Religion of South Korea. Religion in Korea
What religion do Koreans worship? and got the best answer
Reply from Lu Mai[guru]
The main religions in South Korea are traditional Buddhism and Christianity, which has recently entered the country. Both of these movements were strongly influenced by Confucianism, which was the official ideology of the Joseon Dynasty for 500 years, as well as shamanism, which was the main religion of the common people of Korea.
According to statistics collected by the South Korean government in 2003, about 46% of the country's residents are not followers of any religion. Christians make up 29.3% of the population (18.3% Protestants, 10.9% Catholics), and Buddhists make up 22.8%. Seoul is home to the world's most visited Christian church, Yeouido Full Gospel Church, with over 20,000 members and visitors a week.
Followers of other religions make up about 2.5% of the religious population. These are mainly followers of the Wonbulgyo school (Won Buddhism), and the Cheondogyo school, which combines elements of Taoism, Confucianism and Christianity. Confucianism is practiced by a small number of believers, but features of its influence can still be seen in the way of life of Koreans.
About 0.5% of the population are adherents of the Unification sect, the founder of which is Sun Myung Moon.
There are also Orthodox Christians in Korea. Historically, the mission of the Orthodox Church began its existence at the end of the 19th century. The first leader of the mission who made significant efforts to establish Orthodoxy here was Archimandrite Chrysanthus (Shchetkovsky). Currently, the Orthodox Church in Korea is under the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Constantinople. The head is Metropolitan Sotirios.
The traditional religions of the DPRK are similar to the traditional religions of South Korea, since before 1948 both countries were one. Most of the population practiced Buddhism and Confucianism, and there were also a significant number of Christians and followers of Cheondogyo (the "Way of Heaven" religion).
There are four Christian churches in Pyongyang. One of them (Changchung Cathedral) is officially Catholic, although there is no priest in it, two are Protestant. An Orthodox church was built in 2003; it was ready in 2006.
Christianity in North Korea is officially represented by the Korean Christian Federation, a government body responsible for contacts with religious organizations abroad.
Source: Wikipedia
Answer from 2 answers[guru]
Hello! Here is a selection of topics with answers to your question: What religion do Koreans worship?
Answer from ASPID[active]
dog-eating!
Answer from Ђapkin*[guru]
Some believe in Kim Er-sung, others in Tsoi.
Answer from Cactus Botanist[guru]
There is no big nation in which absolutely everyone worships one god(s). The question should have been posed differently. Which religions are the MOST represented among Koreans?
I think Buddhists
Introduction.
Korean culture is original, but as in any culture, even a very original one, strong external influences can be detected in it. Just as the roots of Russian culture go to Byzantium, so the roots of Korean culture will lead us to China. From Ancient China, a worldview (Confucianism and Buddhism), hieroglyphic writing, a system of organizing the state, architectural styles, methods of home improvement, and household items came to Korea.
Half of Koreans are believers, half are not. At the same time, Koreans are religious “in moderation”; fanatical religiosity is alien to them (although religiosity and faith are different things). There is no single predominant religious group: half of the believers (more precisely, 47%) are Buddhists, half (49%) are Christians. This last fact will probably surprise many readers. In addition, 3% of believers call themselves Confucians. Adherents of the traditional religion of the Koreans - shamanism (the cult of the forces of nature and ancestors) make up 1%.
Shamanism.
The oldest belief in Korea, which originated at the dawn of primitive history, is the worship of spirits or nature. It is based on the belief that not only humans have a soul. Shamanists spiritualized visible nature, inhabiting with countless spirits and demons everything living and inanimate on earth, be it rocks, trees, mountains, streams or celestial bodies.
A shaman, or mudan in Korean, is an intermediary between people and the world of spirits. It is believed that it can ward off misfortune, cure illness and help one safely transition to another world. One of the most important elements of Korean shamanism is the deep belief in the existence of the souls of the dead. It is believed that the shaman must resolve conflicts and misunderstandings that arise between the world of the living and the world of the dead.
