ABSTRACT

Religious and Philosophical Traditions of Korea addresses a wide range of traditions, serving as a guide to those interested in Buddhism, Confucianism, Shamanism, Christianity and many others. It brings readers along a journey from the past to the present, moving beyond the confines of the Korean peninsula. In this book Kevin N. Cawley examines the different ideas which have shaped a vibrant and exciting intellectual history and engages with some of the key texts and figures from Korea’s intellectual traditions. This comprehensive and riveting text emphasises how some of these ideas have real relevance in the world today and how they have practical value for our lives in the twenty-first century.

Students, researchers and academics in the growing area of Korean Studies will find this book indispensable. It will also be of interest to undergraduates and graduate students interested in the comparative study of Asian religions, philosophies and cultures.

chapter 1|21 pages

Religions and philosophies in East Asia

‘Pathways’ for self-transformation

chapter 2|26 pages

Adaptations and interactions

Chinese traditions and Korean ways

chapter 3|34 pages

From Buddhism to Neo-Confucianism

Hegemony and metaphysics

chapter 4|34 pages

Sagehood meets ‘Western’ learning

From ‘Principle’ to ‘The Lord of Heaven’

chapter 5|34 pages

‘Eastern’ learning and Protestant Christianity

New religions and a ‘Korean’ god

chapter 6|32 pages

Korea’s complex modernity

Buddhist renewals, post-Christianities, Juche and Shamanism

chapter |7 pages

Epilogue