• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.18
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• pp.101-122
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• 2004

When people discuss the continental cultural elements in the ancient East Asian culture, people always attach great importance to the two major cultures of Confucianism and Taoism, but offer little explanation to the significant influence of the theory of yin and yang, the important philosophical base of the two major cultures. The theory of yin and yang, existing as the theoretical source at a profounder level, possesses philosophical connotations that are always embedded into the mainstream of thought, religions and customs, displaying its unique glamour in its unique way. Its influence is more than that, however. It has exerted far-reaching influence on and is of significant importance to the development of the ancient culture of East Asia. This article aims at exploring this field of study. After the erudite scholar of The Five Classics made a voyage to the east in the early sixth century, The Book of Changes, the most important Chinese ancient classic expounding the theory of yin and yang, started to circulate among the Japanese court, via Baiji in the Korea Peninsula. As a result, the theory of yin and yang found its way to Japan. Examining the spreading channels, we learn that the theory's dissemination was largely related to the activities of Buddhist monks. Shoutoku Prince, regent of Japan at the time, was himself an enthusiastic supporter of Buddhism and was excelled in the study of The Book of Changes and the theory of yin and yang. In the Twelve Ranks System and Seventeen-article Constitution promulgated by Shoutoku Prince, the influence of the theory of yin and yang and of the theory of the five elements can be visibly discerned. This obviously proves the sublime status of the Chinese theory of yin and yang in Japan, thanks to the victory of the political clique that adored Buddhism. In the shaping course of ancient Japanese culture, the theory of yin and yang served as an important philosophical source of its development. Mythology based on Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, two earliest Japanese books that exist today, record mythological stories about the emergence of the Japanese nation. The notion about the birth of heaven and earth and the forming of Japanese Shinto, expressed in the mythological stories, not only tell us the source and historical progress of the Japanese nation but also the nation's world outlook in the transition from barbarian period to civilized period, as well as the basis for its philosophical thinking. All these were marked with profound influence of the Chinese theory of yin and yang. The theory of yin and yang, as one of the ancient Chinese academic thoughts, was accepted asa political belief when it first spread to Japan. The emergence and establishment of both the Mikado system and the centralized regime in ancient Japan drew largely on the theory of yin and yang and adopted it as an important philosophical basis to deify and aggrandize the "imperial power" so as to protect the authority of the imperial ruling and consolidate the established regime. Following the continuous strengthening and expansion of the centralized state power, the theory of yin and yang was further employed, and gradually "hidden" in Japanese culture with the passage of time, finally becoming the edge tool of ancient Japanese Mikados in exercising political power and controlling the country.

• Journal of architectural history
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.103-126
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• 2009

This study aims to discover historical trends and change of form of all stupas in India with observation of field study that is as direct as possible, by classifying, analyzing, and synthesizing the stupas. Study of Indian stupa in Korea has a number of shortcomings since only introductory partial approach has been made in order to seek the origin of Korean pagoda. This study also aims to correct errors of stupa terminology in Chinese character committed by misinterpretation of Hindi language which was established by precedent Japanese scholars several decades ago. Piled-up stupas were totally destroyed by pagans, therefore their remains tell us only of structure, material, sizeand disposition. However remains of carved stone at torana and drum give us clues as to the original form of stupa and worshipping activity, as well as change to a more luxurious form. Many rock cave stupas of India show us both simple forms matching the ascetic age of early Buddhism and luxurious changes in Mahayanan era introducing us to statues of Buddha. Indians recovered the spheric form of 'anda,' a Hindi term meaning cosmic egg, from the hemispheric form of the piled-up stupa. Therefore we might discard the erratic term of 'bokbal', which means an upset vessel. Railings and parasols became main factors of stupa design. Carved railings around stupa became a sign of divinity. Serious worshipping activity made drums long or high and created multi-embossed stripes. Bases of circular drums of some cave stupas changed their shapes to rectangular or octagonal. Single parasols became multiparasols of affluent flowerlike curved stems on carved stupa. Multistoried, elongated and high parasols of Gandhara stupas are closely related to such factors as diverse changes of form in Indian subcontinent. Four-sided torana gate and ayaka column of the circular form of original stupas suggest the rectangular form of subsequent East Asian pagoda, and higher and wider base of Indian stupas became the origin of East Asian rectangular pagoda.

