Korea Essay -- essays research papers

The Korean Religious HeritageKoreas religious heritage has contributed to the teaching of the Unification Church. Since it first appeared on Korean soil and was supply by the Korean philosophy of life, the new movement was naturally influenced to some extent by its environment. Just as Eastern Orthodoxy cannot be understood apart(predicate) from Christian Hellenism, and Roman Catholicism is a product of Latin civilization, so the Unification Church greatly profited from the religious development of its homeland.Koreas indigenous religion, like that of around early cultures, was a form of shamanism. This original credit has never completely disappeared and still exerts considerable influence. Ancient Koreans believed in a variety of supernatural spirits, two good and evil. But more important was the one supreme Spirit, Hananim, the creator and beneficent ruler over creation. This high God was worshipped at ken shrines and to win his favor animal sacrifices were offered at appro priate times. Springtime and harvest festivals were particularly important. For more details, one can look at my book entitle Faiths of the Far East. 1For our purposes, it is merely necessary to point out that from time immemorial Koreans believed in the existence of one Lord of heaven and earth as well as numerous lesser spirits. From earliest times Koreans have experienced direct contact with supernatural powers.Furthermore, shamanism emphasized Koreas unique intention in history. Traditionally, Koreans dressed in white, because this symbolized their faith that they were children of the divine light. For centuries the shamans taught that Koreans had been chosen for a special purpose in Gods plan for mankind. One should therefore not omit the religious dimension of Korean nationalism.Then, as Buddhism spread from India across East Asia, it was planted in Korea. For a thousand years, Mahayana Buddhism, which came via China, was the court religion and popular faith of the Korean mo narchy. Numerous Buddhist temples were erected at government expense. Monks and nuns became a normal feature of Korean society. Education and the fine arts were inspired by Buddhist teachings. Powerful abbots were advisors to the king as well as being the teachers of conventional morality. It would be impossible to exaggerate the religious, ethical and cultural effect which a millennium of Buddhist life a... ...s case came to trial several months later, he was completely exonerated.In spite of persecution, the Unification Church continued to grow. In 1958 a missionary was sent to Japan and the following year I came to Eugene, Oregon, as the first missionary to the United States. By 1975 missionary teams had been sent to one hundred and xx countries.In 1960 grand Moon married Hak Ja Han. He and his wife moved to America in 1972, where he had begun nation-wide speaking tours. These culminated in the Madison Square tend rally. As a result of this American publicity, the foundatio n was laid for an immense World recall for Korean Freedom in Seoul at which Reverend Moon spoke to more than one million people on June 7, 1975. His Yankee Stadium appearance took place on June 1, 1976, and the Washington Monument Rally on September 18, 1976, provided an appropriate finale to Reverend Moons public speaking campaigns in the United States.Throughout his life, his motto has beenTo restore the world,Let us go forthWith the heart of the FatherIn the shoes of a servant,Shedding sweat for the earth,Tears for manAnd blood for heaven.9 Hyo-Won Eu. The Apostolic Herald, November, 1956.