Syncretism, Harmonization, and Mutual Appropriation between Buddhism and Confucianism in Pre-Joseon Korea

Abstract

Following the introduction of Buddhism to China, various strategies of accommodation with Chinese culture were developed, all amounting to some form of syncretism with Chinese religions, mainly Confucianism. Buddhism in pre-modern Korea displayed similar forms of interaction with Confucianism. This article aims to critique the notion that such interactions were merely forms of “harmonization”, finding common ground between the traditions. If one religion borrows from another or adopts the message of another religion, it will be affected to some degree, which is why the concept of syncretism is a better tool of analysis. This article concludes that there was a strong official support in Goryeo Korea towards the genuine convergence of Confucianism and Buddhism. Since Buddhism, as a result, took on many of the tasks carried out by Confucianism in China, the reaction against Buddhism by a reinvigorated Confucianism from the late fourteenth century onward was much stronger than in China.

Emotional AI, Ethics, and Japanese Spice: Contributing Community, Wholeness, Sincerity, and Heart

“…Tracing of syncretism between these systems is complex work, far beyond the remit of this paper, but it is noteworthy that syncretism of the systems themselves began before dominant religions arrived in Japan, with expert scholarship for example being divided on whether Shinto (widely understood as Japan's indigenous religion) is an extension of Buddhism, even finding historical evidence that Shinto was originally another term for Taoism in China (Toshio et al, 1981). Similarly, before Confucianism reached Japan, there had already been complementarity and mutual harmony between Buddhism and Confucianism in China (Vermeersch, 2020), with Confucianism then overlapping with Japanese Buddhism on arriving in Japan (Suzuki, 1959). Thus, while this paper cannot adequately address the intricacies of the syncretisation of Shintoism, Confucianism, Buddhism, and other influential outlooks such as Daoism, it should be recognised that there is great historical complexity regarding internal religious change, mutual influence, ability to maintain coherence of identity in diverse political regimes, and geopolitical change.…”

An Overview of Interaction within Pre-modern East Asian Region Through Buddhist Impact

“…This religion entered the Korean Peninsula when the region was divided by Koguryŏ, Silla, and Paekche. Scholars studying Buddhism in continental East Asia have paid attention to how Confucianism (originated in China) interacts with Buddhism in both China and the Korean Peninsula: both regions saw syncretism between the two intellectual systems, while Buddhism handled a more significant role of setting moral doctrines than its Chinese counterparts before Joseon Dynasty (founded in 1392) that held largely by Confucianism in China [2].…”

“…This is the same situation for ideologies and cultural norms spreading across the region. Researchers also covered how Buddhism impacts the spread of food in East Asia, but instead of focusing on the staple food across the region, the research focuses mainly on specific food types and culinary practices, such as dairy and vegetarianism [1][2][3][4][5][6]. In general, the research's blank point regarding how Buddhism's expansion impacts art, ideology, cultural practice, and culinary practice's spread in pre-modern East Asia needs to be addressed by research focusing on untraditional dimensions and perspectives.…”