Korean Buddhist Philosophers

HyeKyung Jee, Byung-Wook Lee

Domestic and Foreign University Students and General Persons

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Humanities

Beginner

This course is for the study of the lives and ideas of Korean Buddhist philosophers and to learn about Korean Buddhism from the Three Kingdoms period through the Joseon Dynasty.

1. Students understand the lives and ideological characteristics of important philosophers of Korean Buddhism.

2. Students can explain the influence of Buddhist philosophers in Korean history.

3. Students can distinguish and explain the differences between Hwaeomjong and Seonjong, the major Buddhist sects in Korea.  

4. Students understand the overall trend of change in Korean Buddhism.

Week 1

Overview of Korean Buddhism

In this class, while studying Buddha's life, the student will learn about Buddhism's concept of reincarnation, the core doctrines of Buddhism. After that, the student will study the characteristics of various sects introduced to Korea and the historical transformation process of Korean Buddhism.

Week 2

The Masters of Confucianism and Buddhism – Seungrang, Wonchuk, Wonkwang, and Jajang

In this class, among the many Korean Confucian students who went to China to study, we will look at the lives of monks who remained in China and learn deeply about the Buddhist philosophy they studied. Among the Confucian monks who returned to Korea, we examine the lives and ideas of the monks who helped the development of Silla.

Week 3

Philosophers of Huayan Buddhism – Uisang and Gyun-yeo

In this class, after examining the major events of Uisang’s life, we learn about his Hwaeom legal system and equality ideology. We also study temples that are known to have been built by Uisang. Let's then find out about the anecdotes that Gyun-yeo came to be known for and his ideological characteristics.

Week 4

The Most Respected Buddhist Philosopher in Korea – Wonhyo

In this class, we examine various narrative stories related to Wonhyo's life, and study his representative philosophical ideas, Ilsim, Hwajaeng, and Muae.

Week 5

Philosophers of Tiantai Buddhism

In this class, we examine the lives and ideas of Tiantai Buddhist thinkers who were active during the Goryeo Dynasty.

Week 6

Philosophers of Zen during the Unified Silla Period

In this class, we examine the lives and ideas of philosophers of Zen during the Unified Silla Period.

Week 7

Philosophers of the Zen sect of the Goryeo Dynasty

In this class, we examine the lives and ideas of philosophers of Zen during the Goryeo Dynasty

Week 8

Philosophers Who Greatly Contributed to Korean History and Culture

In this class, we examine the lives and ideas of philosophers who contributed to history and culture.

Week 9

Buddhist Thinkers in the Joseon Dynasty (1)

In this class, we examine the lives and ideas of major Buddhist philosophers who were active in the Joseon Dynasty in the order of the times. In the criticism of monks and Confucian scholars who contributed to the founding of the Joseon Dynasty, we study monks who talked about similarities between Buddhism and Confucianism and scholars who were positive about Buddhist thinking. Later, we study monks who dreamed of reviving the oppressed Buddhism, monks who participated in the Imjin War to raise the status of Buddhism, and monks who tried to keep the teachings of Buddhism while not participating in the war.

Week 10

Buddhist Thinkers in the Joseon Dynasty (2)

In this class, we examine the lives and ideas of major monks in the late Joseon Dynasty, and examine the life of Kim Dae-hyun, who was not an ordained monk but lived the lifestyle of a Buddhist monk.