Department, Sejong University, Seoul
010-9734-9753
Course Objectives
The objective of this course will be to make beginning-level students become familiar with the general themes and most interesting aspects of Korea's cultural history, from its origins until the present day. Emphasis will be placed on the cultural arts and customs that are most visible and fascinating to foreign visitors, and most useful to know. The lectures will be practical and vivid, and therefore memorable for the students.
Textbook Information
Professor’s Handouts will be the main text used. A few relevant academic articles and Professor’s Handouts will be the main texts used, as posted on the website, and exams will be slightly based on them (but mainly the lectures). Students have the option of reading “Korea: a Religious History” by Dr. James Huntley Grayson, Korean Buddhism by the Jogye Order, the Samguk-yusa in translation, or others. Students should read the assigned handout material before the lecture, and come prepared to ask questions and engage in active discussion.
Assessment Criteria
This course will be graded based on:
90% all Exams
10% Attendance Record and Professor’s assessment of student participation
Examswill include both factual knowledge and short essay questions. They are not cumulative. The professor will present much information during his lectures that is not covered in the reading, and this material will be included on the exam–therefore, students should take careful notes during the lectures, and ask for clarification of anything not understood.
Topics of Each Lecture:
01 Mon 12/26 Introductions, and Opening Themes of Korea’s Cultural History
Origins of Korean Culture in Myths, LegendsandHistory
02 Tues 12/26 Early Korean Buddhism in the Three Kingdoms
First “Golden Age” of Korean Culture in Late 3 Kingdoms
03 Wed 12/26 First “Golden Age” of Korean Culture under Unified Shilla
04 Thurs 12/26 The Long Decline of Shilla, and Introduction of Seon
05 Fri 12/26 The Rise of Goryeo’s Buddhist Culture – the Cheongja Era
The Tragic Goryeo Decline
06 Mon 1/02 The Rise of the New Joseon Order – Neo-Confucianism
07 Tues 1/03 The Peak of the New Joseon Order – Third Golden Age
Middle of Joseon Dynasty – Philosophical Responses to Wars
08 Wed 1/04 TheLate Joseon Dynasty, and its Tragic End
09 Thurs 1/05 Korea's Cultural Changes in the 20th Century
10 Fri 12/26 Final Discussion of Korea in the Early 21st Century, andFinal Exam
01 Mon 12/26 Introductions, and Opening Themes of Korea’s Cultural History
Origins of Korean Culture in Myths, LegendsandHistory
Introductions of Students and Professor
Historical and Religious Themes of Korea, and Scholarship of its History
Geographical setting of Koreaand its influence on culture
Romanization of Han-geul
Basic points of Bronze-Age Shamanism
Basic points of Chinese Confucianism and Daoism
Basic points of Buddhism India China;
Bronze-Age Pre-History (Manchuria and Peninsula); formation of identity and Shamanism
King Dan-gun and Foundation Myths of the Three Kingdoms; Samguk-yusa
The continuing influence of this story on contemporary Korean culture
Sanshin Mountain-spirits
Continuation of Shamanism
02 Tues 12/26 Early Korean Buddhism in the Three Kingdoms
First “Golden Age” of Korean Culture in Late 3 Kingdoms
Formation of the Sam-han, and Lolang Commandery 108 BC under Emperor Han Wu-ti.
Introduction of Chinese Iron-Age Culture, Kingship and Buddhism by missionaries and trade;
Mason’s “one package theory”
4th Cen Chinese Buddhism – its state-oriented and protective-guardian character – Hoguk Bulgyo
Inwang-gyeong “Benevolent King Sutra”
The Three Kingdoms 삼국시대 三國時代 early conditions and cultural formation of Goguryeo고구려高句麗 (north) Baekje 백제百濟(SW) Shilla신라新羅(SE)
Stele of Goguryeo King Gwanggaeto was erected near his tomb in 414 by his son King Jangsu, in what is today the city of Ji'an along the Yalu River. Granite, ~7 meters tall, ~4 meters wide, 1802 Classical Chinese characters. Major primary source extant for the history of Goguryeo.
magic, healing, faith & rituals
Missionaries – Ado Hwasang
Resistance / acceptanceissues – story of King Beobheung and Yi Cha-don
Grey unglazed stoneware pottery remains as Shilla’s shamanist ceramic style.
