Know about the culture of South Korea in all its different aspects and this means knowing about the influences that have shaped the mindset and the thought processes of the people in South Korea. Understanding the religion in South Korea will help you better understand the dreams and hopes of the Korean people, their feelings and emotions and also the values and beliefs that they hold dear to their hearts. Religion in South Korea is also about appreciating the tolerant nature of one of the most ancient people on earth.
About Religion in South Korea
Buddhism is the most prevalent religion in South Korea. About 27.3% of the entire population in South Korea adhere to Buddhism in South Korea, while Christianity in South Korea accounts for about 25.3% of the populace. To elaborate, 16% of the population follow Protestantism and 5% are Roman Catholics.
Korean shamanism is the original religion in South Korea. It is however interesting to note that religion in South Korea and in particular, the dominant religious faiths of Buddhism and Christianity have imbibed much from Confucianism as practiced in South Korea. Korean Confucianism had been the state religion of the Joseon Dynasty which ruled for 500 long years. More than being a religion in South Korea, Confucianism and its inherent values have actually become a way of life for the South Korean people.
However, South Korea religion is not only about these major faiths. There are various other religious beliefs in South Korea, with interesting lineages and practices. For instance, you have Cheondogyo, a minor religion in South Korea which incorporates strains from Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity and Confucianism. This is the so-called "new religion" in South Korea.
Some of the other comparatively new religious beliefs in South Korea are Taejonggyo, with its emphasis on magical rituals and the worship of Tangun, who is the creator of the Korean nation, Won Buddhism which is a blend of the beliefs of conventional Buddhism and ideals of social reform and the Christinaity-influenced Chondogwan.
There is also Wonbulgyo and Islam, followed by a small portion of the populace.
Unknown to many, there also exists a tiny pocket of the Korean population, mainly the Indian community, which practices orthodox Hinduism. But like in other parts of the world, Hindu practices like yoga and Vedic principles have permeated the social strata in South Korea as means to attain a better standard of life. Judaism is also a religion in South Korea, the roots of which can be traced back to the Jewish soldiers who took part in the Korean War of 1950.
There is no one thing called Korean religion. In fact, there are also sections of the population, 46% to be exact who adhere to no specific religion in South Korea. But the presence of the many religious beliefs in South Korea point out to a tolerant society.