Korea has one of the most diverse religious cultures in the world today; with a range and breadth of religious practice virtually unrivaled by any other country. This volume in the Princeton Readings in Religions series is the first anthology in any language; including Korean; to bring together a comprehensive set of original sources covering the whole gamut of religious practice in both premodern and contemporary Korea. The book's thirty-two chapters help redress the dearth of source materials on Korean religions in Western languages. Coverage includes shamanic rituals for the dead and songs to quiet fussy newborns; Buddhist meditative practices and exorcisms; Confucian geomancy and ancestor rites; contemporary Catholic liturgy; Protestant devotional practices; internal alchemy training in new Korean religions; and North Korean Juche ("self-reliance") ideology; an amalgam of Marxism and Neo-Confucian filial piety focused on worship of the "father;" Kim Il Sung. Religions of Korea in Practice provides substantial coverage of contemporary Korean religious practice; especially the various Christian denominations and new indigenous religions. Each chapter includes an extensive translation of original sources on Korean religious practice; accompanied by an introduction that frames the significance of the selections and offers suggestions for further reading. This book will help any reader gain a better appreciation of the rich complexity of Korea's religious culture.
#571630 in Books Princeton University Press 1996-05-13Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.21 x .63 x 6.14l; 1.13 #File Name: 0691027498288 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. BookBy pamBought as a gift.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Three StarsBy Surin Chonot bad2 of 3 people found the following review helpful. I loved this bookBy John D. LynchI loved this book! Stark is an excellent writer and conveys his message clearly and convincingly. His pitting of Christian culture versus the pagan culture displays Christian moral values superseding the brokenness and failure of the pagan religions. One thing I take away from this book and many of Stark's books is that Christianity has revolutionized the world in moral values; politics; economics; etc. It is so refreshing to read a book that celebrates Christianity and demonstrates the many ways it has revolutionized society.
