Confucian Culture in Contemporary Korean Context
By James T. Bretzke, S.J. University of San Francisco
Korean TaeGukGi (Flag) Religious Aspects of Korean
Culture Shamanism (ancient to today) Buddhism (c. 9th century onwards)
Confucianism (13th century onwards) Christianity (18th century onwards) New Religions (e.g., Chon-do-kyo)
National Success as Religious Pride Four Pillars (Sa-Chu) Caf:
If you know the Four Pillars you can see the future
Philosophy House Buddhist Bell: Ring Out Truth
This is NOT a Buddhist Monk!
Mandate of Heaven Tien Ming The Proper Tao or Way
Cultivation of Moral Knowledge & Virtue (Personal/Public)
Prince/Superior Person Or Paradigmatic Individual
Chun-tzu (Chinese) or Gun-Cha (Korean)
Reform of Society Beginning with Moral Cultivation of the Individual
Rectification Of Names
2 Core Confucian Virtues Benevolence
Proper Ritual Etiquette
Careful State Ritual 1st Relation: Justice & Loyalty
Scholar as Public Servant
Ministers as Meritocracy Chung (Loyalty) Chong (Justice) Sa (Temple)
Keeping the Law; Real Service
2nd Relation: Filial Piety Respect of Elders & Teachers
New Years Ritual Bow Called the Sae-bae
3rd Relation: Reciprocity & Distinction of Duties and Roles
Campus Barbers Serve Sincerely 4th Relation: Propriety
Keep Propriety Citizenry
New Propriety, New Life, New Korea 5th Relation: Faithfulness
Chingu: Old Friends
Respect for The Ancestors Ancestor Ritual Celebration
Family Chae-Sa or Ancestor Rite
Chusok: Korean Thanksgiving Buddhist Altar
Moral Slogans as Public Virtue
Right Sacrifice, Right Driving, At Every Intersection Smiles Bloom Now We Have to Recycle
Lets Protect Nature!
Moral Exhortation Lets Live Correctly
Virtue Has Its Own Rewards
Calligraphy for Meditation Universities as Guardians of Public Virtue and Justice
Obey Truth: Motto of Sogang Jesuit University in Seoul
In the 21st Century Too: Forward Thinking Sogang U. 100 Day Prayer Cycle for Successful University Admission
Entrance Exam 100 Day Prayers
Student Protest for Justice
Democracy Wall At Sogang Lets Overthrow the Dictator Kim Dae Jung!
Oppose the American Military
Suicide as Political Protest A Divided Korea
Work For Korean Reunification
Reunification Blooms Dae-Han Min-Guk Man-Sae!
Let Korea Prosper For Ten Thousand Years!