• The Journal of Korean Medical History
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2010

Ayurveda is one of the most historic and comprehensive medical system in the world. It was passed down as Buddhist medicine with Buddhism to influence enormously to East Asian medicine. Therefore, researches on Ayurveda is important in studying East Asian medicine as well as in studying Indian traditional medicine and althernative medicine. However, in previous studies, the term, 'Ayurveda', was mistaken and misused frequently. Clarifying the relations between the definition of Ayurveda and Indian traditional medicine is essential in preventing future controversy. Therefore, such relations were studied to draw following conclusions. 1. 'Ayurveda' is the term determining the oldest medicine system in the world that originated in India. Reportedly, the first book about Ayurveda is "Agnivesha samhita", and the oldest existing book is "Charaka Samhita". No records were found on medine books named Ayurveda, and interpreting Ayurveda to be a name of a book is explicitly misunderstanding. 2. There are various divisions of Indian traditional medicine in previous studies. However, divisions in 6 types of Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Yoga, Naturopathy and Homoeopathy is the most proper. 3. Ayurveda gained some similarities as it exchanged with other medicine systems. However, since each medicine system has unique characteristics, they must be separately studied. Especially, current Indian traditional medicine system has many divisions. Terms of 'Indian traditional medicine' and 'Ayurveda' must be separately used.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.73-82
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• 2003

In the early years of the Koryo dynasty(877~1392), the grain production was encouraged and the consumption of meat was abstained because of the Buddhism. Therefore, desserts including rice cos and cookies and teas were prevalent. Specially, the cooking skill of the desserts was highly developed because the desserts were the requisite of offered in Buddhist service and national ceremonies. Also, the king took the lead in abstaining to eat meat. According to $\boxDr$Koryodokyung$\boxUl$ , People in the early Years of the Koryo dynasty were unskilled to slaughter for serving meat to the envoy from China. Most ceremonies in Koryo dynasty were held fur retainers by king and the ceremonies held to celebrate the coronation, birth of the royal grandchildren, and royal birthday, and to treat the envoys and merchants from China(Song dynasty) and Tamra kingdom. The ceremonies were continuously held from the early year to the later year of Koryo dynasty. The aristocracy of the Koryo dynasty often held the extravagant ceremonies and drank liquor a lot in the ceremony and offered the extravagant foods such as oil-and-honey pastry and milk, which caused the national problem later. The royal religious ceremonies held often in the Koryo dynasty were ancestor worship ceremony, tea ceremony, lotus lantern ceremony, Palgwanhoe, etc. In Koryo dynasty, there were several government offices that took charge of royal dietary culture as follows: 1. Yomulgo (料物庫) - government office supplied with provisions 2. Sasunseo(司謄署) - government office that took charge of various kinds of side dishes 3. Saonseo(司酪署) - government office that took charge of wine and liquor 4. Naejangtaek(內莊宅) - government office managed paddy fields and dry fields owned by royal family 5. Sangsikguk(尙食局) - government office same as Sasunseo that took charge of various kinds of side dishes, the name changed to Sasunseo later 6. Sungwanseo (謄官署) - government office that took charge of foods for various religious services and ceremonies 7. Naewonseo (內園署) - government office that took charge of the garden

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.228-235
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• 2011

The 卍 shape which is used as an aesthetical feature for traditional architecture can be seen in the stair railings of the house shaped ceramic potteries in the Eastern Han dynasty(A.D. 25-220) but with the introduction of Buddhism, it has been widely used for the decoration of the sarira(small crystals of the cremated monks) case. After the shape was seen in the Yungang and Dunhwang grottoes mural paintings, the use of it has been expanded. In Korea during the excavation of the Gyeongju Anapji which was the Eastern palace of the Shilla dynasty, a 卍 shaped wood which had been used as a handrail was found and this shape was also used in the railings of the Shilsangsa Baekjangarn temple stone pagoda and lantern and in the sarira case excavated in the Songrimsa temple stone pagoda. In Japan, the Nara period(A.D. 710-794) when there were many cultural exchanges with the Korean peninsula, the handrails of the 2ndfloor of the main hall of Hoyu-ji temple has a 卍 shape. This can be confirmed that this shape has been widely used as a design in Asian Buddhist architecture. Gilsangoonhae(吉祥雲海) which is the symbolic meaning of this shape means for long life and luck which had been used generally for the window designs of temples, palaces, and houses. In this study, it is giving the definition the beginning and the symbolic meaning of the 卍 shape which is being used from the ancient times until nowadays and the change of this shape used for window designs.

