Taejonggyo
Encyclopedia
Daejonggyo is a religion of Korea
founded in Seoul
in 1909 by Na Cheol (나철). The god of the religion is the legendary king Tan-gun or Dangun
, who ruled over a Korean empire around 5000 years ago; it is the best known of around 17 new religious movement
s that worship Tan-gun. Its main tenet is that because the Koreans have their own God they have no need to worship foreign gods. Its emphasis is on the national identity and unity of the Korean people
(known as minjok) and as such has been associated with Korean nationalism
(and sometimes ultranationalism). Its relatively unorganized nature, focusing not so much on institutions or rituals but more so on central doctrines and associated mythologies, makes Daejonggyo resemble a creed or a faith system rather than an organized religion. A 1995 census found that fewer than 10,000 Koreans claim to follow the religion.
Na Cheol (1863–1916), known for his role as a leader of the Korean independence movement
from Japanese rule, founded the religion in 1909 as its "Great Teacher" (tosagyo) and named it first Tan'gun'gyo (Tan'gun religion) and then a year later Daejonggyo. He said that it was a revival of a belief in a Trinitarian god during the Koryŏ
dynasty: the creator (Hanim/Hwanin
), the teacher (Hanung/Hwanung
) and the ruler (Tan'gun/Hanbaegŏm/Hanŏllim). This theology appears to be influenced by Christianity, but the ethical basis of the religion is mainly similar to Confucianism
. The importance of Tan-gun was influenced by Shin Chaeho's A New Reading of History, and Tan-gun was emphasised over another legendary figure, Jizi
(Kija), who was said to not be Korean in origin. Na claimed that the religion was approximately 4300 years of age, which would make it Korea's oldest religion. He said that until the early 1900s it was called Koshindo.
After the annexation of Korea in 1910 by the Empire of Japan
, the new religion was spread in Manchuria
by Na, where it set up schools and social centers, and became a focus of the Korean independence movement
. Na committed suicide at a shrine on Mount Kuwŏl in 1916, saying that he had guilt over his failures and was martyring himself for the sake of his religion, God and people. Leaders of the religion after Na include his successor Kim Kyohong, and An Ho-Sang. The teachings of Dangun were said by Kim in his "History of the Divine Tan'gun's People" to be the sin-gyo or "divine teachings", and he said that various Korean religions, such as that of Wang Kon, were continuations of the sin-gyo, but that these beliefs had been suppressed under the Mongols
, Buddhism
, and Confucianism
. The main task of the religion was chunggwang ("lighting anew"), meaning reviving the memory of Tan-gun.
Religion in Korea
Religion in Korea encompasses a number of different traditions. Traditional Buddhism, Mugyo with a background of Korean Confucianism and later Christianity all play a role in Korea's religious tradition...
founded in Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
in 1909 by Na Cheol (나철). The god of the religion is the legendary king Tan-gun or Dangun
Dangun
Dangun Wanggeom was the legendary founder of Gojoseon, the first Korean kingdom, around present-day Liaoning, Manchuria, and the Korean Peninsula. He is said to be the "grandson of heaven", and to have founded the kingdom in 2333 BC...
, who ruled over a Korean empire around 5000 years ago; it is the best known of around 17 new religious movement
New religious movement
A new religious movement is a religious community or ethical, spiritual, or philosophical group of modern origin, which has a peripheral place within the dominant religious culture. NRMs may be novel in origin or they may be part of a wider religion, such as Christianity, Hinduism or Buddhism, in...
s that worship Tan-gun. Its main tenet is that because the Koreans have their own God they have no need to worship foreign gods. Its emphasis is on the national identity and unity of the Korean people
Korean people
The Korean people are an ethnic group originating in the Korean peninsula and Manchuria. Koreans are one of the most ethnically and linguistically homogeneous groups in the world.-Names:...
(known as minjok) and as such has been associated with Korean nationalism
Korean nationalism
Korean nationalism refers to nationalism among the Korean people. In the Korean context, this encompasses various of movements throughout history to maintain the Korean cultural identity, history, and ethnicity.-History:...
(and sometimes ultranationalism). Its relatively unorganized nature, focusing not so much on institutions or rituals but more so on central doctrines and associated mythologies, makes Daejonggyo resemble a creed or a faith system rather than an organized religion. A 1995 census found that fewer than 10,000 Koreans claim to follow the religion.
