The 1^st Colloquium in 2011 Held by the Asiatic Research Institute, Korea University

Speaker: Seong-taek Cho (Professor of Philosophy at Korea University)

Topic: Competing Two Buddhas: Dynamics of Cultural Assimilation

Date and Time: Mon., 7^th Mar. 2011, 16:00~18:00

Venue: Main Conference Room, ARI

Professor Seong-taek Cho explained how different cultures were assimilated in the Buddhist tradition through case study comparisons between Maitreya and Amitabha. Before starting his lecture, Professor Cho asked for clear understanding of the concept of the term “dynamics” in the title of his original thesis written in English. He explained that the word “dynamics” should not be translated as “yeokdongseong” (dynamics) in Korean but should be expressed as “dynamics research on culture,” which is about how cultures are exchanged and what effects are brought about by this exchange.

The Buddhist culture that started in India was accepted and established in different ways as it entered Korea and China. Professor Cho explained that, in this process, the Buddhist culture was accepted selectively, or in a unique way (according to the characteristics of the indigenous culture), by giving examples of differences in the way each nation perceives Maitreya and Amitabha. For this reason, he cast doubt on whether the East Asian cultural area, including Korea and China, should be regarded as a single cultural area and raised the issue that Chinese elements are exaggerated in Korean culture.