Religions in South Korea

Religion is a major component of Korean Society. The religious in South Korea influence daily thoughts, customs and behaviours. South Koreans practice a variety of religions, even though some of the religious are very different from each other. Nowadays, most of the South Koreans think that religion is an important part of their everyday lives. 

Buddhism, Confucianism, Christianity and Shamanism are the main religions in South Korea. However, Islam and Hinduism are consider as other religions that found in South Korea. 

1. Buddhism(Bulgyo)

A Buddhist Temple in South Korea's Pukhan Mountains.

During the Three Kingdoms period (4th Century),the traditional religions of China: Buddhism (Bulgyo) entered Korea Peninsula. Buddhism was the dominant religious and cultural influence during the Silla (668-935) and subsequent Goryeo (918-1392) dynasties. Buddhism in the contemporary state of South Korea is stronger in the east of the country, which namely Yeongnam and Gangwon regions as well as in Jeju. 

  A Stone Statue of Buddha.

   

Lotus Lantern Festival. This festival celebrates the birth of 

Shakyamuni Buddha on the 8th day of the 4th lunar month.

                                                                                                              

Beomeosa Temple in Cheongnyong-dong, Geumjeong-gu,
Busan, South Korea.

Bulguksa Temple in Jinheon-dong, Gyeongju city, North
Gyeongsang province, South Korea. 

There are a number of different schools in Korean Buddhism, including the Seon (Korean Zen). The majority of Buddhist temples in South Korea belong to Jogye Order that is related to the Seon school. Most of the country's old and famous temple such as Bulguksa and Beomeosa Temple are operated by the Jogye Order. Beomeosa Temple and Bulguksa Temple are the head temple of  the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. Buddhist temple are smaller buildings dedicated to the local mountain god or other spirits whose intercession on behalf of the faithful is believed to bring good fortune.

2. Confucianism(Yugyo)

Confucianism was received in Korea at about the same time as Buddhism. Although Confucianism is not technically a religion, but the teachings of Confucius permeate throughout Korean Society. Confucianism is primarily concerned with the fulfillment of responsibilities. Adopted as the state ideology of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), Confucianism was more based on a system of ethics than religion. The legacy of Confucianism remains a fundamental part of Korea Society, shaping the moral system, the everyday life, social relations between old and young. The spiritual vacuum was filled by Confucianism.

Reenactment of a traditional Confucian Tea Ceremony.

A Confucian ritual ( Bowing to the ancestors as part of a Jesa).

      

Shrine of a Confucian school in

Gangneung.

Confucian rituals are still practiced at various times of the year. South Korea emphasis on education and respect for the ancestors also came from the teaching of Confucius.

The main plaza of the Seonggyungwan, 

the National Confucian Academy of the Joseon Dynasty in Seoul.

3. Christianity(Gidoggyo)
Christianity in South Korea is constituted by two communities, which are Protestantism (Gaesingyo) and Catholicism (Cheonjugyo). Koreans were the first introduced to Christianity through Jesuits in China. A decade after the return of Yi Sung-hun, who was the first baptized Korean in Beijing, the Roman Catholic just arrived in Korea in 1794. However, Protestant missionaries were brought to South Korea during the late 19th century along with Catholic priests. Protestantism established numerous schools, universities, medical centers and orphanages throughout the country. 

This is the largest Christian Congregation in the country. 
The entrance to Yoido Full Gospel Church in Seoul, the country's capital. 
This church reputed to be the world's largest with a congregation of 700,000 members. 

The most prominent of Confucian rituals are the annual rites held at the Shrine of Confucius in Seoul. The National Academy as the beginning of Confucian studies produced a quite important number of Confucian scholars.  

 

Protestant Church in Seoul.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints of South Korea.

Myungsung Church in Gongdong-gu, Seoul.

On the average, Christian families are better educated and have a higher standard of living. Christians also tend to be concentrated in urban areas. Their personal influence on social, economic and political issues are significant. Today, there are approximately 13.7 million Christians in South Korea.

4. Shamanism(Muism/Sinism)

This is some of the traditional gods that revered by
Korean Shamas. 

Korea Shamanism also known as "Muism" (Mugyo) or "Sinism" (Singyo). This is  the ethnic religion of Korea and Koreans. Shamanism revolves around a mudang (Hangul), which is priest or priestess who acts as an intermediary between the spirits or gods and living worlds. 

This is the large-scale shaman kut that found at the
Korean Folk Village.

Shamanism is the basic belief that all the happiness are came from the harmony with nature. It is the belief that everything has spirit rather than the idea of a transcendent God.

Shamanism can take the form of simple rituals such as a ceremony to clear the evil spirits from a new residence.                                                    

This is one of the representation of a shaman
kut ceremony. 

Most of the shamans are women, who want the help of the spirit world. However, there are still some of the male shamans. Female shamans hold kut or services to gain a good fortune and to guide the spirit of a deceased person to heaven. Shamanism believed that all of the spirits have power to affect the life of people and changes the fortune of men and women.                                                                                          

5. Islam(Iseullamgyo)                                                                                             

There are a few of Koreans that embraced to the Islamic beliefs in South Korea during the Korean War. The Islamic Society of Korea and the first Korean Imam was developed in 1955. There are about 40,000 Muslims that present in South Korea. Islam currently has about 60 places of worship across Korea. 

The Seoul Central Mosque in Itaewon, Seoul.  

This is the largest mosque that located at the Itaewon district of Seoul. However, there are some smaller mosques that can be found in South Korea's major cities. 

6. Hinduism(Hindugyo)

Hinduism is practiced among South Korea's small Nepali immigrant and Indian community. There are two main Hindu temples that can be found in the Seoul region. 

This is the Sri Radha Shyamasundar Mandir that
located in Seoul. 

This is the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple that
located on Seoul's outskirts.

These temples are the most important temples that can be found in Seoul by Hinduism. Most of the younger South Koreans are attracted by the Hindu traditions such as Yoga and Vedanta. 

As a result, religions will change people behaviours as they spread throughout the world. But that's what makes it interesting and awesome. According to Martin Luther King Jr, "Faith is taking the first step even when you can't see the entire staircase."

By : Voon Nyet Teng