You do not have permission to edit this page, for the following reasons:

This IP address has been blocked from editing Wikipedia.
This does not affect your ability to read Wikipedia pages.
Most people who see this message have done nothing wrong. Some kinds of blocks restrict editing from specific service providers or telecom companies in response to recent abuse or vandalism, and can sometimes affect other users who are unrelated to that abuse. Review the information below for assistance if you do not believe that you have done anything wrong.

The IP address or range 44.201.0.0/16 has been blocked (disabled) by ‪ST47‬ for the following reason(s):

The IP address that you are currently using has been blocked because it is believed to be a web host provider. To prevent abuse, web hosts may be blocked from editing Wikipedia.
You will not be able to edit Wikipedia using a web host provider because it hides your IP address, much like a proxy or VPN.
We recommend that you attempt to use another connection to edit. For example, if you use a proxy or VPN to connect to the internet, turn it off when editing Wikipedia. If you edit using a mobile connection, try using a Wi-Fi connection, and vice versa. If you are using a corporate internet connection, switch to a different Wi-Fi network. If you have a Wikipedia account, please log in.
If you do not have any other way to edit Wikipedia, you will need to request an IP block exemption.

How to appeal if you are confident that your connection does not use a web host's IP address:
If you are confident that you are not using a web host, you may appeal this block by adding the following text on your talk page: ((unblock|reason=Caught by a web host block but this host or IP is not a web host. My IP address is _______. Place any further information here. ~~~~)). You must fill in the blank with your IP address for this block to be investigated. Your IP address can be determined here. Alternatively, if you wish to keep your IP address private you can use the unblock ticket request system. There are several reasons you might be editing using the IP address of a web host (such as if you are using VPN software or a business network); please use this method of appeal only if you think your IP address is in fact not a web host.

Administrators: The IP block exemption user right should only be applied to allow users to edit using web host in exceptional circumstances, and they should usually be directed to the functionaries team via email. If you intend to give the IPBE user right, a CheckUser needs to take a look at the account. This can be requested most easily at SPI Quick Checkuser Requests. Unblocking an IP or IP range with this template is highly discouraged without at least contacting the blocking administrator.

This block will expire on 23:54, 31 July 2024.

Even when blocked, you will usually still be able to edit your user talk page, as well as email administrators and other editors.

For information on how to proceed, please read the FAQ for blocked users and the guideline on block appeals. The guide to appealing blocks may also be helpful.

Other useful links: Blocking policy · Help:I have been blocked
Your IP address is in a range that has been blocked on all Wikimedia Foundation wikis. The block was made by ‪AntiCompositeNumber‬. The reason given is Open proxy/Webhost: Visit the FAQ if you are affected .
- Start of block: 13:55, 18 August 2022
- Expiry of block: 13:55, 18 April 2025
Your current IP address is 44.201.28.123. The blocked range is 44.201.0.0/16. Please include all above details in any queries you make. If you believe you were blocked by mistake, you can find additional information and instructions in the No open proxies global policy. Otherwise, to discuss the block please post a request for review on Meta-Wiki. You could also send an email to the stewards VRT queue at stewards@wikimedia.org including all above details.

You can view and copy the source of this page:

((short description|Overview of Taoism in Korea))
((More citations needed|date=March 2017))
((Culture of Korea))
((Taoism))
[[File:Flag of South Korea.svg|right|thumb|''Taegeukgi'', the [[flag of South Korea]], with a blue and red ''Taegeuk'' in the center.]]
'''[[Taoism]]''' or "'''Do'''" is thought to be the earliest state philosophy for the Korean people.((Citation needed|date=February 2023)) However, its influence waned with the introduction of [[Buddhism]] during the [[Goryeo]] kingdom as the national religion and the dominance of [[neo-Confucianism]] during the [[Joseon dynasty]]. Despite its diminished influence during those periods, it permeated all strata of the Korean populace, integrating with its native [[animism]] as well as [[Korean Buddhism|Buddhist]] and Confucian institutions, temples, and ceremonies. The Taoist practice in Korea developed, somewhat in contrast to China, as an esoteric meditative practice in the mountains taught by the "mountain masters" or "mountain sages".

One of Korea's well-known founding myths in which a tiger and a bear seek to become human during an encounter with [[Hwanung]] may be viewed as a Taoist parable. The exact origin, despite various theories by historians, is in question because the royal records maintained by the early Korean kingdoms were destroyed during the two occasions in which the royal libraries were burned by invading Chinese armies. Later attempts to study the history and philosophy of Korean Taoism were suppressed during the Joseon kingdom which embraced only [[Confucianism]] as the proper field of study.

