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Monash Korean Studies Seminar Series - Seminar #4: The Anti-Buddhist Movement in Chosŏn (1392–1910) Korea: Historical and Legislative Foundations

Talk from Prof. Gregory Evon (UNSW)

Date & Time: Friday 6th September, 2-3pm (AEST)

Venue: Room G03, Learning & Teaching Building (LTB), Clayton VIC 3168

Register here: https://forms.gle/BT4qftNXKWDLrdBZ8

Abstract: 

The founding of the Chosŏn dynasty marked a radical shift for the Buddhist institution in Korean history. From the sixth through the fourteenth centuries, the commonplace view was that Buddhism and the state supported each other. This idea was central to the successful transmission of Buddhism to the competing states on the Korean peninsula, and it played a crucial role in the kingdom of Silla’s eventual ascendancy and consolidation of rule during Unified Silla (668-935). In the final stages of the Koryŏ (918-1392) dynasty, however, this idea came under attack. This talk begins with a sketch of the historical background to the anti-Buddhist legislation of the Chosŏn dynasty, paying special attention to the connection Buddhism’s critics drew between Buddhist influence and dynastic collapse. It then examines how tensions in the anti-Buddhist program were reflected at the court of Yŏnsan’gun (r. 1494-1506). A renowned despot, Yŏnsan’gun nonetheless had a good understanding of the anti-Buddhist policies enacted at court under his father, something he used to taunt his officials. The talk concludes with an overview of the legislative ambiguity surrounding Buddhism over the following centuries.

Bio: 

Gregory Evon is Senior Lecturer in the School of Humanities and Languages at UNSW Sydney. His research focuses on premodern Korean religion and literature. He is the co-editor of Premodern Korean Literary Prose (Columbia University Press, 2018) and author of Salvaging Buddhism to Save Confucianism in Chosŏn Korea (1392-1910) (Cambria Press, 2023), in addition to numerous articles and book chapters.

Contact person: Sandy Nguyen (Sandy.nguyen1@monash.edu)