These beliefs persist in Korea to this day. Nowadays, shamanism is almost always carried out by a woman, whereas previously both women and men could act as intermediaries. For a Korean who adheres to a traditional way of life, shamanism is a religion of fear and superstition, while for the modern generation it is a colorful, spectacular element of national culture. The shamanic ritual, with its numerous spells that drive out evil spirits, resembles a theatrical performance with music and dancing.
The emergence of more complex religions, such as Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism, did not lead to a complete abandonment of the beliefs and practices of shamanism. On the contrary, these religions absorbed elements of shamanism and continued to coexist peacefully. Shamanism to this day is a kind of deep basis of the religious beliefs of Koreans, an integral element of the national culture.
Christianity.
The balance between the two major faiths in favor of Christianity has changed in the very last decade. It’s hard to believe, but in 1940 Christians made up only 2% of the Korean population (total, not believers), in 1972 they were already 13%, and now - 25%. There are more young and economically active people among Christians than among Buddhists. In the age group from 20 to 29 years, there are 1.5 times more Christians than Buddhists. Christians dominate the national elite. There is nothing similar in the neighboring Far Eastern countries - China and Japan.
The abundance of Christian churches catches your eye immediately upon arrival in Korea. Especially late in the evening, when darkness falls and the crosses on the spiers glow with a bright ruby light. In every city microdistrict, or even quarter, there is a church. True, they in Korea are by no means as majestic and architecturally expressive as in traditionally Christian countries. Often parishioners rent a floor in an ordinary house, and only the lattice pyramid (resembling a small television tower) topped with a cross makes this house stand out from others.
In reality, Christianity began to spread in Korea from the end of the 19th century. Since then, it has taken on peculiar Korean features, as if “Koreanized.” The service is now conducted primarily in Korean, and European church music has been replaced by classical Korean music. No one here will say that Christian Koreans are some kind of apostates who have betrayed their roots in favor of an “alien” religion. Quite the contrary: Christian Koreans have been and remain staunch fighters for Korean cultural identity. At the same time, Christian ideology undoubtedly facilitated the socio-economic modernization of Korea in the twentieth century.
Christians visit churches much more often than Buddhists attend their temples. There is a simple explanation for this. Over the past five centuries, Buddhist temples have been built far from populated areas, in secluded places in the mountains, so it is not so easy for city residents to get there. Numerous temples, Buddhist statues and pagodas not only decorate the landscapes, but are also an important factor in the development of the tourism business. Around Buddhist monasteries (all of which are located in picturesque areas) national parks have now been created, which are very popular among Korean and foreign tourists. And yet, idle tourists do not reach most of the monasteries. There, among the pine-covered rocks in light wooden pavilions, there are only praying monks.
Buddhism entered Korea from China in the 4th century. n. e. In the VI-XIV centuries. it was the state religion of Korea. At that time, Buddhism consolidated the Korean ethnic group, strengthened its self-awareness, and enriched it culturally. The departure of Buddhist temples and monasteries to remote areas occurred at the end of the 14th century. When the new Joseon dynasty (1392-1910) took power in Korea, the monarchs adopted a new ideology (renewed Confucianism), and Buddhism fell out of favor.
Ancient Buddhist monasteries were built of wood and have not survived to this day in their original form. Nowadays, when Buddhism is not subject to any oppression, Buddhist places of worship are being restored and rebuilt in cities.
Confucianism.
Confucianism is not a religion in the usual sense of the word, but a spiritual teaching, an ethical system. It was Confucianism that shaped the morality and ethics of the Korean people. Confucius, who lived two and a half millennia ago, taught: a person must be moral. This sage developed a set of rules for relations between parents and children, woman and man, master and subordinate. Confucianism is distinguished by a special cult of ancestors and veneration of parents, and these values and norms are deeply rooted in Korean culture, in the system of values and behavior of people. Of course, Confucianism is not taught specifically in schools now, but in the old days, Confucian texts (in ancient Chinese) were a compulsory subject for study in school.
