A Study on the Possibility of Religious Governance of New Religions in Korea: Focusing on the Ecological Worldview of Donghak and Won Buddhism
The most serious threats to humankind today are environmental and ecological problems. The global warming in particular is generally perceived as a serious threat to the survival of humanity and this sense of urgency has given us a chance to consider our place in the ecosystem and question our anthr...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-12-01
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| Series: | Religions |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/13/12/1165 |
| _version_ | 1797455433666920448 |
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| author | Jongman Kim Andrew Eungi Kim |
| author_facet | Jongman Kim Andrew Eungi Kim |
| author_sort | Jongman Kim |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The most serious threats to humankind today are environmental and ecological problems. The global warming in particular is generally perceived as a serious threat to the survival of humanity and this sense of urgency has given us a chance to consider our place in the ecosystem and question our anthropocentrism. Various faiths acknowledge human obligations to protect the environment and preserve biodiversity. In the Korean context, while the eco-friendly worldviews of Buddhism are well-known, very little is known about other Korean religions’ views on the environment. This paper examines whether representative new religions of Korea, namely Donghak and Won Buddhism, can contribute as “religious mechanisms” in alleviating ecological problems. The paper particularly focuses on the former’s doctrine of <i>samgyeong</i> or “the Threefold Respect” and the latter’s philosophy of <i>saeun</i> or “the Fourfold Grace,” examining their relevance for religious governance. The paper argues that these two doctrines are permeated with an ecological view implying the need for all living things, including humans, animals and plants as well as the natural environment, to coexist. The paper also argues that these two religions, complete with guidelines for actions or practices, provide a path for building the possibility of religious governance through religious awakening of believers, mutual respect and mutual trust, and mutual communication and reflective cooperation. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:54:20Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-42d41689ce334cb39ecabac1f68e4c60 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2077-1444 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T15:54:20Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Religions |
| spelling | doaj.art-42d41689ce334cb39ecabac1f68e4c602023-11-24T17:44:25ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442022-12-011312116510.3390/rel13121165A Study on the Possibility of Religious Governance of New Religions in Korea: Focusing on the Ecological Worldview of Donghak and Won BuddhismJongman Kim0Andrew Eungi Kim1Institute for Religion and Civic Culture, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of KoreaCollege of International Studies, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of KoreaThe most serious threats to humankind today are environmental and ecological problems. The global warming in particular is generally perceived as a serious threat to the survival of humanity and this sense of urgency has given us a chance to consider our place in the ecosystem and question our anthropocentrism. Various faiths acknowledge human obligations to protect the environment and preserve biodiversity. In the Korean context, while the eco-friendly worldviews of Buddhism are well-known, very little is known about other Korean religions’ views on the environment. This paper examines whether representative new religions of Korea, namely Donghak and Won Buddhism, can contribute as “religious mechanisms” in alleviating ecological problems. The paper particularly focuses on the former’s doctrine of <i>samgyeong</i> or “the Threefold Respect” and the latter’s philosophy of <i>saeun</i> or “the Fourfold Grace,” examining their relevance for religious governance. The paper argues that these two doctrines are permeated with an ecological view implying the need for all living things, including humans, animals and plants as well as the natural environment, to coexist. The paper also argues that these two religions, complete with guidelines for actions or practices, provide a path for building the possibility of religious governance through religious awakening of believers, mutual respect and mutual trust, and mutual communication and reflective cooperation.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/13/12/1165Donghak (Eastern Learning)CheondogyoWon Buddhism<i>samgyeong</i> (the Threefold Respect)<i>saeun</i> (the Fourfold Grace)religious governance |
| spellingShingle | Jongman Kim Andrew Eungi Kim A Study on the Possibility of Religious Governance of New Religions in Korea: Focusing on the Ecological Worldview of Donghak and Won Buddhism Religions Donghak (Eastern Learning) Cheondogyo Won Buddhism <i>samgyeong</i> (the Threefold Respect) <i>saeun</i> (the Fourfold Grace) religious governance |
| title | A Study on the Possibility of Religious Governance of New Religions in Korea: Focusing on the Ecological Worldview of Donghak and Won Buddhism |
| title_full | A Study on the Possibility of Religious Governance of New Religions in Korea: Focusing on the Ecological Worldview of Donghak and Won Buddhism |
| title_fullStr | A Study on the Possibility of Religious Governance of New Religions in Korea: Focusing on the Ecological Worldview of Donghak and Won Buddhism |
| title_full_unstemmed | A Study on the Possibility of Religious Governance of New Religions in Korea: Focusing on the Ecological Worldview of Donghak and Won Buddhism |
| title_short | A Study on the Possibility of Religious Governance of New Religions in Korea: Focusing on the Ecological Worldview of Donghak and Won Buddhism |
| title_sort | study on the possibility of religious governance of new religions in korea focusing on the ecological worldview of donghak and won buddhism |
| topic | Donghak (Eastern Learning) Cheondogyo Won Buddhism <i>samgyeong</i> (the Threefold Respect) <i>saeun</i> (the Fourfold Grace) religious governance |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/13/12/1165 |
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