Ancient Korean Religion
Shamanism
Shamanism was and still is a religion in Korea though in
ancient times, Buddhism intended to make their religion
more diverse and tried to make Koreans stop their shamanism
beliefs. Korean shamanism, today is known as Muism, or
sometimes Sinism. The government has discouraged belief
in shamanism as superstition and for many years minimized
its persistence in Korean life. Yet in a climate of growing
nationalism and cultural self-confidence, the dances, songs,
and incantations that compose the 'gut' have come to be
recognized as an important aspect of Korean culture.
ancient times, Buddhism intended to make their religion
more diverse and tried to make Koreans stop their shamanism
beliefs. Korean shamanism, today is known as Muism, or
sometimes Sinism. The government has discouraged belief
in shamanism as superstition and for many years minimized
its persistence in Korean life. Yet in a climate of growing
nationalism and cultural self-confidence, the dances, songs,
and incantations that compose the 'gut' have come to be
recognized as an important aspect of Korean culture.
Buddhism
Buddhism was first introduced to Korea from China in 372 A.D.
Since Buddhism was not seen to be in conflict with the rites of
nature worship, it was able to naturally blend in with Shamanism.
And so many of the special mountains believed to be the residence
of spirits in pre-Buddhist times soon became the sites of Buddhist temples.
Since Buddhism was not seen to be in conflict with the rites of
nature worship, it was able to naturally blend in with Shamanism.
And so many of the special mountains believed to be the residence
of spirits in pre-Buddhist times soon became the sites of Buddhist temples.