<i>Hoedang and Jingakjong</i>: Esoteric Buddhism in Contemporary Korea

This article discusses the emergence, transformation, and transmission of an esoteric Buddhist movement that Hoedang (孫珪祥, Kyu-shang Sohn [or Sohn, Gyu-sang], 1902–1963) began in the 1940s and 1950s. Starting in the middle of the eighth century, the history of Korean Esoteric Buddhism indicates that...

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Main Author: David W. Kim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-09-01
Series:Religions
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/13/10/908
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author David W. Kim
author_facet David W. Kim
author_sort David W. Kim
collection DOAJ
description This article discusses the emergence, transformation, and transmission of an esoteric Buddhist movement that Hoedang (孫珪祥, Kyu-shang Sohn [or Sohn, Gyu-sang], 1902–1963) began in the 1940s and 1950s. Starting in the middle of the eighth century, the history of Korean Esoteric Buddhism indicates that the tradition continued to exist (albeit marginally) until the Joseon dynasty (1392–1897). However, this case study, which focuses on the new religious sect of Jingak, explorers Jingak’s reformist characteristics and its efforts toward the renewal of Korean Buddhism in contemporary society. The article argues that the founder was intellectually receptive to other teachings, including the performance of esoteric healing, the prosocial characters of Pragmatic Buddhism, the doctrine of Japanese Shingon, and permitting priests to marry. This article additionally attempts to identify the innovative philosophy (including <i>Simin</i>, 心印, original sinless self) of Korean Esoteric Buddhism, in the combined concepts of <i>Jinho gukga bulsa</i> (鎭護國家佛事, Protecting the nation by the teaching of Buddhism), <i>Iwon Weonri</i> (二元原理, Relative Principle), <i>Simin Bulgyo</i> (心印佛敎, Mind-seal Buddhism), and <i>Silhaengnon</i> (實行論, The Teachings of Hoedang—Practical Theory).
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spelling doaj.art-daba805b03304eabbdfbc46798a7e1cb2023-11-24T02:16:15ZengMDPI AGReligions2077-14442022-09-01131090810.3390/rel13100908<i>Hoedang and Jingakjong</i>: Esoteric Buddhism in Contemporary KoreaDavid W. Kim0School of History, Australian National University, Canberra 2600, AustraliaThis article discusses the emergence, transformation, and transmission of an esoteric Buddhist movement that Hoedang (孫珪祥, Kyu-shang Sohn [or Sohn, Gyu-sang], 1902–1963) began in the 1940s and 1950s. Starting in the middle of the eighth century, the history of Korean Esoteric Buddhism indicates that the tradition continued to exist (albeit marginally) until the Joseon dynasty (1392–1897). However, this case study, which focuses on the new religious sect of Jingak, explorers Jingak’s reformist characteristics and its efforts toward the renewal of Korean Buddhism in contemporary society. The article argues that the founder was intellectually receptive to other teachings, including the performance of esoteric healing, the prosocial characters of Pragmatic Buddhism, the doctrine of Japanese Shingon, and permitting priests to marry. This article additionally attempts to identify the innovative philosophy (including <i>Simin</i>, 心印, original sinless self) of Korean Esoteric Buddhism, in the combined concepts of <i>Jinho gukga bulsa</i> (鎭護國家佛事, Protecting the nation by the teaching of Buddhism), <i>Iwon Weonri</i> (二元原理, Relative Principle), <i>Simin Bulgyo</i> (心印佛敎, Mind-seal Buddhism), and <i>Silhaengnon</i> (實行論, The Teachings of Hoedang—Practical Theory).https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/13/10/908Esoteric BuddhismJingak OrdermarriageHeodangJapanese Shingon
spellingShingle David W. Kim
<i>Hoedang and Jingakjong</i>: Esoteric Buddhism in Contemporary Korea
Religions
Esoteric Buddhism
Jingak Order
marriage
Heodang
Japanese Shingon
title <i>Hoedang and Jingakjong</i>: Esoteric Buddhism in Contemporary Korea
title_full <i>Hoedang and Jingakjong</i>: Esoteric Buddhism in Contemporary Korea
title_fullStr <i>Hoedang and Jingakjong</i>: Esoteric Buddhism in Contemporary Korea
title_full_unstemmed <i>Hoedang and Jingakjong</i>: Esoteric Buddhism in Contemporary Korea
title_short <i>Hoedang and Jingakjong</i>: Esoteric Buddhism in Contemporary Korea
title_sort i hoedang and jingakjong i esoteric buddhism in contemporary korea
topic Esoteric Buddhism
Jingak Order
marriage
Heodang
Japanese Shingon
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/13/10/908
work_keys_str_mv AT davidwkim ihoedangandjingakjongiesotericbuddhismincontemporarykorea