(This article appeared as the introduction to the second book, Buddhist Thought in Korea, in a series on Korean Buddhism published by the Korean Buddhist Research Institute of Dongguk University Press. It is written by Professor Lee Pong-chun and offers a different, interesting perspective on the history of Korean Buddhism.
One point must be clarified. All through the history of Korean Buddhism, there was a gentle rivalry between the approach based on academic study and that of practice, meditation, only. Two separate factions were usually clearly discernable. The reconciliation of these two was the wish of many of the great masters such as Master Wonhyo (see p.). In order to make this clear, we have chosen to use capitalized Study (Academic) and Meditation when mentioning the schools or factions as opposed to the activity.)

Originally, Buddhism was introduced to Korea as a foreign thought system. Growing up in India and coming to Korea through Central Asia and China, the initial phase of introduction and the subsequent integration was difficult and only slowly did Korean Buddhism emerge and a new development take place. This then became the ideological foundation and cultural backdrop of the Korean people, influencing every stage of history and every aspect of culture. The process of the creation of Korean Buddhism was, like the development of Buddhist culture in other countries, the welding together of the teachings of the Buddha with the indigenous culture. Thus Koreans added their own characteristics to the basic Buddhism which they received, creating a totally new form of Buddhism which differs from that of India and that of China.
The individuality and unique characteristics of Korean Buddhism are seen through the whole of Korean culture. In particular they are vividly confirmed in the tracing of the development of Korean Buddhist thought.
This overview of the Buddhist philosophical trends will help the reader to understand the overall process and the main characteristics which have persisted throughout the evolution of the development of Korean Buddhism: The Process of Philosophical Development

Ever since its introduction to the peninsula, Korean Buddhist thought has undergone various stages in its evolution. These are summarized as follows:

a) Period of Introduction: the initial contact and subsequent adjustment;
b) Period of Settlement: the beginning of Hinayana and Mahayana studies in the Three Kingdoms Period;
c) Period of Expansion: enlargement and development of various fields of Mahayana studies in the middle Shilla Period;
d) Period of Spreading: introduction of Zen in the late Shilla Period and encouragement of Buddhist studies in the early Koryo Period;
e) Period of Transfiguration: development of community movements and acceptance of Linchi (Kor. Imje; Jap. Rinzai) Zen in the late Koryo Period;
f) Period of Stagnation: oppression of Buddhism in the early Choson Period;
g) Period of Taking a New Direction: union of Zen and Academic study and three approaches of practice after the middle Choson Period.

The above divisions are purely arbitrary and defined for convenience's sake. However, they do trace the process of development through the different periods of history and so delimit the advancement of Korean Buddhist thought. Let us now briefly examine the content of Buddhist thought in conformity with each period.