Korean monks went to north China and India to study under the greatest Masters
Great Master-MonkWon-gwang 圓光法士 (to Ch 589, return 599, traveled through Sui)
5 Principles of Hwarang-do: (demonstrates “one package” theory)
Loyalty to king, parents & friends; fight w/o retreat;
kill only when necessaryand then with compassion
Hwangryong-sa built by King Jinpyeong in 558 palace temple for Wongwang
Koreanization of Buddhism; Daoism, Confucianism and Shamanism blended in
Early transmission of culture to Japan – royalty, Hyecho tutors crown prince @600
Sui attack Goguryeo 612-16, repulsed by General Eulji Mundeok 을지문덕乙支文德
QueensSeondeok (r.632-47) and Jindeok (r.647-54) poem-letter to Tang Emp
Great Master-MonkJajang-yulsa (자장율사 慈藏律師 590-658)
young genius, but rejected office. wentto China 636, returned 643
establishedVinaya / yul– rules of Monastic Order
established Royal Office of Buddhism, registration of Monks and Temples
Wutai-san– metMunsu-bosal – relics – Odae-san– Korea as Holy-Land
relics in Diamond Altar at Tongdo-sa and four other temples in north-east SK
gave Buddhist names to mountains along East Coast
builtJeokmyeol-bogung temples and other temples
said he found “Mother of Munsu-bosal” on Munsu-bong Peak of holy Taebaek-san
advised building of great 71-meter Pagoda at Hwangryong-sa 황룡사 皇龍寺
“Unification of Korea”663~677created by General Kim Yu-shin 김유신 金庾信 under
Great Kings Taejong Muryeol태종무열왕太宗武烈王(r.654-61) and Munmu문무대왕文武大王(r.661-681)
China & Shilla defeat Goguryeo & Baekje in 680s, Chinese occupy Baekje but are driven out
called the Unified Shilla Dynasty Tong-il Shilla 통일신라 統一新羅 (668 CE - 935 CE)
theBalhaeKingdomin former Goguryeoterritory lasts 699-926.
03 Wed 12/26 First “Golden Age” of Korean Culture under Unified Shilla
Master-Monk Uisang-josa (의상義湘625-702) introduces the Hwa-eom-jong
(華嚴; Huáyán; Jp: Kegon; Skt:Avatamsaka, Flower Garland Sutra, centered on Biro-bul)
after study with Huayan master Zhiyan 智儼, friends with Fazang 法藏).
He wrote the mandala-like Haein-do (Ocean Seal diagram'), and founded up to 70 great temples.
Story of Myo-hwa Dragon-Girl and building of Buseok-sa (Floating-RockTemple)
Master-Monk Wonhyo-daesa (원효元曉 617-686) self-enlightened, independent
Genius scholar, wrote Sastras, founded Haedong Sect, Harmonization of Sutras,
shared love of Hwaeom with his doban Uisang; contributed to Seon/Zen theory.
Spread Amita-bul cult (Pure Land Buddhism) to common people; Unorthodox
Sex-scandal with princess Seol Chong설총薛聰and Idu writing, Shilla Confucianism
Attributed with founding 66 temples that still exist.
Goguryeo MasterBodeok studied Daoism, rejected, fled to Baekje due to its rise
Gyeongju at its peak, flowering of all arts. Nam-san and other sites.
Sinification, but Bone-Rank castes -- no social mobility, belief in bloodlines
Bulguk-sa불국사 佛國寺 and Seokgur-am석굴암 石窟庵 750-775
built by poor boy Prime Minister Kim Dae-seong 김대성金大城 700-774
Emille Bell story
04 Thurs 12/26 The Long Decline of Shilla, and Introduction of Seon
Introduction of Seon (Ch’an or Chán 禪or 禅or Zen) Buddhism in China by Bodhidharma 菩提達摩, Pútídámó or Dámó. K: Dalma-josa FL. 520CE (early 6th Cen)
at Solim-saorShaolin Monastery 少林寺 Shàolínsì at Sōng Shān 嵩山in Henan 477
6th PatriarchDajian Huineng (慧能 Huìnéng638–713)Korean: Yukjo Hyeneung-seonsa
Platform Sutra of the Sixth Patriarch (六祖壇經) Southern Chan Sect (頓教) Sudden Enlightenment
Legend says that his skull was buried under Main Hall of Ssanggye-sa by founders; now in stone pagoda
Beomnang studied under 4th Patriarch, in 640 under Queen Seondeok
Shinheung-sa 新興寺 was founded as “first meditation temple” in 652 by Jajang-yulsa
800s Seon gets rooted in Korea – the 9 Mountain sects: Gusan-Seonmun 九山禅門
Spontaneity, individualism, instant / complete enlightenment,
meditation instead of doctrine/scriptures/statues.
