Korea encountered Buddhism even earlier than Japan did. But unlike Japan, Korea resonated more strongly with the Confucian worldview of moral governance and social order.¹

In 372 AD, Buddhist statues and scriptures were brought from China and presented to the king of Goguryeo. However, Buddhism soon faded from view and remained dormant for 160 years. During the Three Kingdoms period², Baekje was the weakest of the three states, but to defend itself against stronger neighbors, it fostered friendly ties with Japan and actively spread Buddhism there.

After Silla joined forces with the Tang dynasty to unify the Korean Peninsula, Buddhist artifacts flowed into Korea in waves. During the Goryeo period, every king was a devout Buddhist. At one point, a royal offering fed up to 50,000 monks in a single event. The government established a Buddhist civil service exam and appointed high-ranking monks as national teachers. When war and turmoil in China caused the loss of key Tiantai scriptures, it was Korea that preserved and restored them. Still, for many people, Buddhism remained largely a tool for seeking blessings.

In the Joseon period, the ruling Yi dynasty upheld Confucianism and suppressed Buddhism. When officials proposed praying for rain during a severe drought, King Taejong flatly rejected the idea: “Do not speak of Buddhism again!” Later, King Sejong merged the country’s five Buddhist schools into two and reduced the number of temples from over a hundred to just 36, expelling them from the capital. King Hyeonjong went further, banning ordination and forcing monks and nuns to return to lay life.

After World War II, Korean Buddhism went into decline. Today, the country is home to both the traditional Zen-oriented Jogye Order and Won Buddhism, a modern movement founded in 1916. Won Buddhism, unlike traditional orders, does not build temples in secluded mountains but focuses on urban ministry. It runs schools and hospitals and aims to meet both the spiritual and practical needs of its followers. A 2023 poll conducted by the Korea Research Institute found that 17% of the population in South Korea identifies as Buddhist.

1 Confucian scholars in Korea remained deeply loyal to the Ming dynasty. Even after its fall, they continued using the reign title of the last Ming emperor, Chongzhen, to mark the years, and rejected the Qing dynasty’s hairstyles and clothing.

2 Circa 467–660 AD, when Goguryeo, Silla, and Baekje coexisted in a tripartite balance of power.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, Buddhists in Korea continue to hold fast to their faith in a society where Christianity is dominant. Only You know the reasons why they have not yet turned to You. May Your cords of lovingkindness gently draw them in, helping them overcome the obstacles and challenges they face. Give them hearts that are soft, humble, and curious toward the gospel. We also pray that Korean Christians would be filled with love for Buddhists—willing to know and embrace them. May they always be ready to respond to conversations about faith with gentleness and wisdom, bearing witness to the truth. Create opportunities for them to share the good news with love and respect. Let Buddhists feel Your unconditional love and acceptance when they interact with Christians. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.