== Background ==
Broadly speaking, Taoism, Confucianism and Buddhism infused native [[Totemism]] and [[Korean Shamanism|Shamanism]] from the earliest centuries of the [[Common Era]], but Buddhism dominated official thought during [[Silla]] and [[Goryeo]] dynasties, replaced by [[Korean Confucianism|Confucianism]] during the [[Joseon dynasty]].((Explain|reason=How did these other spiritualities deal with shamanism and what other kinds of shamanism were there?|date=February 2023))

Korean Taoism was influenced by Confucianism and ancient Chinese folk religion.<ref name=":0">((Cite book |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/46661540 |title=World Religions: Eastern Traditions |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |others=Edited by Willard Gurdon Oxtoby |year=2002 |isbn=0-19-541521-3 |edition=2nd |location=Don Mills, Ontario |pages=398 |oclc=46661540))</ref>

Very little writing on Taoism survived prior to the 20th century. Until recently, Taoism in Korea received little attention from scholars, usually only described as a "romantic influence" or "literary theme" within other contexts.<ref name="aasianst.org">((cite conference|url=http://aas2.asian-studies.org/absts/1995abst/korea/kses73.htm |title=Session 73: Taoism: The Forgotten Strand in Korea's Religious Heritage|author= Jahyun Kim Haboush|year=1995|publisher=Association for Asian Studies, Inc.))</ref>

Taoism's effects have been limited because of a lack of an institutional or political base, rejected by Confucian and Buddhist elites. Some modern scholars, however, are calling for a more critical reading of Confucianized histories, study of alternative sources, and a broader definition of Taoism, to find more extensive presence of Korean Taoist ritual practices and positive valuations.<ref name="aasianst.org" />

== Three Kingdoms period ==

=== Goguryeo ===
Taoism first arrived in Korea in 624. Emperor [[Emperor Gaozu of Tang|Gaozu]], the founder of [[China]]'s [[Tang dynasty]], sent a Taoist preacher and literature, [[Laozi]] and [[Zhuangzi (book)|Zhuangzi]], to the [[Goguryeo]] kingdom((dubious|date=September 2023)). These were eagerly welcomed by the Goguryeo's king and his minister [[Yeon Gaesomun]]. Buddhist temples were eventually transformed to Taoist temples. However, this first enthusiasm lasted for only 30 years. Taoist symbols are found in Goguryeo tomb murals near [[Kangso]], [[P'yongan-do]].

Some Taoist beliefs spread from Goguryeo to other places in Korea that last to the modern day.((Further explanation needed|date=July 2023))

Korean Taoism and Korean folk religion from this point onwards had some religious groups believing in the [[Tao]] (or ''[[Tian]]'' or ''Tian'' and ''[[Di (Chinese concept)|Di]]'' as roughly synonymous beings) as a thinking [[Divinity|divine]] entity similar to a [[Monotheism|monotheistic]] [[god]].<ref name=":1">((Cite book |last1=Amore |first1=Roy C. |title=World Religions: Eastern Traditions |last2=Hussain |first2=Amir |last3=Narayanan |first3=Vasudha |last4=Singh |first4=Pashaura |last5=Vallely |first5=Anne |last6=Woo |first6=Terry Tak-ling |last7=Nelson |first7=John K. |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]] |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-19-542676-2 |editor-last=Oxtoby |editor-first=Willard Gurdon |edition=3rd |location=Donn Mills, Ontario |pages=313 |author-link2=Amir Hussain |author-link3=Vasudha Narayanan |author-link4=Pashaura Singh (Sikh scholar) |editor-last2=Amore |editor-first2=Roy C.))</ref> The Tao most often coexisted with another Tao that was non-sapient and represented the laws of nature and "polytheistic belief[s] in [[Veneration of the dead|ancestral spirits]] and nature deities".<ref name=":1" />

=== Baekje ===
In [[Baekje]], Taoism was mentioned in some treatises in passing, and did not take hold as in the other Korean kingdoms.

=== Silla ===
[[Silla]], having received Lao-tzu's [[Tao Te Ching]] in 738 from the Tang emperor, left the most substantial legacy of Taoism. Silla scholars went to China to study Taoism, and Lao-tzu was tested in civil service examinations. [[Sinseon Sasang]], which was relatively widespread in Silla, had its roots in [[animism|animistic]] folk beliefs and practices, but it was also influenced by Korean Taoism.