Tea茶cha/daKorean tea grown 828 at Jiri-san Ssanggye-sa지리산쌍계사智異山雙磎寺
Late Shilla Confucianismdevelops institutions –Gukhak and Mun-myo
Choi Chi-won 최치원 崔致遠 (857-?) Pen-name Go-un고운孤雲 or Hae-un해운海雲
genius, official career in China, returned to save his nation Shilla, in 894 submitted his "Ten Urgent Points of Reform" simu sipyeojo (시무십여조時務十餘條) to Queen Jinseong (887-897),but his advice ignored. Wandered as Daoist to Jiri-san, Busan, etc, wrote histories for temples, architect, named Haeun-dae Beach; becameShinseonat peak of Gaya-san above Haein-sa.
Rebellions by aristocrats, then farmers, then Later Baekje and Later Goguryeo
05 Fri 12/26 The Rise of Goryeo’s Buddhist Culture – the Cheongja Era
The Tragic Goryeo Decline
Taejo Wang Geon (b.877, r.918-43) and his relation to Haein-sa & other Temples
Doseon-guksa (827-98) Korea’s Pungsu-jiriGeomancy(Feng Shui /fēngshuǐ 風水)
and first concept of Baekdu-daegan theory, left advice for Goryeo Dynasty, Taejo WG followed.
Gaeseong capital City, flowering of State-led Buddhist Culture,Guksa국사國師 Wangsa
Cheongjablue-green Celadonpottery, giant paintings; stone mireukstatues
Palgwan-hoe Festivals huge wealthy temples, ceremonies, golden buddhas
Tiantai(天台宗T'ien T'ai) Cheontae in KoreaTendai in Japan. Great Chinese Bud Sect that systematizes all of the Sutras under Lotus Sutra 妙法蓮華經 Korean:Myobeom-nyeonhwa-gyeong
Founder: Zhiyi (智顗, Chih-I, 538–597) in the late 500s, at Tiantai-shan天台山in Zhejiang Province.
Korean monk Payak had studied Tiantai under its greatest master in 600s
Chegwan-daesa (d.970)bought Tiantaior Cheontae Buddhism back to China
Unification of Korean Buddhism was attempted using Cheontae by Uicheon Daegak-guksa (의천義天 대각국사大覺國師 1055-1101) Prince toured China collecting books, built royal library
Unification of Korean Buddhism was accomplished by Jinul Bojo-guksa (1158-1210) created Jogye Order조계종at Songgwang-sa송광사松廣寺which is at Korea’s Jogye-san (named after China’s Caoqi-shan / Caoxi-shan 曹溪山, Huineng’s mtn). It is mainly Seon, but includes others.
Mongol conquest (1231-59) and rule (1260-1350)
Korea’s worldly but enslaved condition; royaltyslowly becomes mongol
Mongols attackedJapanwith Korean labor and wood-shipbuilding from Jeju
Nov 1274 and Aug 1281 (kamikaze, 4000 ships lost)
population reduction, debauchery of everything
wood metal printing innovations. Buncheong-ware pottery.
Tripitaka Koreana / Palman-daejang-gyeong 고려팔만대장경 高麗八萬大藏經
carved on Ganghwa-do 1236-51 (moved to Haein-sa 1399) 81,000 blocks! 52mil words!
The 3 Jewels Temples: Tongdo-sa (B), Haein-sa (D), Songgwang-sa (S) only in Korea!
Sambo-Sachal
06 Mon 1/02 The Rise of the New Joseon Order – Neo-Confucianism
Han Yu 韓愈around 800 in Tang, makes protest against Buddhism. Suppression of Buddhism in 845
Chu Hsi (Zhū Xī 朱熹1130-1200) createdNeo-Confucianism 理學Lǐxué/道學Dàoxué from the Four Classic Books and the teachings of the Five Sages of the 1000-1100s.
Four Books:四書Sì Shū: Great Learning大學Dàxué, Doctrine of the Mean中庸Zhōngyōng, Analects of Confucius論語or 论语Lúnyǔ, and Mencius孟子Mèngzǐ
Introduction to K of Seong-i-hak Neo-Confucianism by An Hyang(1243-1306)
Established the Seonggyun-gwanUniv. The Sosu-seowon was built for him by Toegye
Taejo 태조太祖Yi Seong-gye이성계李成桂(1335-1408)coup, Ming Relations, meaning of Joseon
Jeong Mong-ju(1337-92),Jeong Do-jeon(1342-98)were leading Neo-Confucianists
and Geomancer-MonkJacho Muhak-daesa(1327-1405); Hanyang (Seoul) becomes capital.
