Korean Buddhism Essay

1108 Words5 Pages

The art and cultural developments of Korean Buddhism is very fascinating. Korean Buddhism has almost 2,500 year of history and during this time many large temples were made. “The Three Jewel Temples” are the most well-known and also the largest Korean Buddhist temples among the others. These three jewels are Dharma, Sangha, and Buddha in Buddhism ideology. Accordingly, The Buddha is represented by Tongdosa Temple because the famous Buddha’s stupa housing relics from China is there. Dharma (or teaching) is represented by Haeinsa Temple (means reflection on a smooth sea) because it includes many Buddhist scriptures. The third and the most bautiful one is Songgwangsa Temple ( also known as spreading pine temple) and it symbolizes Sangha or Buddhist …show more content…

Famous ancient Korean books, Samguk sagi and Samguk yusa contain some reports about tea as early as 632. Different from tea ceremonies in Japan, tea etiquette of Korea pays attention is about standing natural during partaking. A very long and storied history of Korean Buddhism about food is very important in role and value. Sustaining a meditative life by taking the minimum amount of food is indicated in the Buddhist scriptures as one of the main aspects for the practitioners. Korean Buddhism clarified a unique concept of preparing food in five precepts and forbidding to kill animals is the first one. Thats why, temples always use vegetables and even vegetable oil instead of animal products. The Buddhist rites of Korea can be seperated into two sets: one of them is for the deceased and the other is for the living. During the first class of ceremony Bul-gong takes place in Buddhist offering (which is originated during the period of Sakyamuni Buddha’s life. Two meanings are issued by the Buddhist offering: one is about taking shelter from Buddha and his teachings and dispicles, and the other one is devoting yourself to make promises and to transfer positive thinkings to the others for creating a spiritual wealth and happiness. The Buddhist doctrines of living and dying are the aspects that shape the Buddhist funerals. Accordingly, when someone dies, the body would be