Na Cheol (1863–1916), known for his role as a leader of the Korean independence movement
Korean independence movement
The Korean independence movement grew out of the Japanese colonial rule of the Korean peninsula from 1910 to 1945. After the Japanese surrendered, Korea became independent; that day is now an annual holiday called Gwangbokjeol in South Korea, and Chogukhaebangŭi nal in North Korea.-Background:In...
from Japanese rule, founded the religion in 1909 as its "Great Teacher" (tosagyo) and named it first Tan'gun'gyo (Tan'gun religion) and then a year later Daejonggyo. He said that it was a revival of a belief in a Trinitarian god during the Koryŏ
Koryo
Koryo may refer to:*The Goryeo Dynasty of Korea. It is spelt Koryŏ in McCune-Reischauer Romanization.*Koryo, a pumsae in Taekwondo.*Kōryō, Nara, a town in Japan.*Air Koryo, a North Korean airline company....
dynasty: the creator (Hanim/Hwanin
Hwanin
Hwanin, or "Divine Regent" is a figure in Korean mythology. In the traditional Dangun mythology he is portrayed as the Emperor of Heaven himself, with his son Hwanung 환웅 and his grandson Dangun being the mythical founder of Korea...
), the teacher (Hanung/Hwanung
Hwanung
Hwanung is an important figure in the mythological origins of Korea. He plays a central role in the story of Dangun Wanggeom , the legendary founder of Gojoseon, the first kingdom of Korea. Hwanung is the son of Hwanin , the "Lord of Heaven"...
) and the ruler (Tan'gun/Hanbaegŏm/Hanŏllim). This theology appears to be influenced by Christianity, but the ethical basis of the religion is mainly similar to Confucianism
Confucianism
Confucianism is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius . Confucianism originated as an "ethical-sociopolitical teaching" during the Spring and Autumn Period, but later developed metaphysical and cosmological elements in the Han...
. The importance of Tan-gun was influenced by Shin Chaeho's A New Reading of History, and Tan-gun was emphasised over another legendary figure, Jizi
Jizi
Jizi was a semi-legendary Chinese sage who is said to have ruled Gojoseon in the 11th century BCE. Early Chinese documents like the Book of Documents and the Bamboo Annals described him as a virtuous relative of the last king of the Shang dynasty who was punished for remonstrating the king...
(Kija), who was said to not be Korean in origin. Na claimed that the religion was approximately 4300 years of age, which would make it Korea's oldest religion. He said that until the early 1900s it was called Koshindo.
After the annexation of Korea in 1910 by the Empire of Japan
Empire of Japan
The Empire of Japan is the name of the state of Japan that existed from the Meiji Restoration on 3 January 1868 to the enactment of the post-World War II Constitution of...
, the new religion was spread in Manchuria
Manchuria
Manchuria is a historical name given to a large geographic region in northeast Asia. Depending on the definition of its extent, Manchuria usually falls entirely within the People's Republic of China, or is sometimes divided between China and Russia. The region is commonly referred to as Northeast...
by Na, where it set up schools and social centers, and became a focus of the Korean independence movement
Korean independence movement
The Korean independence movement grew out of the Japanese colonial rule of the Korean peninsula from 1910 to 1945. After the Japanese surrendered, Korea became independent; that day is now an annual holiday called Gwangbokjeol in South Korea, and Chogukhaebangŭi nal in North Korea.-Background:In...
. Na committed suicide at a shrine on Mount Kuwŏl in 1916, saying that he had guilt over his failures and was martyring himself for the sake of his religion, God and people. Leaders of the religion after Na include his successor Kim Kyohong, and An Ho-Sang. The teachings of Dangun were said by Kim in his "History of the Divine Tan'gun's People" to be the sin-gyo or "divine teachings", and he said that various Korean religions, such as that of Wang Kon, were continuations of the sin-gyo, but that these beliefs had been suppressed under the Mongols
Mongols
Mongols ) are a Central-East Asian ethnic group that lives mainly in the countries of Mongolia, China, and Russia. In China, ethnic Mongols can be found mainly in the central north region of China such as Inner Mongolia...
, Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
, and Confucianism
Confucianism
Confucianism is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius . Confucianism originated as an "ethical-sociopolitical teaching" during the Spring and Autumn Period, but later developed metaphysical and cosmological elements in the Han...
. The main task of the religion was chunggwang ("lighting anew"), meaning reviving the memory of Tan-gun.