한국의 무속과 민간불교의 혼합현상

Abstract

In the study of Korea Buddhism, its syncretic nature is an unique characteristic that has been largely ignored. Yet it is a significant aspect in understanding the nature of Buddhism in Korea. Starting from the time Buddhism set its foot on the Korean peninsula 1700 years ago it could not help but adopt Korean Musok or shamanistic elements in order to become "Koreanized" and become adapted to a foreign land. Buddhism among foreign religions and world views such as Christianity and Confucianism, is most highly syncretised with Musok, the authochtonous religion of Korea. This article argues that Christianity's relatively short history of 200 years and its attitude of exclusivity to one truth has not allowed it to be more syncretised with Musok. Confucianism on the other hand had a longer history than Buddhism on the peninsula but its emphasis on orthodoxy has rejected Musok as heresy. Lastly. Buddhism not only has a long history but its teachings do not highly emphasis orthodoxy allowing it to be open to various traditions of belief. It is this nature that has allowed it to easily adopt elements of authochtonous religions and oppositely be itself be easily accepted into the foreign country. That is the rason why Buddhism has spread so successfully in Asia; in Korea, Buddhism has become syncretised with Musok, in Japen with Shintoism, and in China with Taoism.