Baekje Buddhism

Welcome to Jeongnimsaji Museum where you can learn all about Buddhism in the Kingdom of Baekje. From now on, we will learn about the introduction of Buddhism to Baekje and the splendid Buddhist culture that developed there.

Buddhism was first introduced into Baekje during the late 4th century when the Indian monk named Marananta traveled to Baekje from China. At that time, indigenous Shamanist beliefs were predominant, but as the kingdom developed socially, there was a need for a strong, political ideal to unite the population and center power on the king. Eventually, the king of Baekje decided to adopt Buddhism as the national faith. During the corresponding period in the West, Christianity was adopted as a transnational religion.

Buddhism in Baekje then developed further with the support of the government and many large temples were established. Buddhist statues with benevolent smiles were produced and huge budgets were reserved for Buddhist assemblies at which prayers would be offered for the peace and prosperity of the Baekje royal family. In Chinese historical records, Baekje was described as a kingdom with many temples and pagodas.

During the early part of the 6th century, Baekje sent Buddhist monks to study abroad in India. Upon their return, the scholars drafted Buddhist scriptures. Traveling to India must have been an astonishing experience, especially considering the means of transportation available at the time.

As Buddhism was gradually adopted as the national religion by the people, it came to exercise an ever greater influence on both the art and diplomatic relations of the kingdom. In the 6th century, Baekje dispatched many Buddhist monks armed with Buddhist scriptures to Japan to disperse the religion.