Silla and the Silk Road

Silla and the Silk Road: readings from the Korea Society website.

Modern Korea is a mix of many influences.  Many of the ideas that contributed to modern Korea arrived via the trade route known as the “Silk Road.”  Silk, writing characters, architecture, Buddhism, and Confucian ideology all arrived on the peninsula which anchored the eastern end of a trade route that covered the entirety of Asia, and parts of Africa and Europe.  Korea eagerly adopted the new ideas, creating a vibrant and rich culture of their own.  In turn, Korea passed these innovations along to the island nation of Japan.

In 668 CE the Silla Kingdom, one of 3 on the peninsula, united Korea and ushered in what has come to be called the Golden Age of Korea.  This kingdom maintained ties with both China and Japan.  By doing so the kingdom accrued many benefits from the Silk Road trade.  These advances can be divided into two categories – religious and social ideas, and trade goods and technology.

By far the most important influence from Asia was Buddhism.  Brought to Korea in 372 CE by the Chinese, this religion is still a major force in Korean society.  In early times Koreans, like many other groups, practiced shamanism.  Local practices blended easily with the new religion, and many temples and shrines were built on hilltops, home of the shamanistic Mountain gods.  Buddhism remained the dominant influence until the rise of the Joseon dynasty in the 1300s.  It was repressed until the late 16th century, when Buddhist monks helped repel a Japanese invasion.

Blending of local customs and a new religion – the Last Supper with a Peruvian specialty –viscacha, 
Cuzco Cathedral, Peru

When Buddhism arrived in Korea, the society practiced a social order known as Bone-rank.  This ranking was predetermined by birth, and had rigid rules regarding social interactions.  With its belief that all people had an equal chance to reach Nirvana, Buddhism changed all of that.  Women’s rights expanded, and several important rulers during this time were women.  The rigid social system was also challenged by Buddhist teachings.

Confucian teachings were also known in Korea, and competed with Buddhism for the loyalty of scholars.  However, it remained in the shadow of Buddhism for many years.  Buddhist monasteries gained land and riches, and enjoyed many privileges.  By the 10^th century there were civil service exams for government positions, but monks competed with Confucian scholars during the examinations.  

By the end of the Goryeo dynasty in 1392 the lower classes were pushing for land reform, and the Buddhist monasteries lost power to the Neo-Confucianists.  This group blended Confucian teachings with Taoism and Buddhism.  They emphasized ethics and the moral authority of the government.  The new rulers implemented land reform and redistribution of wealth, and criticized the excesses of the Buddhist clergy.  They also restricted the rights of women.  Buddhists lost power, and remained inconsequential for many years.

Trade goods and technology also traveled the Silk Road to Korea.  Of course, one of the first things they acquired was silk, and silkworms.  Silk was used as a sacrifice for the gods, as gifts for royalty, and as payment for services.  High-ranking Korean ladies introduced silkworm production to Japan in the 300s CE.  Iron-working techniques, court titles, and field measurement systems all entered Korea and then traveled to Japan.  The Chinese writing characters were adopted by the Koreans (Hanja), and used until the Joseon dynasty when they were replaced by Hangul.  Other technologies that were introduced into Korea included canal- and pond-digging techniques, law codes, and types of stoneware.

The Korean word Hanja (Chinese script) in Hanja (red) and Hangeul (blue).

 Cultural diffusion and trade both helped and hurt Korea.  New technologies and trade allowed easier lives, especially for the upper classes.  But the increasing concentration of wealth among the rulers left the peasants hungry and upset.  The Confucian ideals that eventually overtook Buddhism lowered the status of women, and they were at the mercy of their parents and husbands.  However, Korea did prosper, and the inflow of new ideas gave life to amazing art and architecture.