The Power of the Buddhas: The Politics of Buddhism during the Koryo Dynasty (918 - 1392) (Harvard East Asian Monographs)
By Sem Vermeersch.
Description
Buddhism in medieval Korea is characterized as “State Protection Buddhism,” a religion whose primary purpose was to rally support (supernatural and popular) for and legitimate the state. In this view, the state used Buddhism to engender compliance with its goals. A closer look, however, reveals that Buddhism was a canvas on which people projected many religious and secular concerns and desires. This study is an attempt to specify Buddhism’s place in Koryo and to ascertain to what extent and in what areas Buddhism functioned as a state religion. Was state support the main r...
ISBN(s)
9780674031883
