바로가기메뉴

본문 바로가기 주메뉴 바로가기

The Review of Korean Studies

ISSN : 1229-0076

Article Contents

Prev Next
e-Submission

Vol.8 No.3
Citation Share

Buddhism and Confucianism in King Sejong’s State Administration: Tension and Unity between Religion and Politics

The Review of Korean Studies / The Review of Korean Studies, (P)1229-0076; (E)2773-9351
2005, v.8 no.3, pp.25-46

(2005). Buddhism and Confucianism in King Sejong’s State Administration: Tension and Unity between Religion and Politics. The Review of Korean Studies, 8(3), 25-46.
  • Downloaded
  • Viewed
PDF Download

Abstract

This article examines how Sejong, who pursued Confucian politics, recognized and embraced the need for Buddhism at a religious level. In general, Confucianism and Buddhism can be seen as theoretically conflicting. However, Sejong thought that he could govern with Confucianism while maintaining his Buddhist beliefs at the same time. Therefore, though he aspired for Confucian politics, he kept his belief in Buddhism. However, he made a strict distinction between his belief and the purpose of national policy, which led him to restructure secularized Buddhism in a political way. The goal of his reform in Buddhism was not to eradicate Buddhism but to maintain it as a religion. At the same time, he drew attention to the fact that Buddhism as a religion was still functioning nationally and socially under his reign. It was still a religion of the many. Some scholars who had studied Neo-Confucianism also maintained their belief in Buddhism. Under such circumstances, Sejong recognized and tolerated activities of the Buddhist order despite criticism from the strong opponents of Buddhism, and he controlled the content and speed of Buddhist reform. When seen from the Confucian scholars’ perspective, his measures may have seemed ideologically confused. However, for a king who is responsible for state administration, Sejong seems to have taken an appropriate policy that corresponded to the reality of his time.

keywords
Buddhism and Confucianism, religion and politics, knowledge andreligion, King Sejong, criticism on Buddhism, Buddhism and Confucianism, religion and politics, knowledge andreligion, King Sejong, criticism on Buddhism

Reference

1.

The Veritable Records of King Sejong,

2.

The Veritable Records of King Taejo,

3.

The Veritable Records of King Taejong,

4.

The Veritable Records of King Jeongjong,

5.

Bak Beom-hun, (1999) Sejong-i changjehan bulgyo eumak yeongu(Research,

6.

on the Buddhist Music Composed by King Sejong,

7.

Journal of the History of Korean Music,

8.

Baker, (2003) Confucian Christianity: Confucian Ethics without Neo-,

9.

The Encounter of Korean Religions and Christianity Annual Conference of the Luce Foundation Christianity,

10.

April 25-26, The Center for Korean Studies,

11.

(2004) Christianity and the Invention of Korean Religion: From Ritual,

12.

to Theology, The Impact of Christianity on Korean,

13.

May 7, The Center for Korean Studies,

14.

Duncan, (1999) The Origins of the Chosun Dynasty, Seattle: University

15.

Han U-geun, (2001) Yugyo jeongchi-wa bulgyo (Confucian Politics and,

16.

Pu Namchul, (1999) Joseon geon-gukgi seongnihakja-ui idan nonjaeng: bulgyoreul,

17.

The Debate on Heresy,

18.

The Case of, amongst Neo-Confucian Scholars at the Beginning of Joseon,

19.

The Korean Review of Political Thought,

20.

Yi Gi-un, (2001) Joseon sidae naewondang-ui seolchi-wa silpae(Construction,

21.

and Removal of the Inner Shrine in the Joseon Period,

22.

Study of Korean Buddhism,

23.

Yi Jeong-ju, (1999) Joseon Taejong sejongdae-ui eokbul jeongchaek-gwa sawon,

24.

Oppression Policy on Buddhism and the Construction of,

25.

Temples during the Reigns of Taejong and Sejong,

26.

Journal of Korean History,

The Review of Korean Studies

e-Submission OA Policy