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FEATURE | EASTERN HORIZON 19

Catholicism arrived in Korea, the Joseon Government
exercised “Sungyooukbul,” literally the thriving of
Confucianism and suppression of Buddhism. Neo-
Confucianists who established the Joseon Dynasty
believed that one of the reasons for the fall of the
Goryeo Dynasty was because of the excessive growth
of Buddhist orders. They criticized the lax system of
Buddhism and excessive growth of the Buddhist sangha.
The Joseon Government exerted harsh pressure on
Buddhist orders and implemented policies to restrict
the number of Buddhist monks and temples. Moreover,
The grand tombs of five Catholic martyrs exalted where the Buddhist
with the strong Government suppression of ideologies dharma hall of Cheonjinam hermitage once stood.
outside of Neo-Confucianism, many Buddhist temples
were closed or forcibly relocated into the remote areas
of the country.

Catholicism was first introduced in the 17th century
during the turbulent religious environment and was
often referred to as Western Studies, “Seohak.”
Yi Su-gwang (1563-1628), an intellectual and diplomat,
compiled the earliest Korean encyclopedia, “Jibong

Yuseol” (芝峰類說) after visiting the Ming Dynasty in
China. Yi Su-gwang also included in his encyclopedic
collection of short essays a brief discussion of things The information board that explains the origin and history of
Western, including the text, The True Meaning of the Cheonjinam to the public only states that this is the birthplace of
Catholicism in Korea, that great Confucian scholars extensively studied
Lord of Heaven, or “Tianzhu shiyi” (天主實義), by Jesuit
Catholicism at this site.
missionary Matteo Ricci (1552–1610). However, it was
not until late 18th century that Catholicism, or “Seohak”
had a great impact in Joseon amongst young and Government. Furthermore, a group of scholars from the
progressive scholars. southeastern suburbs of current Seoul organized their
Kanghakhoe academic seminar group at Cheonjinam
To the Joseon Government and the orthodox Neo- Hermitage and Jueosa Temple, a Buddhist temple
Confucians, Catholic doctrines appeared to be rooted in Toechon-myeon Village in Gwangju, Gyeonggi-do
towards the individual rather than the community, and (Gyeonggi Province)
if Catholicism continued to spread, the Government
feared that the people would turn their backs on The Seed of Korean Catholicism is Sowed within the
their parents, their ancestors, their communities, Rich Soil of Korean Buddhism
their society, and their Government to seek personal
salvation which outright challenged the Joseon royalty. The monks of Cheonjinam Hermitage and Jueosa
Temple shared their place of practice for the
Despite the turbulent atmosphere, young Catholic Kanghakhoe academic seminar group to take place.
scholars continued to sow the seeds for Korean Despite the grave danger and great risk to their own
Catholicism. Joseon intellectuals and scholars debated lives and the temple itself, the monks opened their
Catholic doctrines and further propagated Catholicism hearts and embraced these devoted and faithful Seohak
in Buddhist temples and associated hermitages under intellectuals. Dasan Jeong Yakyong (1762-1836), one
a conference called the Kanghakhoe academic seminar of the great intellects of the late Joseon Dynasty, also
group. They gathered secretly, avoiding the eyes of the attended the Kanghakhoe academic seminar group