3. Choson/Yi (1392-1910)


With the downfall of the Koryo Dynasty in 1392, Buddhism slowly declined as the new rulers of the Choson Dynasty adopted Neo-Confucianism. Prior to this, many Buddhist monks had become overly involved in politics, resulting in royal strife. The new interest in Confucianism led to the oppression and restriction of Buddhism by some Choson kings. Temples could not be built near towns and had to be constructed in the mountains; many temples were pulled down; monks were looked down on and, for many years, not permitted to enter the capital city. While some kings persecuted Buddhism, the common people continued to go to the temples. Scholars, too, frequented the temples.
At the beginning of the Choson Dynasty, geomancers were consulted in order to find the ideal site for a new capital. They chose an ancient place called "Hanyang" which was then renamed "Seoul" and which has been the center of culture and learning for the peninsula since that time. The name means "capital" in Korean and was probably derived from the ancient Indian place most dear to the Buddha: Sravasti. In Chinese, "Sravasti" became "Sarobol" and finally "Seoul" in Korean.

In the late 16th century, during the Japanese invasion by the armies of Hideyoshi, Buddhism came to the country's rescue. At the age of 72, Master Sosan (1520-1604) and his disciple Samyong (1544-1610), trained and led a band of 5,000 Buddhist monks against the Japanese troops who had invaded the peninsula and won. For a short time, the persecution of Buddhism was reduced because the government was grateful to the monks who had saved the country. Following the defeat of the Hideyoshi Invasion, Master Samyong, was sent as chief delegate to Japan and in 1604 he completed a peace treaty.