Donghak () was an academic movement in Korean
Neo-Confucianism founded in 1860 by
Choe Je-u. The Donghak movement arose as a reaction to
seohak (), and called for a return to the "Way of Heaven".
While Donghak originated as a reform movement and revival of Confucian teachings, it gradually evolved into a religion known today as
Cheondoism in Korea under the third patriarch Son Byong-hi.
History
Joseon
Joseon ( ; ; also romanized as ''Chosun''), officially Great Joseon (), was a dynastic kingdom of Korea that existed for 505 years. It was founded by Taejo of Joseon in July 1392 and replaced by the Korean Empire in October 1897. The kingdom w ...
, which patronized
Neo-Confucianism as the state ideology, saw an increasing polarization between orthodox Confucian scholars and efforts by other Confucian scholars to revive social ethics and reform society. The increasing presence and pressure from the West created a greater sense of urgency among reformers, and thus
Choe Je-u first penned his treatise, ''Comprehensive Book of Eastern Learning'', or ''Dongkyeong Daejeon'' (). This treatise marked the first use of the term "Eastern Learning" and called for a rejection of
God
In monotheistic belief systems, God is usually viewed as the supreme being, creator, and principal object of faith. In polytheistic belief systems, a god is "a spirit or being believed to have created, or for controlling some part of the un ...
(in the Christian sense), and other aspects of Christian theology.
Choe was alarmed by the intrusion of Christianity (, ''Cheonjugyo''; Catholicism), and the
Anglo-French occupation of
Beijing
Beijing, Chinese postal romanization, previously romanized as Peking, is the capital city of China. With more than 22 million residents, it is the world's List of national capitals by population, most populous national capital city as well as ...
. He believed that the best way to counter foreign influence in Korea was to introduce
democracy
Democracy (from , ''dēmos'' 'people' and ''kratos'' 'rule') is a form of government in which political power is vested in the people or the population of a state. Under a minimalist definition of democracy, rulers are elected through competitiv ...
, establish
human rights
Human rights are universally recognized Morality, moral principles or Social norm, norms that establish standards of human behavior and are often protected by both Municipal law, national and international laws. These rights are considered ...
and create a paradise on Earth independent of foreign interference.
He started a peasant rebellion by converting them to Donghak and, along with other anti-government civic activists, took over parts of southern Korea from 1862 to 1864 until Choe was executed.
The movement was continued by
Choe Si-hyeong (1829–1898), who systematized its doctrine. He too was executed.
In 1898, following the execution of Choe Si-hyeong, the leader of Donghak,
Son Byong-hi, sought
political asylum in nearby
Japan
Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...
. After the
Russo-Japanese War in 1904, he returned to Korea and established the Chinbohoe ("progressive society"), a new cultural and reformist movement designed to reverse the declining fortunes of the nation and to create a new society. Through Donghak he conducted a nationwide movement that aimed at social improvement through the renovation of old customs and ways of life. Hundreds of thousands of members of Donghak cut their long hair short and initiated the wearing of simple, modest clothing.
Non-violent demonstrations for social improvement organized by members of Donghak took place throughout 1904.
Under the third patriarch of the Donghak movement, Son Byeong-hui, the movement became a religion called ''Cheondogyo'', or
Cheondoism, which is followed today in both North and South Korea.
Choe Je-u
Choe Je-u's treatise argued a return to the Confucian understanding of
Heaven
Heaven, or the Heavens, is a common Religious cosmology, religious cosmological or supernatural place where beings such as deity, deities, angels, souls, saints, or Veneration of the dead, venerated ancestors are said to originate, be throne, ...
, with emphasis on self-cultivation and improving one's nature. As Choe wrote, the Way of Heaven was within one's own mind, and so by improving one's nature, one also attained the Way of Heaven.
Donghak was not accompanied by a specific agenda or systematic doctrine. Choe believed in improvising as events occurred. He had no practical plans or visions of how one would go about establishing a paradise on Earth, let alone what paradise meant except that all people were equal. Nevertheless, Choe's advocacy of
democracy
Democracy (from , ''dēmos'' 'people' and ''kratos'' 'rule') is a form of government in which political power is vested in the people or the population of a state. Under a minimalist definition of democracy, rulers are elected through competitiv ...
,
human rights
Human rights are universally recognized Morality, moral principles or Social norm, norms that establish standards of human behavior and are often protected by both Municipal law, national and international laws. These rights are considered ...
and
Korean nationalism struck a chord among the peasant guerrillas and Donghak spread across Korea rapidly. Progressive revolutionaries waded in and organized the peasants into a cohesive fighting unit.
See also
*
Cheondoism
*
Yongdamjeong
*
Donghak Peasant Revolution
*
Gapsin Coup
*
Jang Il-soon, who built a monument to Dong Hak's second leader, Choi Shi-hyung
*
Liberalism in South Korea
*
New religious movements
*
Righteous Army
References
{{Authority control
Religion in Korea
Donghak Peasant Revolution
Cheondoism
Religion in Korea under Japanese rule