Silla Taoism concentrated on the practice and training of one's mind or self-discipline. Its most distinctive mark can be found in the [[Hwarang]], an elite armed force noted for its disciplined composure, simplicity, relaxation and harmony, every one a component of philosophical Taoism.

== Goryeo ==
Taoism enjoyed its greatest popularity during the [[Goryeo dynasty]], especially in the court and the ruling class. Taoist court rituals were introduced into Korea from [[Song dynasty]] China, especially under King [[Yejong of Goryeo|Yejong]] (r. 1105–1122). The object of worship in these rituals included most of the major and minor deities of the Taoist pantheon, but certain deities such as [[Samgye]] and [[Chinese theology#Taiyi|T'aeil]] seem to have been the most popular.<ref name="aasianst.org" />

By the mid period of the [[Goryeo]] dynasty, Buddhism dominated Korea, subsuming other religions and philosophies, including Taoism.

== Joseon ==
The state religion under the [[Joseon dynasty]] can be described as Neo-Confucianism, although not popular among the common people. At least at the start of the dynasty, Taoist literature was quite popular among groups of the intelligentsia. These writings on Taoism were predominantly from a Confucian perspective. However, there was a growing opposition from the [[House of Yi|Yi dynasty]]<ref name=":0" /> and Confucian political [[Political faction|factions]] against Taoism, and Taoism began to be perceived as "heretical". However, Taoists were not as [[Persecution|persecuted]] as much as Buddhists.<ref name=":0" /> Subsequently, the presence of Taoism shrank noticeably, and during the 1592 [[Hideyoshi's invasions of Korea|Japanese invasion]], Taoism was systematically abolished.

In the 16th to 18th centuries, Taoism flourished, as literati, monks, private scholars (sarim), and even women, studied and practiced Taoist meditation and inner alchemy (naedan/Danhak) and produced hagiographic and anecdotal accounts of their Taoist contemporaries and forebears. The most important of these accounts known to date are four anecdotal biographies of immortals (Sason chon) in the collected writings of [[Heo Gyun]] (1569–1618), the Ch'onghakjip (Collected Discourses of Master Blue Crane) by Cho Yojok (early 17th century).<ref name="aasianst.org" />

[[Commoner]]s also practiced Taoism and [[liturgy]] among them often included [[invocation]]s to Chinese Taoist deities.<ref name=":0" />

While these were written to encourage Koreans to practice inner alchemy for the sake of immortality (i.e., deliverance from the corpse), they also re-envision and broaden the meaning of Korean religious history by reiterating nativist and folk traditions about the role of Korean mountain recluses and earthbound immortals in the maintenance and protection of Korean society.<ref name="aasianst.org" />

== Modern presence ==
Since the late Joseon dynasty, Taoism has been marginalized not only by the Korean Royal Court, Confucians, and Buddhists but also by society as a whole. Due to such a history, only a handful of Taoists exist throughout Korea today.

Taoism has been absorbed into the traditional Korean vision of the world, a world view in which shamanistic, Confucian, Buddhist, and Taoist elements are so intimately intertwined that often only a scholar can distinguish which is which.<ref name="aasianst.org" />

Evidence of Taoist revival can be seen in [[Tanjeon Hoheup]], [[Tonghak]] and [[Kouk Sun Do]]. Even if the term "Taoism" is not used, the terms, techniques, and goals are clearly Taoist.<ref name="aasianst.org" /> The Taoist mark of Chinese characters ''su'' (longevity) and ''bok'' (bliss) decorate many everyday articles, from spoons to pillow cases, even today. Many place names, especially related to mountains, bear strong Taoist influence.

The Taoist symbol [[Taegeuk]] is featured in the [[flag of South Korea]],<ref>[http://worldpopulationreview.com/flags/south-korea/] The Flag of South Korea</ref> and [[Chondoism]] is the Korean religion with more presence in [[North Korea]], when Chondoist people are represented in politics by [[Chondoist Chongu Party]].

Starting December 2013 and ending in March 2014, the National Museum of Korea held an exhibit dubbed, "Taoist Culture in Korea: The Road to Happiness." The exhibit featured hundreds of pieces of Taoist art and other artifacts from earlier dynasties and kingdoms. One of the few notable artifacts present at the exhibition was the Baekje Gilt-Bronze Incense Burner, which is known for its heavy influence from Buddhism and Taoism.

