Korea has been in the unenviable position of being a small country in the middle, a gateway to other countries or the Yellow Sea; or a way to control the trade of surrounding small countries and islands around the Pacific Ocean. It is very interesting to learn that Japan (in 1910) annexed Korea to the point that they tried to assimilate the Korean culture into their own, hoping to cause the unique Korean culture to disappear.
Thanks to the author for the explanation of Korean Buddhism, Confucianism and ancestor worship. The author makes a point of explaining that ancestor worship is not seen as a contradiction to other faiths, even Christianity. The way ancestor worship is explained shows that the current generation recognizes the contributions of their forefathers and foremothers, rather than actually worship them.
I particularly appreciated the careful explanation of the woes of the country since WWII. One can hope that the country will once again be unified but with a communist North and a capitalistic South, it doesn't look very likely.
Thanks to the author for the explanation of Korean Buddhism, Confucianism and ancestor worship. The author makes a point of explaining that ancestor worship is not seen as a contradiction to other faiths, even Christianity. The way ancestor worship is explained shows that the current generation recognizes the contributions of their forefathers and foremothers, rather than actually worship them.
I particularly appreciated the careful explanation of the woes of the country since WWII. One can hope that the country will once again be unified but with a communist North and a capitalistic South, it doesn't look very likely.
