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4 EASTERN HORIZON | LEAD ARTICLE
From the Mountains to the
Cities: The Resurgence of
Buddhism in Korea
By Emi Hayakawa
Emi Hayakawa is the Head of Benny Liow interviewed Emi on Protestantism has 9.67 million
Global Operations at Buddhist the current status of Buddhism in followers, making it the most
Television Network (BTN) Korea, challenges from Christianity, followed religion of Korea, ahead of
headquartered in Seoul, Republic and its future prospect in the Buddhism. This was the first time
of Korea. She is also involved in country. since the launch of the national
BTN WORLD, a registered non- census in which Buddhism was
profit religious organization Benny: Buddhism was introduced not the majority religion. In 1995,
to Korea in 372 CE and for
which propagates Korean centuries it was the dominant there were 10.15 million Buddhists
Buddhist teachings globally. She religion, even until the 18th and in 2005, the number was 10.58
million. However, in the 2015
has contributed a chapter, ‘South century when Christianity census, the number of Buddhists
Korea: Compassionate Approach was introduced to the country. have dropped to 7.61 million.
to Journalism - Buddhist True But today, 30% of Koreans are This drop of some three million
Network’, in the book, Mindful Christians while only 21% are Buddhists was a severe blow to the
Communication for Sustainable Buddhists. Christian missionaries Korean Buddhist community.
Development: Perspectives a century ago predicted that
from Asia, edited by Kalinga Buddhism would disappear from However, a survey in 2018
Seneviratne (2018, New Delhi, Korea. Do you see that happening conducted by the Korean Council
India: Sage Publications India now or in the near future? of Christian Pastors with 5,000
Pvt Ltd). adults revealed that Buddhism
Emi: According to the “General had a much more positive image
Population and Housing Census than Protestantism. Furthermore,
2015,” released in 2016, according to another survey
