Abstract
The rush of Western civilization, headed by Christianity, caused a considerable identity crisis in the 19th century Joseon dynasty. The founder of Donghak 東學, Suun Choe Je-u 水雲 崔濟愚, sought a way out of the crisis through religion. Suun contended that the religions of both east and west are grounded in the same Way of Heaven, and that it can be ascertained through an experience of mystical union induced by chanting a 21-character incantation. He also emphasized the importance of practicing this Way of Heaven in real life. According to him, the Western invasion is an act of selfishness, and goes against the Heavenly Way. The Heavenly Way is considered a foundation that enables communication and coexistence in a religiously diverse society. Despite the fact that his belief in the universality of the Heavenly Way is based on a personal experience—which is problematic to all mysticisms—Donghak provided a powerful discourse to deal with a variety of challenges of his time. In this age of religious pluralism, Suun’s universalism is significant in exploring the intellectual and spiritual foundation of the modern pluralistic thoughts of Korea.
Highlights
The rush of Western civilization, headed by Christianity, caused a considerable identity crisis in the 19th century Joseon dynasty
This paper focuses on Suun‘s religious solution—Donghak—to the social problems of Joseon
This paper focuses on Suun‘s religious solution—Donghak—to the social problems paper consists largely of two parts
Summary
During the 19th century, the Joseon dynasty was going through a number of problems both domestic and foreign. From within, it was suffering from political chaos; from without, stronger nations such as Russia, China and Japan were out to exploit it. In 1859, when he was thirty-five, he settled in his hometown Yongdam 龍潭 to continue asceticism, had an encounter with the Sangje 上帝 in a religious experience the following year in 1860 After that, he founded Donghak 東學 and spread the teaching, but was arrested under the charge of “deluding the world and deceiving the people,” and was executed in 1864 at the age of 40 (Pyo 2004). 3. The Heavenly Way, the Core Concept of Suun’s Religious Solution roblem. Suun claimed Donghak, the religion he founded, was a synthesis of Confucianism, Buddhism and rough practice of ethical values, which is the most crucial. According to Suun, the three main religions of East Asia, namely Confucianism, Buddhism and all contain parts of the Heavenly.
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