a) The Period of Introduction


After its initial introduction in 372 CE, Buddhism was faced with the problem of settling into a new environment. The socio-philosophical milieu of the time was centered on Shamanism. Accordingly, the main task of Buddhism, as is the case with any new religion, was to try to educate the people by inspiration and sometimes the use of miracles. The main principles of Buddhist teaching were then offered to the people. These consisted mainly of the teachings of karma and cause and effect. So that Buddhism developed its philosophy in Korea centering around the theory of karma, which is a basic doctrine of Buddhism, and this tenet alone reformed the primary Shamanistic culture. The existing gods were naturally assimilated into Buddhism and the foundation was set. Buddhism was welcomed and supported by the kings and royal families of the Three Kingdoms because it could offer a more useful governing ideology for social development, compared to the original system of thinking and culture. It was seen as a much needed element around which the confrontation of the Three Kingdoms could take place. For they were all eager to be the focal point of unification and centralization. Accordingly, Buddhism was accepted by royal families and aristocrats and then it gradually developed into a national system.