The teachings of Confucius do not concern the realm of the supernatural, with the exception of the idea of an impersonal divine order called Heaven, which leaves humanity to its own devices as long as relative order reigns on earth and virtuous principles of government are observed. In this sense, Confucianism, like early Buddhism, was a religion without a god. But as centuries passed, the sage and his main disciples were canonized by his followers in order to spread the teaching among simple, uneducated people.
Confucian writings appeared on the peninsula along with early Chinese writings sometime at the beginning of the Christian era. The written sources of all three states - Koguryo, Baekje and Silla - contain evidence of the early influence of Confucianism. For example, in the capital Kogure already in the 4th century. AD A Confucian university operated, and private Confucian academies existed in the provinces. Around the same time, similar institutions were established in Baekje. As usual, the state of Silla was the last to feel foreign influence.
The royal court of Unified Silla sent delegations of scholars to Tang China so that they could familiarize themselves with the work of Confucian institutions and bring home multi-volume works devoted to Confucianism. Although the state religion was Buddhism, Confucianism formed the philosophical and structural basis of the state. Even with the coming to power of the Koryo dynasty in the 10th century. the form of government did not change significantly, except that the influence of Buddhism began to be felt more strongly.
The era of the Confucian-oriented dynasty Lee(Joseon period), which is often criticized for political strife in the struggle for power and clan feuds, the reason for which was different interpretations of Confucian canons, was in fact the “golden age” of Confucianism, a period of its revival.
Confucianism in Korea was most evident in the areas of education, ceremonial etiquette, and public service. The civil service examinations, or quagos, introduced by analogy with the Chinese system at the end of the tenth century, provided a powerful stimulus to the study of the classical works of Confucianism; thanks to them, core Confucian values were deeply rooted in the minds of Koreans. Even today, it can hardly be said that Koreans have completely abandoned the traditions, habits and stereotypes of thinking that go back to Confucian teachings.
Among Christians, 3/4 are Protestants, 1/4 are Catholics.
The religious ideas of Koreans in ancient times, as far as can be judged from the archaic myths that have come down to us, consisted of belief in Heaven as the Supreme deity and the highest being in nature. For example, in the myth of Tangun, the progenitor of the Korean nation, Hwanin and Hwanun appear as characters personifying Heaven and the Heavenly Lord. Religious beliefs, based on ritual rites aimed at influencing supernatural forces in order to achieve material results, persisted in subsequent eras. However, already during the period of the Three States (Koguryo, Baekje, Silla), Koreans became acquainted with such religions as Buddhism and Confucianism, and subsequently there was a transformation of religious ideas towards a worldview based on the search for spiritual truth, while maintaining archaic beliefs seeking to obtain material benefits . Over the centuries - during the era of the Three States, United Silla and Koryo - and until the end of the 14th century. Buddhism was popular in society as a religion, and Confucianism as a political doctrine. But starting from the Joseon Dynasty, Confucian ideology became dominant, and restrictions were placed on the further development of Buddhism. At the end of the Joseon period, Christianity began to penetrate the country. On the other hand, such autochthonous religions as chondogyo (“Teaching of the Heavenly Way”) and chynsangyo (“Teaching of Cheungsan”) arose. Religious teachings based on the ideas of social equality also developed. Currently, the largest faiths in Korea are Christianity and Buddhism. Small religious associations include such distinctive faiths as taejongyo (“Teaching of the Great Ancestor”) and tangungyo (“Teaching of Tangun”). The traditions of shamanism are also deeply rooted among the people.
Number of believers
South Korea As of 2005, during the general population census conducted by the Korean State Statistics Service, 24 million 970 thousand citizens of the Republic of Korea called themselves believers, i.e. 53.1% of the total population of the country. 46.5% declared themselves not to belong to any religious denomination.
North Korea As for North Korea, there is no freedom of religion. We can say that religious organizations in the full sense do not exist there. According to official information, the number of believers in the North is only 20–30 thousand people. One can, however, make the assumption that there are many secret followers of one religion or another, for example, parishioners of underground churches, in North Korea.
