The power of the Buddhas : the politics of Buddhism during the Koryo dynasty (918-1392) / Sem Vermeersch.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Vermeersch, Sem, 1968- author.

Contributor:

American Council of Learned Societies.

Series:

Harvard East Asian monographs ; 303.

Harvard East Asian monographs ; 303

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Buddhism--Korea--History--935-1392.

Buddhism.

Buddhism and state--Korea--History.

Buddhism and state.

Buddhism--Korea--Rituals--History.

Buddhism and politics--Korea--History.

Buddhism and politics.

Korea--Politics and government--935-1392.

Korea.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xxii, 485 p. ) ill., maps ;

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, Massachusetts ; London : Harvard University Asia Center, [2008]

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Buddhism in medieval Korea is characterized as "State Protection Buddhism," a religion whose primary purpose was to rally support (supernatural and popular) for and legitimate the state. In this view, the state used Buddhism to engender compliance with its goals. A closer look, however, reveals that Buddhism was a canvas on which people projected many religious and secular concerns and desires.This study is an attempt to specify Buddhism's place in Koryo and to ascertain to what extent and in what areas Buddhism functioned as a state religion. Was state support the main reason for Buddhism's dominance in Koryo? How actively did the state seek to promote religious ideals? What was the strength of Buddhism as an institution and the nature of its relationship to the state? What role did Confucianism, the other state ideology, play in Koryo? This study argues that Buddhism provided most of the symbols and rituals, and some of the beliefs, that constructed an aura of legitimacy, but that there was no single ideological system underlying the Koryo dynasty's legitimating strategies.

Contents:

Preliminary Material / Sem Vermeersch

Introduction / Sem Vermeersch

Buddhism and the State in Late Silla / Sem Vermeersch

Foundations of a New Buddhist Policy: T'aejo and Buddhism / Sem Vermeersch

Legal Provisions on the Status of Monks / Sem Vermeersch

The Saṅgha Examination, Ranking, and Administration / Sem Vermeersch

The Royal and State Preceptors / Sem Vermeersch

The Buddhist Temple Economy in Early Koryŏ / Sem Vermeersch

Buddhist State Rituals / Sem Vermeersch

Conclusion / Sem Vermeersch

Biographical Abstracts of Koryŏ Monks / Sem Vermeersch

Character List / Sem Vermeersch

Bibliography / Sem Vermeersch

Index / Sem Vermeersch

Harvard East Asian Monographs / Sem Vermeersch.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Description based on print version record.

ISBN:

9781684174768

1684174767

OCLC:

876275810

Publisher Number:

10.1163/9781684174768 DOI