Early Joseon (1390–1591) society and politics, the rise of the Yangban clans;
Neo-Confucian doctrine & Culture established with radical social changes
(strictpatriarchy, clan-lineages, primogeniture and etc);
King Taejong (r.1400-1418) oppressed theseoja and Buddhism
07 Tues 1/03 The Peak of the New Joseon Order – Third Golden Age
Middle of Joseon Dynasty – Philosophical Responses to Wars
King Sejong–daewang세종대왕世宗大王(r.1418-50) –Han-geul, science, good-Gov
King Sejo (r.1455-68) / (killed Danjong) – became devout Buddhist, made system of Laws
King constrained by advisors – Wangdo ideals – Sarim-pa radicals got influence,
but then were purged – Jo Gwang-jo (1482-1519). Factionalism!
Toegye Yi Hwang퇴계退溪(1501-70) Korea’s greatest philosopher
Orthodox, followed Chu Hsi exactly. Made 10 Diagrams of Sage Learning
rival with Yulgok Yi I 율곡이이栗谷李珥(1536-84)
– his mother Shin Saimdang 신사임당申師任堂 (1504-1551) artist, Eojin Eomeoni"Wise Mother"
Baekja white w/blue porcelain pottery, Chinese-style paintingsarts by Yangban aristocrats
Hanok Hanbok Hanshik
Heo Jun (허준, 許浚, 1546 – 1615) Doctor who adapted Chinese herbal & etc medicine to Korean plants & conditions, wrote Dongui bogamthe key text of Traditional Korean medicine.
Influence spread to China and Japan as one of the classics of Oriental medicine, still today.
Worked for royal family but also treated common people, used han-geul. Exiled to southwest.
1592–1630: invasions by Japan & Manchus, destructiontheft of Arts.
Imjin War 임진왜란 壬辰倭亂 suddenly invasion by Hideyoshi, lasts 1592-98.
defence by local groups & Buddhist monks;
Masters Seosan西山大師Samyeong-dang 四溟堂 leads to Namhan-Sanseong 9 temples
Naval victories byChungmu-gong Yi Sun-shin 충무공忠武公 Martial LoyaltyLord 이순신 李舜臣
Non-gae 논개 論介and the Cult of Loyalty. She killed a famous Japanese General (but who?) in 1593at the Uiam 의암義巖, "righteousness rock" of Jinju. Family rewarded and Shrines built.
Assistance from Ming China 1593 and 1598. Gratitude for that.
But then submission to the Manchus by 1630.
1630–1850: conservative “hermit kingdom” under philosophy of U-am Song Shi-yeol 우암송시열尤庵宋時烈(1607–1689) – strict Neo-Confucianism enforced, devotion to the Ming
Oppression and Decline, but Endurance, of both Shamanismand Buddhism
Exile / Gosan Yun Seon-do孤山尹善道(1587-1671) lived on Bogil-do. Sijo Poetry (haiku)
08 Wed 1/04 TheLate Joseon Dynasty, and its Tragic End
Chunhyang春香Story, mother was gisaeng; romance with Yi Mong-ryong, Amhaeng-eosa暗行御史
Shilhak – Practical Learning–“Dasan” Jeong Yak-yong 다산茶山정약용丁若鏞(1762-1836)
progressof arts; Construction of SuwonHwaseongCastle by King Jeongjo / Dasan 1794-6
Choui-seonsa revivedHan-guk Chado tradition, wrote book, friends with him and Chusa
Catholicism intro and Persecutions late 1700s through 1800s. Great killing 1866, French
1850–1910: first Western contacts, introduction of Protestant Christianity
All nations struggle for Korea; King Gojong and Queen Min / Minbi / Myeongseong
Attempted reforms fail. the DonghakRebellionfails 1894, leading toCheondo-gyo 천도교
Japan defeats China in 1895, and Queen Min was Murdered
Christian Missionaries try to assist and inspire – but mostly in futility
Japan defeats Russia in 1905. USA just stands by.
the “Great Revival”starts in Pyeongyang 1907, spreads nationwide
“Independence” & “Empire” declared 1897, then Japanese Colonial Occupation from1910
09 Thurs 1/05 Korea's Cultural Changes in the 20th Century
Japanese Colonial Occupation from 1910 to 1945
earlymodern nationalismled by American Christian influence, Cheondo-gyo and Buddhists
Reactions to loss of sovereignty varied. Some cooperate, collaborate, others resist
Aftermath of WW-I (USpresident Wilson) Gojong’s funeral ==> 1919 March First Movement(Sam-il-jeol)
the1920s Cultural Nationalism under Japanese Colonial Occupation.
