The Basis for Coexistence Found from within

The Mystic Universality and Ethicality of Donghak (東學, Eastern Learning)

Bibliographic Data

ID3255342
AuthorsHaeyoung Seong (0000-0002-1002-7990, Seoul National University, corresponding author)
Year2020
Volume11
Issue5
Pages265
Publication date2020-05-23
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueReligions (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2077-1444 • E-ISSN: 2077-1444
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/rel11050265
OpenAlexW3026245679
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited4

The rush of Western civilization, headed by Christianity, caused a considerable identity crisis in the 19th century Joseon dynasty. The founder of Donghak 東學, Suun Choe Je-u 水雲 崔濟愚, sought a way out of the crisis through religion. Suun contended that the religions of both east and west are grounded in the same Way of Heaven, and that it can be ascertained through an experience of mystical union induced by chanting a 21-character incantation. He also emphasized the importance of practicing this Way of Heaven in real life. According to him, the Western invasion is an act of selfishness, and goes against the Heavenly Way. The Heavenly Way is considered a foundation that enables communication and coexistence in a religiously diverse society. Despite the fact that his belief in the universality of the Heavenly Way is based on a personal experience-which is problematic to all mysticisms-Donghak provided a powerful discourse to deal with a variety of challenges of his time. In this age of religious pluralism, Suun's universalism is significant in exploring the intellectual and spiritual foundation of the modern pluralistic thoughts of Korea

Christianity · Civilization · Environmental ethics · Heaven · Mysticism · Political science · Selfishness · Sociology · Theology · Universalism · Chinese history and philosophy · Diverse Topics in Contemporary Research · Law · Philosophy · Religious studies · Religious Studies and Spiritual Practices

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