Buddhism Of Silla And Its Impacts

During three kingdoms of ancient Korea, Buddhism-was propagated to Korean peninsula. Although Silla was the last one to introduce Buddhism, the fact was that Buddhism in Silla was the most prosperous. Buddhism's process of propagating was accompanied with the rise of Silla. On the one hand, Buddhism's development was supported by the political power; on the other hand, Buddhism was indispensable as the ideology for the rise of Silla. The thesis analyses Buddhism in four chapters: Buddhism's early propagation to Silla, Buddhism's adaptation in Silla, Buddhism culture in Silla and the influence of Buddhism in Silla.Chapter One tells the historical background and causes of Buddhism's early propagation to Silla, and focuses on Buddhism's inherence with native beliefs. In China, Buddhism had been converted into a feudal ideology successfully, so Buddhism was a useful tool to meet the need of aristocrats in Silla's process of feudalizing. In addition, Buddhism's early spread attributed to its coexistence with native beliefs and its sacrifice for avoiding calamity. Buddhism's propagation in Silla promoted Silla's development in other aspects besides politic.Chapter Two deals with Buddhism's adaptation in Silla. Buddhism got successive monarch support, such as Buddhism's early propagation in King Pophung period and Buddhism's great development in King Chinhung period. Besides that, Wonkwang 's proposal of " Five Commandments" and Chajang's proposal of "the Buddhist's laws in Silla" made Buddhist theories in Silla unique, and they were also important symbols of the completion of Buddhism's adaptation.Chapter Three analyses Buddhism culture in Silla in three aspects: Buddhism's legends, Buddhism's temples ,Buddhism's paintings and dances.Chapter Four focuses on Buddhism's historical significance and its influence. Buddhism made great contributions to the development of culture and ideology in Korean peninsula. Silla made full use of exchange opportunity with China by Buddhism diplomatic means to learn and...