Korean Religious Texts in Iconic and Performative Rituals

Yohan Yoo

ISBN 10: 1800504977 / ISBN 13: 9781800504974

Published by Equinox Publishing Ltd, GB, 2024

About this Item

This book investigates how scriptures are accepted and appropriated by religious people in Korea and demonstrates how sacred status of scriptures are attained and their power is exercised. Examples of Korean religions, including Protestantism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Shamanism turned out to be very useful to show how the performative dimension of scriptures is usually inseparably related to their iconic status and how scriptures are ritualized and performed. Plural religions coexist in Korea, showing a peculiar state of balance. Though Christianity is the biggest religion in South Korea, which takes up 27.7% of the population, Buddhism that occupies 15.5% of the population exercises no less influence than Christianity by taking the position of the only major jeontongjonggyo (traditional religion) of Korea. Confucianism, which not only was the official ideology of elite scholars but also provided a predominant worldview and ways of life for most Koreans during Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), remains influential in the form of ancestral rites or the custom giving precedence to the elder. Many contemporary Koreans still rely on shamanic rituals and divination, which have prevailed among the common people for thousand years. Examples from these religions in Korea can amply demonstrate that the iconic and performative dimensions of scriptures are generally witnessed in any religion that recognize scriptures. These religions will also show that how the three dimensions of scriptures influence each other and function complementarily in the lives of religious people. The book offers vivid examples that show the contents of scriptures, the published physical books, sounds reading them aloud, letters in them, and images from them are ritualized to exert sacred power.

Seller Inventory # LU-9781800504974

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Korean Religious Texts in Iconic and Performative Rituals
• Publisher: Equinox Publishing Ltd, GB
• Publication Date: 2024
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1800504977
• ISBN 13: 9781800504974
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: New
• Weight: 263 grams

About this title

Synopsis

This book examines the ways in which scriptures are accepted and appropriated by religious people in Korea. It explores how sacred texts in various religions, including Protestantism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Shamanism, attain their sacred status and power. It also delves into how the performative aspect of scriptures is often intrinsically linked to their iconic status. The book highlights the close relationship between the performative use and the iconic nature of these scriptures, showing how they are ritualized and performed in religious practices. In Korea, a distinct mix of religions coexists, each contributing to the country's religious diversity. Christianity, as the largest religion, represents a significant portion of the population, yet Buddhism, as Korea's major traditional religion, holds a comparable influence. Confucianism, with its deep historical roots and impact on Korean customs and values, continues to shape the society, particularly through ancestral rites and customs that prioritize elders. Many contemporary Koreans still resort to shamanic rituals and divinations, which have prevailed among the common people for thousands of years. Examples from these religions in Korea vividly illustrate that the iconic and performative dimensions of scriptures are generally witnessed in religions that recognize sacred texts. The interplay and complementary functions of these dimensions in the lives of the religious are also examined. The book presents compelling examples showing how the content, physical form, recitations, written characters, and imagery of scriptures are ritualized to exert sacred power

About the Author

Yohan Yoo is a Professor of Comparative Religion at Seoul National University. His previous publications include three books in Korean: Myths of Our Era (2012), Understanding Religious Studies (2020), and Understanding Religious Symbolism (2021). He has also co-authored Cosmologies of Pure Realms and the Rhetoric of Pollution (Routledge, 2021) and co-edited Books as Bodies and as Sacred Beings (Equinox, 2021) with James W. Watts.