Overview of the main religious denominations
Buddhism The teachings of Buddha penetrated the Korean Peninsula around the 4th century. Having been imported from China, it represented Mahayana Buddhism, striving for the Salvation of all people, in contrast to Hinayana (Theravada) Buddhism, which focused on Awakening and Liberation from suffering of the individual. Despite the fact that Buddhism was a borrowed religion, it organically merged into the culture of the Korean people, forming a synthesis with traditional culture and folk beliefs. In the Silla state in the late period, as well as in the Unified Silla state, Buddhism was the state religion. This tradition was preserved in the state of Koryo. With his coming to power at the end of the 14th century. During the Joseon Dynasty, Neo-Confucianism became the state ideology, and Buddhism was relegated to the background. But even in the new conditions, the Buddhist tradition, deeply rooted in the people's environment, continued its development. Today it is the largest religious denomination in South Korea, whose number of adherents exceeds 40% of the total number of believers. Protestantism The starting point in the history of Protestantism in Korea is considered to be 1884, when the first Protestant preacher from the United States arrived in the country. Mostly American missionaries came to Korea, representing a variety of Protestant denominations. At the early stage of the opening of the country, these people carried out preaching in the widest aspects: they were engaged in medical care, education, the problem of women's rights, charity and other pressing issues. During the period 1910-1945, when Korea was under Japanese colonial oppression, Protestantism strengthened its position in Korean society as a religion that awakened and united the masses for the national liberation movement. It should be noted, however, that due to persecution by the Japanese administration, those churches in which anti-colonial sentiments existed were closed. As a result, by the end of the period of Japanese domination in Korea, only those Protestant parishes remained that were loyal to the authorities. During a period of historical upheaval and hardship, particularly the Korean War (1950–1953), the charitable activities of Protestant missionaries led to even greater popularity of this faith. Now Protestantism is the second most followed religion in the Republic of Korea. Catholicism Catholicism appeared in Korea a century before Protestantism, in the 18th century. Originally Catholic doctrines under the name "sohak", i.e. “teachings from the West” were the subject of exclusively scientific interest and were studied by the so-called. “southerners” - representatives of a group that, in the course of factional struggle, was pushed away from power and privileges. Thus, the history of the penetration of Catholicism into Korea has no analogues in history: it was a spontaneous spread of teaching, when neophytes studied Catholic ideas on their own, and themselves turned to preachers with a request to come. At an early stage of its history, Catholicism in Korea was subjected to persecution, during which many martyrs for the faith died. This attitude on the part of the authorities was caused by persistent adherence to an isolationist course, in which a passion for a foreign religion was seen as a challenge to the policies pursued by the state. Currently, the number of Catholics makes up approximately 20% of the total number of believers, and Catholicism ranks third in the list of the largest religious denominations. Islam The first cases of Koreans adopting Islam were recorded in the colonial era, when some extremely small part of the Koreans who were deported to Manchuria, in contact with the Muslims living there, converted to their faith. The full preaching of Islamic teachings among Koreans was carried out during the Korean War (1950 - 1953), when the Turkish military contingent was stationed in the country as part of UN troops. Already in 1955, the Korean Muslim Federation was formed and the first imam was elected. In the 70s the first mosque opened in the Hannam-dong area of Seoul, after which mosques began to appear in such large Korean cities as Busan, Daegu, Jeonju, as well as in a number of cities in the capital province of Gyeonggi-do: Gwangju, Anyang, Ansan, etc. According to data for 2007 ., an estimated 140 thousand Muslims live in Korea. Traditional religions and shamanism Confucianism today attracts attention not as a religious doctrine, but as an ethical and philosophical teaching. On the other hand, Confucian principles permeate the mentality of any Korean to one degree or another. Among the traditional religions, one should also mention Cheondogyo and Taejongyo - the national religions of the Koreans, based on the worship of Tangun as the ancestor and founder of the first Korean state. An important role is also played by such original faiths based on the ideas of social equality as Won Buddhism and Chinsangyo. Significant place in folk beliefs and cults..