• Journal of the Korea Furniture Society
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.156-182
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• 2013

In this paper, the origin, development and features of a Korean folding stool are studied. A folding stool is a piece of collapsible seating furniture with its legs crossed in the form of the letter "X" and no back attached. In China, the folding stool was introduced from the West around the second century A.D. The folding stool of Korea was influenced by that of China. It is known from the records that the king used the folding stool from the Three Kingdom period. During the Koryo period, Chosun period and the modern period, the folding stool was used to show the authority of the king and nobleman. The folding stool was also used at outside places such as a hunting ground, a ceremonial walk, a battlefield, a garden etc. due to its portableness. Buddha worship policy of Koryo period supported the usage of the folding stool for shanding (禪定) by ascetics of Buddhist temple, or aristocrats. In a contemporary period, the folding stool is continuously produced and used as one kind of a folding chair due to its functionality, movability, storability and efficient space utilization. This research will serve as a momentum to investigate the origin and development of the East Asian seating furniture culture, and contribute to the further study and manufacturing of Korean seating furniture.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.149-158
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• 2012

Objectives : In modern meditation, psychologic therapy and happy life have been in the main status. The aim of this study is to search about the value of modern meditation systematically and to summarize the contents on the meditation in "Donguibogam(東醫寶鑑)". Methods : We investigated the meditation-related materials in "Donguibogam(東醫寶鑑)", and discussed them in comparison with the other contents found in "Huangdi's Internal Classic(黃帝內經)" and some scriptures on meditation and self-discipline. Results : The mind-body concept in Korean Medicine takes meditation and self-discipline into main consideration. Meditation and self-discipline mean the endless pursuing the nature of mind and body, thus leading to self-practice about the true meaning of life. "Donguibogam(東醫寶鑑)" includes the views on the meditation and self-discipline from the various angles based on Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. Conclusions : Meditation and self-discipline rooted in East Asian tradition are good ways to reach the true nature of mind-body system of universe and to help people seek happiness in their lives.

• Acta Via Serica
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.25-49
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• 2020

This essay, based on an oral presentation, provides the non-specialist, with an evaluation of the Mongols' influence and China and, to a lesser extent, on Russia and the Middle East. Starting in the 1980s, specialists challenged the conventional wisdom about the Mongol Empire's almost entirely destructive influence on global history. They asserted that Mongols promoted vital economic, social, and cultural exchanges among civilizations. Chinggis Khan, Khubilai Khan, and other rulers supported trade, adopted policies of toleration toward foreign religions, and served as patrons of the arts, architecture, and the theater. Eurasian history starts with the Mongols. Exhibitions at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art confirmed that the Mongol era witnessed extraordinary developments in painting, ceramics, manuscript illustration, and textiles. To be sure, specialists did not ignore the destruction and killings that the Mongols engendered. This reevaluation has prompted both sophisticated analyses of the Mongols' legacy in Eurasian history. The Ming dynasty, the Mongols' successor in China, adopted some of the principles of Mongol military organization and tactics and were exposed to Tibetan Buddhism and Persian astronomy and medicine. The Mongols introduced agricultural techniques, porcelain, and artistic motifs to the Middle East, and supported the writing of histories. They also promoted Sufism in the Islamic world and influenced Russian government, trade, and art, among other impacts. Europeans became aware, via Marco Polo who traveled through the Mongols' domains, of Asian products, as well as technological, scientific, and philosophical innovations in the East and were motivated to find sea routes to South and East Asia.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.87-94
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• 2019

South Korean films narrate exquisitely, express emotions implicitly and employ magnificent images, exemplifying unique oriental aesthetics. This paper takes Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds (2017) as an example to analyze the meaning of oriental aesthetics in South Korean films using the Film Narrative Theory. It is a fantasy blockbuster depicting family kinship stories. It structures with the familiar karma and reincarnation of Asian Buddhism with the core of family kinship. Perfectly interpreting the fantasy world of hell with stunning movie effects, it shows the family kinship of families under the main plot line of a horror film.

• Acta Via Serica
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.67-90
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• 2024

India, Southeast Asia in general, and Siam in particular share a long history of cultural and commercial relations. Located in each other's extended neighbourhood, India and Thailand have a shared maritime boundary in the Andaman Sea. Situated in the strategic position, midway between West Asia on the one hand and East Asia on the other, India and Siam combined played a significant role in the maritime transactions in Asia and beyond. The geographical proximity between India and Siam led to multifaceted maritime interactions and exchanges. Siam was in the Indian sphere of cultural, religious, philosophical, technical, and linguistic influence much before the Common Era. The cultural and mercantile networks between India and Siam are well-attested by archaeological and literary sources. The archaeological findings in Siam and other Southeast Asian countries have revealed the dynamic trade and cultural exchange between India and Southeast Asia since the pre-Common Era. The Takola (modern Takua Pa) area served as a more suitable landing place for Indian merchants and there existed the settlement of the Indian mercantile community. Ligor (Nakhon Si Thammarat), Jaya (Chaiya), Patalung (Phatalung), U Thong, Ban Don Tha Pet, Ban U Taphao, Khao Sam Kaeo, and many other sites in Siam have brought to light a large variety of objects which demonstrate that ancient Siam had close mercantile contact with India as well as the Mediterranean world and China. The paper discusses in detail the cultural and trade links between India and Siam and their impact on the Maritime Silk Road.