Hoguk Bulgyo Korea’s Nation- Protecting Buddhism a Dharma-Talk for the International Seon Center of Dongguk University, Seoul March 19th, 2560 (2016) Professor David A. Mason Korean Public Service Department Chung-Ang University, Seoul

護國佛敎 호국불교 “Nation Protection Buddhism” Hoguk Bulgyo 護國佛敎 호국불교 “Nation Protection Buddhism”

It involves the concept of Karma Buddhist ethics are traditionally based on the enlightened perspective of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, as stated in the scriptures, and then interpreted by enlightened teachers, and then handed down through cultural traditions. It involves the concept of Karma

The Bhagavad-gītā part of the Hindu epic Mahabharata Dharma is to perform your Karma, but selflessly

Indian Sanskrit term for ethics or morality used in Buddhism is śīla शील, or sīla in Pāli. 戒 계 gye precepts “warn, caution, admonish” NOT “commandments” It is one of 3 sections of the Noble Eightfold Path

internal, aware, and intentional ethical behavior, according to one's commitment to the path of liberation ethical compass within self and in relationships not the Western concept of "morality" as obedience to God’s laws, inborn obligation / external constraint, absolute sin, test of soul

Karma is moral action which has moral consequences on the actor the core of karma is mental intention accidentally hurting someone is not bad Karma, but having hurtful thoughts or intentions is which leaves scope of intention open

the first of the Five Precepts that Buddhists take is: “I accept the training rule to abstain from killing.” for monks, this means any animal some level of vegetarianism

Sakyamuni Buddha taught that “right livelihood” means non-violence: not to fight in wars or support them, and not to make or sell weapons, and that “victory” is a kind of suffering. Various Mahayana Sutras restated this There are many modern Buddhist peace activists

However, many Buddhist monks and followers have performed acts of violence, including armed service as soldiers Emperor Ashoka, Ceylon and SE Asia, Tibetans, Mongols, Shaolin Monastery, Japanese monks and Samurai

usually to defend temple/sect, or by ideology of protecting the Dharma or of spreading “the True Dharma” as a “good intention” with good karma killing to prevent a worse result is viewed as meritorious, good karma

skillful or expedient means to accomplish Dharma or do Good Bangpyeon 方便 방 편 skillful or expedient means to accomplish Dharma or do Good

Hoguk-sambu-gyeong 호국삼부경 護國三部經 Three Nation-Protecting Sutras Give justification for killing as soldiers, if it’s for the king / nation

Geum Gwangmyeong-gyeong Hoguk-sambu-gyeong Inwang-gyeong 仁王經 Benevolent (or Humane) King Sutra Beobhwa-gyeong 法華經 Lotus Sutra Geum Gwangmyeong-gyeong 金剛明經 Golden Light Sutra

Buddhism was accepted in Shilla in 527, only after Ichadon had himself martyred in front of King Beopheung and miracles occurred the new faith was employed to strengthen the state and unite the populace in its service, including promoting national military defense

including the construction of special tutelary temples and monuments, and the training of selected young men as Buddhist-inspired warriors in a system called hwarang-do

Shilla’s Hwarang Warriors

Great Dharma-Master Won-gwang Beop-sa 원광법사 圓光法士 558-638 (to Ch 589, return 599, traveled through Sui)

Wongwang’s 5 Principles of Hwarang-do: Loyalty to king Devotion towards parents Trust your friends Fight without retreat Kill only when necessary and then with compassion

with Nine-story Pagoda 九層塔 Hwangryong-sa 皇龍寺 with Nine-story Pagoda 九層塔

Sa-cheonwang-saji Mt. Nang-san, Gyeongju King Munmu, 674

Sa-cheonwang Four Heavenly Guardian Kings depicted in the Inwang-gyeong as guardians of the faithful nations

Sacheonwang-sa 四天王寺 Four Heavenly Kings Temple-site

also under King Munmu: foundation of Beomeo-sa 범어사 梵魚寺 Dharma Fish Temple Offshore Rocks Tomb and Gameun-sa Temple 감은사 感恩寺 themes of national defense against Japan

Gameun-saji 감은사지 感恩寺址 Temple-Site

Founding King Taejo Wang Geon 太祖王建 declared that the establishment of the Goryeo Dynasty was possible because of the blessing of the Buddha. As a pious Buddhist he attributed his military and political success to Buddhism’s protective powers.

He was also a firm believer in pungsu-jiri (風水地理, feng-shui) geomancy, following the teachings and recommendations left behind by the previous century’s Master Doseon, and he constructed numerous Buddhist temples and pagodas according to geomantic principles with a view to increasing prosperity and protection from the energies of favorable sites while curbing forces emanating from unfavorable places. Both of these factors stemming from the dynasty's founder contributed to the advancement of the hoguk-bulgyo traditions.

1232.12.16 – during the 2nd Mongol Invasion of Goryeo, in the Battle of Cheo-in Fortress (now in Yongin County), monk-commander Kim Yun-hu defeated the barbarian horde and killed its leader Sartai with an arrow-shot.

선불교 禪 Seon Bulgyo Korean Zen Buddhism Master-Disciple Lineage disciplined training and national loyalty are is highly important

A Unified National Buddhism

Based on Mountains

1592-98 Japanese Invasion of Korea Imjin-waeran 임진왜란 壬辰倭亂 1592-98 Japanese Invasion of Korea

Master Cheongheo Hyujeong, Seosan 서산 西山 1520-1604 Master Cheongheo Hyujeong, or Seosan-daesa

Pyochung-sa Shrine was erected in 1669 to revere Monk Seosan Daesa

Pyochung-sa 표충사

Samyeong-daesa

Patriotic Defenders of the Nation Samyeong Yeonggyu Seosan Patriotic Defenders of the Nation

Namhan Sanseong Fortress

Gun-beopsa 군법사 軍法師 Buddhist military chaplain or Dharma Instructor Buddhist Chaplains serving in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Korea

www.san-shin.org Further Information: “Encyclopedia of Korean Buddhism” in English, 650 pages with illustrations by Dongguk University, the Jogye Order and Unju-sa Publishers

The Profound Life, Wisdom Solitary Sage The Profound Life, Wisdom and Legacy of Korea’s “Go-un” Choi Chi-won New Book March 2016 Lulu.com Amazon, etc. or contact me 30. Records about his actual biography and accomplishments more than 1000 years ago are only fragmentary however, found in various documents surviving from both China and Korea, and in some cases appear to contradict each other. It has been difficult for scholars to separate the folklore myths and legends about his life from the solid facts, and make a coherent story out of them. 31. We can certainly say that he is an important person to remember in the cultural history of Korea, and an excellent figure to promote internationally as a symbol of the best parts of Korea’s traditions. Supreme Court Justice Kwon Soon-il recently made this summary statement: by Professor David A. Mason