It has an interesting history, starting in the distant past. The peninsula consists of two states: the Republic of Korea. Or in another way - South and North Korea. Since these are two completely different states with different forms of government, the situation with religions here is also very different. But before 1945, the countries were one, so their traditional religions are similar. We will take a closer look at these beliefs later in the article.
What is the religion in North Korea?
Socialism rules in the DPRK. This is a closed country where there are even death penalties, and everything is controlled by the state. It is therefore not surprising that the official “religion” here is atheism.
Politics and religion are intertwined in this state. Here there is a cult of the personality of the hereditary ruler, with whom the principles of atheism are very compatible.
However, despite the fact that atheism reigns in the country, there are also adherents of religions. It is worth noting that Buddhism and Confucianism used to reign here, so there is still a small part of Buddhists in the country, there are also Christians and a fairly large percentage of followers of shamanism, but all their religious activities are strictly controlled.
What is the religion in South Korea?
But in South Korea the situation at the moment is completely different. It is an open country whose culture has recently had a great influence on the whole world. So, what are the main religions in South Korea? More than half of the republic’s population (54%) consider themselves to be of one faith or another. And the rest (approximately 46%) are atheists.
According to statistics, 23% of the population are Buddhists, 29% are Christians, and 1-2% adhere to other religions such as Islam, Confucianism, shamanism and others. There are also quite a lot of very young religious movements here.
Christianity
Christianity is the main religion of Korea. There are more than 1,600 churches here, the beauty of which can amaze anyone! The most famous cathedrals are: Conseri, Mendon Cathedral, Jeongdon, Kaesandong.
In Korea until the 18th century, Christianity was completely absent, until Catholic literature reached here from China. And by the nineteenth century there were already 10,000 Christians here.
And then in the same century Protestantism came to Korea from the USA. For the first time, Protestants translated the Bible. The movement gained popularity in the second half of the last century, and in the 90s it became the first religion in Korea after Buddhism.
Currently, 18% of South Koreans consider themselves Protestants, and 11% are Catholics.
Buddhism
Buddhism is popular in the eastern conservative parts of the country (Yeonamme, Gangwon-do). Even those who do not consider themselves Buddhists very often have Buddhist views on life.
This religion penetrated into Korea in the 4th century. Then there was the so-called Chogye Order, which many believers joined. This order is a traditional Buddhist community in Korea to this day. Nowadays, there are many active schools of Buddhism in the country (for example, the “Son” school) and a huge number of temples. Many people in the country celebrate Buddha's birthday in May every year.
Shamanism and Confucianism
Korea's many religions don't stop at Christianity and Buddhism. There is also shamanism and Confucianism, which have few adherents, but these movements play a big role in history:
- Korea itself is undoubtedly shamanistic. It appeared before Buddhism and was then influenced by it. The largest association of shamans consists of 100 thousand people! It is worth considering that shamanism is not a religion as such. This is a belief, but nevertheless it had a strong influence on Korea.
- Confucianism also has a great influence, echoes of which are visible in the culture, lifestyle and way of life of the Koreans. There are more than 200 Confucian academies. This direction, undoubtedly, influenced people's lives. For example, commemorations of ancestors are often carried out according to Confucian rituals. In addition, the country honors and respects older people, they see great importance in self-improvement, etc.
Conclusion
Korea is very diverse. It combines many different religions and beliefs, the history of which dates back to the very distant past. Once upon a time, everything began with shamanism. This is an ancient basis that appeared before other religions and greatly influenced the local people. Many shamanic rituals are still performed.
Then came Buddhism, which is now followed by almost a quarter of South Koreans. About a thousand years after the appearance of Buddhism, Christianity appeared, which has the most adherents. There are a lot of temples and cathedrals in the Republic of Korea.
After the division of the peninsula into two parts, it retained its historically established religions, but atheism was put at the forefront of everything here. But there are still adherents of religions and beliefs.
