Syncretism in Changdong (창동)

[samedi]

One of the remarkable things about Korea is the degree of syncretism that takes place between religions. While there are several 'universal truths' to be found within the world's belief systems it's not often that they borrow from one another to the extant that they do here. Take, for example, the following sign that I encountered a couple of

Comments

[samedi]

It's a shame I don't know more about the relationships between the different religions here, especially between Shamanism, Daoism, and Buddhism. Maybe after I've been studying Korean for a lot longer I'll have the linguistic proficiency to start looking at original source material ...

even more syncretic

[anonymous]

the sign is for a 망신(or 무당 in the more popular but slightly negative parlance), and it is advertising/marking a place of residence/workplace where you can schedule 굿, and usually get fortune readings and advice.

Re: even more syncretic

[samedi]

Thanks for providing the additional information; it's much appreciated!

daoism

[anonymous]

I don't know much about shamanism, daoism (or Taoism) and buddhism.. Ordinary people will not even care much ;-)

But, i would say, before daoism and buddhism, there was shamanism. Daoism is more related to and has its influence in ordinary people's life and many things are mixed up. Buddhism is rather remote from ordinary men's life. I would guess that Shamanism has some relation to Daoism.

[brighidn]

>The left-facing swastika is said to represent love and mercy while a right-facing
>swastika signifies strength and intelligence.

Can you please confirm for me the provinience of this interpretation of the swastica in Buddhism and/or Korean culture? I was under the impression that the widdershins/deosil opposition of the swastica originated in latter day Europe. Did that spread to Korea recently? Or am I missing another thread?

[samedi]

To be honest, I think that was probably something I picked up from a quick internet search -- possibly even from Wikipedia. Ah, yes, here we go:

Today the symbol is used in Buddhist art and scripture, known in Japanese as a manji (literally, "the character for eternality" 萬字), and represents Dharma, universal harmony, and the balance of opposites. When facing left, it is the omote (front) manji, representing love and mercy. Facing right, it represents strength and intelligence, and is called the ura (rear) manji. Balanced manji are often found at the beginning and end of Buddhist scriptures (outside India). One can see swastika on the Pillars of Ashoka where the swastika is a symbol of the cosmic dance around a fixed center and guards against evil.

This section leads me to believe that such an interpretation might be restricted to Japanese. However, without a citation it could very well be someone retelling an explanation from an informant who could be incorrect.

[brighidn]

Fun tidbit regarding Daoistic strains in new religious movements that I may relate:

One easy theological rule of thumb which orthodox/traditional Daoist believers use to weed out the heterodox groups is that the highest and finest resolution of their theology is usually "up to" the 太極, as you relate here, often along with the mistaken idea that 玉皇大帝 represents the Daoist "God". (While important in Daoism and Confucianism, the idea His centrality as the high-god is pure Chinese Folk Religion, nothing more.)

Case in point, from what I've read of Chondogyo, much of their Daoistic doctrine relates to such folk theologic hierarchy. In fact, it's almost identical to that of the Vietnamese syncretic religion, Cao Dai! While probably ought not presume to speak to the revelatory pith of such prophets, from clues such as this, one can at least say that they possess no deep lineage in the Daoist magisterium.

[samedi]

That is indeed quite interesting to hear! Unfortunately, Daoism is an area in which I know very little about so, while I may try to discuss its appearance within the greater context of Korean society and religious life, I hope I don't make too many incorrect statements about it. I definitely appreciate all of the information you've been offering on the subject!

The 太極 is perhaps the only visible 'everyday' nod to Daoism that I can see in contemporary Korea, but I would like to explore the continuing impact it has had on society. Cheondogyo is certainly an area that I'd like to learn more.