Japanese-style ‘householder’ Buddhism imposed, but rejected after the 1950s
Steady growth of Protestant Christianity.
Repression in the 1930s, then WW-II.
Cultural effects ofLiberationand Division 1945-49, RoK established 1948 by the UN,
and then the Korean War 1950-53.
Great Masters of 20th-Century Korean Buddhism:
Gyeong-heo and his disciple Mangong
Beophui
Man-hae Han Yong-eun
Hyo-bong
Gu-san
Cheong-dam
Seong-cheol
Seung-sahn
all of them revivedtraditions of Korean Buddhism, or modernized it, and/or internationalized it – creating foreign centers and monks for the first time
Temple-Stay Program created 2002 for the World Cup
Seoul vs. Pyeongyang; North Korea’s pseudo-communist cultish dictatorship;
Kim Il-sung’s Jucheideology and destruction of traditional culture in the North
American-style culture influences the South
Radical social changes and the cultural changes that have accompanied them;
ROK military dictatorship and resistance to it
relations with America, Japan the world. Vietnam War sparks Industrialization.
South Korea's new generations and social changes
the strong growth of Protestant Christianity
the revival of Korean Buddhism
the endurance of Korean Confucianism and Shamanism–and the New Cults
the 1988 Seoul Olympics
North Korea fails at attempts to open up under Kim Jong-il,
despite pressures, leading to ongoing famine and nuclear weapons crisis
SK splitting away from the USAand the new cultural nationalism; the 2002 World Cup
Revived relationships with China and Japan
Cultural aspects of Kim & Roh’s Sunshine Policy towards North Korea
Revival of Conservatives, even as society keeps becoming more Liberal
Important ROK Presidents:
1948-1960 SyngmanRhee / Yi/ I / Lee Seung-man
1961-1979 Park Chung Hee / Bak Jeong-hui
1980-1987 Chun Doo Hwan / Jeon Duhwan
1988-1992 Roh Tae Woo / No Tae-u
1993-1997 Kim Young Sam / Gim Yeong-sam
1998-2002 Kim Dae Jung / Gim Dae-jung
2003-2007 Roh Moo Hyun / No Mu-hyeon
2008-2012 Lee Myung Bak / I Myeong-bak
2013-2017 Park Geun Hye / Bak Geun-hye
10 Fri 12/26 Final Discussion of Korea in the Early 21st Century, andFinal Exam
Prospects of Korea’s cultural future
Gaecheon-jeol [Opening Heaven Day],
Gojoseon[Ancient Joseon Kingdom] and
Dan-gun [Altar King] the “Founder of Korea”
The Korean Myth of National Origin, First Story in the Samguk-Yusa
Hwanin 환인桓因, the King of Heaven or Jeseok, was asked byHwanung,one of his younger sons or a son by a secondary wife(a junior Prince), to send him down to earth to govern his own land. Hwanin surveyed the mountains of the earth and chose Mount Taebaek-san태백산太伯山as the best site, Opened Heaven (gaecheon) and sent down his son To Benefit Humanity (hongik-ingan).
Hwanung descendedwith three heavenly seals or treasures and 3000 followers, to a sacred sandalwood tree on the peak of Taebaek-san. Here he established a sacred city (Shinshi신시神市spirit-city). He marshaled the noble spirits of Wind, Rain and Clouds as his Ministers. A government was established with 360 departments to rule with laws and moral codes about agriculture, grain-storage, hunting, fishing, sickness and medicine, education, the arts, family-life, determination of good and evil, and etc.
A bear and a tiger both came to Holy Hwanungand prayed (begged) to become human beings. The Heavenly Prince decided to give them a chance, and gave them a bundle of mugwort and twenty bulbs of garlic and told them that if they ate only these sacred food and stayed in the cave (out of the sunlight)for one hundred days that they would become human. The tiger shortly gave up in impatient hungerand left the cave. The bear remained and after 21 days was transformed into a woman.
The bear-woman (Ungnyeo; 웅녀; 熊女) was very grateful and made offerings to Hwanung at the stone altar by the sacred tree on the peak. She had no husband, however, and prayed for a son. Hwanung was moved by her prayersto transform himself as a human man, and mated with her. Nine months later she gave birth to a son, who was named Dan-gun Wanggeom 단군왕검 檀君王儉. (the original character 壇“altar” changed to the similar 檀“sandalwood” with same pronunciation dan, more Buddhist meaning)