Modern Korean Taoist organizations are often heavily inspired by [[Way of the Celestial Masters]] beliefs, and sometimes syncretize with [[Korean shamanism|shamanistic]] and other native Korean religious practices taken from antiquity to current times.<ref name=":0" />

== See also ==
* [[Taoism]]
* [[Korean Buddhism]]
* [[Korean Confucianism]]
* [[Korean Shamanism]]
* [[Tonghak]]

== References ==
((reflist))

== Noted scholars ==
* [[Yi Gyu-gyeong]] (1788–?) was a [[Silhak]] scholar wrote many articles on Taoism.
* Hwadam [[Seo Gyeong-deok]]
* Maewoldang [[Kim Si-seup]]

== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20010210003823/http://www.ktnet.co.kr/enghome/culture/faith.html Native Faiths in Korea]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070929114936/http://www.eng.taoism.org.hk/daoist-world-today/academic-research-on-daoism/pg6-4-8-2.asp Daoist Studies in Korea]
* [http://worldpopulationreview.com/flags/south-korea/ The Flag of South Korea]
*[https://exchange.umma.umich.edu/resources/23944 Collection: "Daoism/Taoism"] from the [[University of Michigan Museum of Art]]
*[https://www.korea.net/NewsFocus/Culture/view?articleId=117110 Exhibition on Taoist Culture in Korea: the road to happiness]
*[https://www.museum.go.kr/site/eng/exhiSpecialTheme/view/past?exhiSpThemId=3587&listType=list '''Taoist Culture in Korea: The Road to Happiness''']
*[https://www.museum.go.kr/site/eng/relic/recommend/view?relicRecommendId=519713 Baekje Gilt-Bronze Incense Burner]

[[Category:Religion in Korea]]
[[Category:Korean philosophy]]
[[Category:Taoism in Korea|Korea]]
[[Category:Taoism in Asia|Korea]]

Pages transcluded onto the current version of this page (help):

Taoism in Korea (edit)
Template:Ambox (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Category handler (view source) (protected)
Template:Citation needed (view source) (protected)
Template:Cite book (view source) (protected)
Template:Cite conference (view source) (protected)
Template:Color (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Culture of Korea (edit)
Template:Delink (view source) (protected)
Template:Dubious (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Explain (view source) (extended confirmed protected)
Template:Find sources mainspace (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Fix (view source) (protected)
Template:Fix/category (view source) (protected)
Template:Further explanation needed (edit)
Template:Hlist/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Template:Ifeq (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Longitem (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Main other (view source) (protected)
Template:More citations needed (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Normalwraplink (view source) (extended confirmed protected)
Template:P2 (view source) (protected)
Template:Pagetype (view source) (protected)
Template:Reflist (view source) (protected)
Template:Reflist/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Template:SDcat (view source) (protected)
Template:Short description (view source) (protected)
Template:Short description/lowercasecheck (view source) (protected)
Template:Sidebar (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Sidebar with collapsible lists (view source) (template editor protected)
Template:Taoism (edit)
Module:Arguments (view source) (protected)
Module:Category handler (view source) (protected)
Module:Category handler/blacklist (view source) (protected)
Module:Category handler/config (view source) (protected)
Module:Category handler/data (view source) (protected)
Module:Category handler/shared (view source) (protected)
Module:Check for unknown parameters (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1 (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/COinS (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Date validation (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Identifiers (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Utilities (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/Whitelist (view source) (protected)
Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Module:Delink (view source) (protected)
Module:Disambiguation/templates (view source) (protected)
Module:Find sources (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Find sources/config (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Find sources/links (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Find sources/templates/Find sources mainspace (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:InfoboxImage (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Message box (view source) (protected)
Module:Message box/ambox.css (view source) (protected)
Module:Message box/configuration (view source) (protected)
Module:Namespace detect/config (view source) (protected)
Module:Namespace detect/data (view source) (protected)
Module:Navbar (view source) (protected)
Module:Navbar/configuration (view source) (protected)
Module:Navbar/styles.css (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype/config (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype/disambiguation (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype/setindex (view source) (protected)
Module:Pagetype/softredirect (view source) (protected)
Module:SDcat (view source) (protected)
Module:Sidebar (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Sidebar/configuration (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:Sidebar/styles.css (view source) (template editor protected)
Module:String (view source) (protected)
Module:Unsubst (view source) (protected)
Module:Wikitext Parsing (view source) (protected)
Module:Yesno (view source) (protected)

Return to Taoism in Korea.

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taoism_in_Korea"