-Buddhist Influences in Korea-

Buddhism is recorded as being introduced to Korea in 372AD. However, the first datable sculptures are from the sixth century, 200 years after its introduction to the peninsula. Koguryo was the first to be influenced due to the kingdom's close proximity to China. There are a few temples to suggest the presence of Buddhism, but the faith did not seem to be too strong in Koguryo. Paekche and Silla, on the other hand, posted strong followings of Buddhism. Paekche adopted Buddhism as the national religion. Buddhism was introduced to Silla in the fifth century and immediately became the religion of royalty.

The Figures of Buddhist Temples

Buddhist sculpture went through a transformation of styles and influences as it passed on to the Three Kingdoms. There is a scarcity of Koguryo. Buddhist sculpture except for a few clay images. Buddhist images did appear in the form of lotus motifs and flame decorations on the walls of Koguryo tombs. The golden statues of the Maitreya shows the continued advancement of Paekche metal-working skills. There were also stone statues and pagodas that are a testament of Buddhist influences in Paekche. A distinction in Paekche sculptures that is local and purely Korean is the "Paekche smile" that the images possess. This refers to a "warm, smiling expresssion" that Paekche sculpture exudes. Silla sculpture is noted for its variety of forms(meditative, standing, or sitting Bodhisattvas), susceptibility to foreign influences(Indian, Chinese, Japanese), and different materials used(granite, bronze, gold, iron). The most notable Buddhist sculptures of Silla include a relief image on a cliff face with Buddhist inscriptions, and images with Korean facial characteristics.

Chronology of the Three Kingdoms

SAMGUK SHIDAE

• 57 B C Founding of Silla
• 37 BC Founding of Koguryo
• 18 BC Founding of Paekche
• 42 AD Founding of Kaya
• 49AD First record of contact between Puyo and China
• 246 AD Paekche take-over of Liaoxi
• 369 AD Paekche eliminated Mahan
• 371 AD Paekche invasion of Koguryo; Koguryo's king Koguk-won killed
• 372 AD Koguryo acceptance of Buddhism
• 384 AD Paekche importation of Buddhism
• 433 AD Paekche-Silla military alliance formed against Koguryo
• 475AD Major Koguryo invasion of Paekche; Pae kche moves capital to Ung-jin (pr esent Kongju)
• 520 AD Major institutional reforms by Silla's king Pop-heung
• 532 AD Silla annexation of Great Kaya (Tae Kaya)
• 538 AD Paekche moves capital to Sabi (present Puyo)
• 551 AD Silla breaks pact with Paekche. Takes over Han river area.
• 562 AD Complete Silla annexation of Kaya
• 612 AD Major Sui invasion o f Koguryo; Koguryo crushed Sui
• 642 AD Invasion by Taizong of Tang against Koguryo;
• 660 AD Silla-Tang allied forces conquer Paekche
• 663 AD Defeat of the Paekche restoration movement
• 668 AD Fall of Koguryo to Silla-Tang army
• 676 AD Silla defeats Tang near Mae-cho fortress, complete hegemony over much of the peninsula (present Yong-in)
• 698 AD Establishment of Jin-kuk (Palhae) by Tae Jo-yong (This period is commonly referred to as the "Unified Silla" period. (Palhae has been recognized as a full-fledged Korean state).
• 733 AD Silla-Tang invasion of Palhae. Not successful
• 751AD Construction of Pulguk-sa temple and Sukkuram grotto
• 828 AD Chang Bogo establishes Chonghae fortress (present Wando)
• 835 AD Major palace coup; Kim Hyun-jong becomes king in one of the bloodiest palace coup in history. He is in turn killed by nephew Chae-yung, who becomes King Hung-dok
• 892 AD Establishment of Later Paekche (Hu-Paekche) by Kyon-hwon
• 901 AD Establishment of Later Koguryo (Taebong-guk) by Kung-ye
• 918 AD Establishment of Koryo by Wang-kon
• 935 AD End of Silla

This period marks a contentious period in which various Korean states were in contention with each other and the Han Chinese for control of East Asia. Kaya existed during this period (42 AD-562AD), so it might be more apt to refer to this period as "Four Kingdoms". But "Three Kingdoms" has been used for decades. It was referred here to as "Three Kingdoms", in order to avoid any confusion for the users of that terminology. (A note by Lee, Peter H.)

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