Religions of Korea in Practice (Princeton Readings in Religions)

By Robert E. Buswell Jr.

Book Description

Korea presents a remarkable tapestry of spiritual traditions that coexist and interweave in ways found nowhere else on earth. This comprehensive anthology opens the door to understanding this extraordinary religious landscape through authentic voices and original source materials spanning centuries of Korean spiritual practice.

Within these pages, readers encounter the full spectrum of Korean religious expression, from ancient shamanic ceremonies that honor the deceased to gentle lullabies designed to soothe restless infants. The collection reveals how Buddhist meditation techniques blend with exorcism practices, while Confucian principles guide both the placement of homes through geomancy and the reverence shown to ancestors. Contemporary Christian worship, both Catholic and Protestant, demonstrates how global faiths take on distinctly Korean characteristics.

The anthology ventures beyond traditional boundaries to explore emerging spiritual movements and their unique practices of internal alchemy. Even North Korea's Juche ideology appears here, revealing how political philosophy can incorporate elements of Marxism alongside Neo-Confucian concepts of filial devotion centered on leadership worship.

Each tradition receives careful attention through extensive translations accompanied by scholarly introductions that illuminate the deeper significance of these practices. For anyone seeking to understand how diverse spiritual paths can flourish within a single culture, this collection offers unprecedented access to Korea's rich religious heritage and its continuing evolution in the modern world.