Such dissimilarity between the two countries, as well as a large number of religions - all this makes this part of the world unforgettable, unique and does not give a clear answer to the question of what religion is in Korea.
Not without reason, the Far East has acquired a reputation as a region whose people are very indifferent to religious issues. The majority of the Chinese and Japanese are really not inclined to take religion seriously, and in this they differ from the inhabitants of both Christian Europe and the Muslim Middle East. However, Korea is in many ways an exception to this general rule. The religious activity of Koreans (more precisely, Korean Christians) is striking to all visitors to this country, which in recent decades has become the only Christian country in the Far East.
According to official statistics, 46% of the Korean population are non-believers; Buddhists 27%; Protestants 18.6%; Catholics 5.7%; Confucians and representatives of other religions - 1% each. Thus, statistics confirm that Christians still form a minority of the Korean population. However, these figures largely distort the real state of affairs, and modern Korea is a Christian (Protestant-Catholic) country. The statistics do not reflect the most important thing - the religious zeal of representatives of different faiths, how seriously they take their beliefs.
Christianity penetrated Korea in the 18th century and, despite prohibitions and persecution, gained a foothold in the country. The last decades have become a time of rapid Christianization. In 1940, Christians made up only 2.2% of the country's total population. By 1972 there were already 12.8%, and in 1990 - 23.2%. One of the most unexpected impressions for most Russians who come to South Korea for the first time is the abundance of Christian churches. The overwhelming majority of Russians cannot imagine a country of the “East” (an extremely unfortunate term, but deeply rooted in the mass consciousness), in which Christianity is, if not the dominant, then at least the most active religion. The Russians are sure that Korea, so to speak, “should be” Buddhist, and, meanwhile, the predominance of Christianity in the country is obvious.
It must be said that statistics, upon closer examination, confirm that Christianity is the most active and influential religion in Korea. First, the younger a person is, the more likely he is to be a Christian. If in the country as a whole in 1991, Buddhists made up 51.2% of believers, and Christians - 45%, then in the same year, among believers aged 20 to 29 years, Buddhists were 40.2%, and Christians - 56.8 %. Secondly, the higher the level of education and social status of a Korean, the more likely it is that he professes Christianity. For example, in December 1994 (I do not have later data), of the 22 cabinet ministers, 11 were Protestants, 4 were Catholics, 6 were atheists, and only one was a Buddhist.
The results of a survey in which believers were asked how often they attend religious services are also interesting. The results of this survey speak for themselves. More than half (54.2%) of Buddhists attended religious ceremonies “once a year or less,” and only 17.2% of all those who considered themselves Buddhists visited temples more than once a month. On the other hand, more than two-thirds of Christians (76.1% of Protestants and 67.2% of Catholics) attended church “once a week or more.”
The number of churches in Korean cities and towns is amazing. Nowadays it is hardly possible to find a village of a hundred houses that does not have at least one church. Crosses installed on the roofs of churches or buildings in which a particular parish rents premises are striking at the most cursory glance at any Korean city. This spectacle looks especially impressive at night, when the crosses glow with red neon flames. The activity of Christian preachers is amazing. A middle-aged man, in a suit and tie, with a Bible in his hand, who, in a voice above the roar of the wheels, calls on all passengers on the train to repent of their sins and believe in Christ - a phenomenon so common that one is even somewhat surprised when, in a whole day full of trips, on the city train, you will never encounter one of these preachers. Equally common are groups of young people who sing religious songs at the entrance to the subway, accompanying themselves on the guitar.
As a result, it is not surprising that the number of Christians in Korea is growing rapidly, while the number of supporters of other religions, including traditional Korean ones, is decreasing. In recent years, Korean missionaries have become active in Russia. It must be said that many Russians often doubt “are they real Christians?” In this doubt, which I have encountered more than once, one senses an underlying confidence that, they say, only a European can be a Christian. Anything, of course, can happen, and among the Korean preachers operating in Russia there are also charlatans, but most of them are quite ordinary American-style Protestants.
