The purpose of this paper was to examine the relationship between the state and eminent monks in medieval Korea （918-1392） on the basis of various primary sources and to highlight the need of the re-examination of t...The purpose of this paper was to examine the relationship between the state and eminent monks in medieval Korea （918-1392） on the basis of various primary sources and to highlight the need of the re-examination of the nature of Korean Buddhism, and by extension, that of East Asian Buddhism. To this end, this research examines the position of Buddhism, the state Buddhist policies, the roles of monks in response to the policies, and the identity of monks in medieval Korea. The conclusion is that medieval Korea took carrot-and-stick approach to Buddhism and in response, playing as political advisors, subjects to the ruler, thaumaturgies, entrepreneurs, and even warriors, power-oriented monks ingratiated themselves with the state Buddhist policies for their sustenance on practical considerations, often violating the basic teachings of the Buddha and creating issues regarding their identity as monks. This Korean tradition in a larger part appears to be a product of the Sinicized Buddhism, thus highlighting the need of further in-depth research on the nature of Korean Buddhism in particular and that of East Asian Buddhism in general.展开更多
文摘The purpose of this paper was to examine the relationship between the state and eminent monks in medieval Korea （918-1392） on the basis of various primary sources and to highlight the need of the re-examination of the nature of Korean Buddhism, and by extension, that of East Asian Buddhism. To this end, this research examines the position of Buddhism, the state Buddhist policies, the roles of monks in response to the policies, and the identity of monks in medieval Korea. The conclusion is that medieval Korea took carrot-and-stick approach to Buddhism and in response, playing as political advisors, subjects to the ruler, thaumaturgies, entrepreneurs, and even warriors, power-oriented monks ingratiated themselves with the state Buddhist policies for their sustenance on practical considerations, often violating the basic teachings of the Buddha and creating issues regarding their identity as monks. This Korean tradition in a larger part appears to be a product of the Sinicized Buddhism, thus highlighting the need of further in-depth research on the nature of Korean Buddhism in particular and that of East Asian Buddhism in general.
