• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.29-37
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• 2005

According to Confucianism, the world before Confucius focused on respecting the heaven which meant that everything could be done by the heaven. After the period of Confucianism, Joo-Ja asserted that everything could be done by nature. During the Chosun Dynasty, philosophers such as Seo Kyung-duck, Lee Hwang, and Lee Yi talked about four characters and seven passions of human being. They started to focus more on the inside of human nature. During the later period of the Chosun Dynasty, a philosopher by the name of Dongmugong Lee Jema analyzed that one's nature and feelings can change his or her external matter and the function of internal organs by purity or impurity of one's mind. Based on these analysis, Dongmugong discovered 'sasangin' which puts more emphasis on one's state of mind compared to the outside the world. Also, Dongmugong tried to figure out the connections between Confucianism and medical science. If you use change fire and stone theory which is difference between hado and nock-seo to expain four seven theory one's mind could be define as four natural characters and seven feelings. From four seven theory four is ying and seven is yang. This is the method of cure and understand the structure of human body. And also, four natural characters and seven feelings can be divided into heaven and earth. You can see Four natural characters is far more similar to heaven and seven feelings are similar to earth. According to four-seven theory hado is permanent and you can find out 'sasangin' is permanent also. Since seven feelings are influenced by sam-jae, you can analogize there are 21 different types in 'sasangin'. An underlying principle should there be 28 different types of sasangin instead of 21 different types of sasangin but one quater of sasangin is hidden according to samhyuniljang theory. All creations in the world are organized by unification of the great absolute and symmetry distinction of yingyang. With these facts identity of the heaven, earth and man which is named samjae generates symbols of independent sasang. And also, sasang generates relations between five element, six energy and the six family relation. From six family relation comes seven feelings of man which creates a category of the eight trigrams for divination and unification of nine palace. All these process are united.

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.38
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• pp.129-162
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• 2013

Noju Oh Hui-sang was a Confucian who was active during the reign of King Sunjo in late Joseon Dynasty and he also was a master of the Sallim faction. Though he is known as an eclectic Neo-Confucian, he had profound knowledge in the study of Confucian classics as well through succeeding the family study handed down by his father Oh Jae-sun and his oldest brother Oh Yun-sang. This thesis hereby examines Noju's Confucianism doctrine and its characteristics. Noju's Confucianism doctrine is characterized significantly with the following aspects. First, its analyses are detailed overall and it annotates chapters and verses mostly related to Neo-Confucian theories on interpretation of the Confucian classics. Second, it conducts in-depth study not only on Chu Hsi's annotation but also on the small commentaries (小注) in Compendium of the Commentaries on Four Chinese Classics (四書集註大全). In terms of Chu Hsi's theory, however, Noju interprets Confucian classics while supplementing shortcomings on Chu Hsi's theory rather than opposing it. For opinions of all philosophers and scholars on small commentaries, it expresses rather critical theories than supporting ones. Third, it quotes many theories not only of Chinese Confucians but also of Korean ones. It mainly introduces theories of Namdang Han Won-jin, including those of Yi Yulgok. Among them, it particularly has frequent quotations from Han Won-jin's Kyoungyigimunrok (經義記聞錄). Fourth, Noju actively acknowledges senior Confucians' theories many times in quoting them but he also daringly points out their errors when a theory is thought not to be appropriate. He indicates errors one by one in theories not only of Uam and Yulgok but even of Mencius. Fifth, it especially discusses Book of Changes (周易) in depth. It tends to criticize Chengzi's I-Chuan (易傳) but accept Chu Hsi's Benyi (本義). It roughly explains Book of Changes in general but seldom directly accounts for trigrams of it other than Qian trigram and it has detailed explanation especially on Xicizhuan (繫辭傳).

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.36-47
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• 2017

In this research, sematic comparative study on formative idea and landscape elements composition was made between Soswaewon which was a remote villa garden in Joseon Dynasty and Canglang Pavilion which was built at a time when Neo-confucianism had been created in Song dynasty. From which the summary was resulted as below: Firstly, Soswaewon was fully devoted to Neo-confucianism among Korean remote villa gardens, Canglang-Pavilion was deeply affiliated with Neo-confucianism the deep-rooted thought. Adding a comment, as a richly historied Chinese private garden it was the best preserved even now and the farmost point from now and approximately 500 years advanced than Soswaewon, moreover Sosunheum the builder belonged to gentry society in Song dynasty. Secondly, Both Soswaewon and Canglang-Pavilion were remarkable thank to nature friendly concept which was deeply rooted in the eremitic thought(隱逸思想). Most of all, it might be interpreted the location of Soswaewon lay down in a mountain, as to be swallow hidden(小隱) but that of Canglang-Pavilion lay down in a city, as to be middle hidden(中隱). Thirdly, approaching with comparative study to gardens' factors implicated in symbolization when naming both Soswaewon and Canglang-Pavilion, neo-confucianism in Song dynasty in which diverse thoughts ranging Confucianism and Buddhism and Taoism had formed ensemble and developed was deeply built in Soswaewon, as to be in consistency to nature and to be a basis for comprehending diverse symbolization factors found in Canglang-Pavilion. Fourthly, given that forms or factors of gardens was tangibly came up with thoughts' variation we surely underwent to comparative study. Through which we could know Soswaewon was made by maximizing use of nature but minimizing addition of artificial things. In other words, it was trial of expressing semantic feature of the site in a way blending natural circumstance and liberal one. One of the representatives, Daebongdae in Soswaewon was a site where the owner's idea came up with. Scenary was recreated and nature was represented in interspace of Canglang-Pavilion with the high wall around the border, for which it renounced the world. To the end, it was understood there was the location characteristic of Canglang-Pavilion which let us look down from mountain and take some time for introspection. It might be said that the cultural root was in common between Korea and China, however it was found there were lots of differences in forms and features of gardens. We were able to interpret that social and cultural background were led to gardens' formation in which individual characteristic of two nations were blended, from which difference was resulted.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.155-165
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• 2013

Koreans' traditional view on death has been much influenced by Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, and shamanism since ancient times. Confucianism emphasizes the importance of the real life in this world and highly praises doing good deeds for the family and the community. It also praises people who are enlightened by education and self-discipline. Confucian scholars admit that death cannot be understood by rational thinking although it is unavoidable as a cosmic order. Taoism sees life as the same entity as death; Both are two different aspects of the same cosmos or the wholeness. However, the disciples of Taoism became much interested in a long life and well being that may be achieved by harmonizing with the cosmic order. Buddhism thinks that death and life are an "illusion". It says that people can be enlightened by recognizing the fact that "Nothing is born and nothing is dying in this world. Everything is the product of your mind occupied with false belief." However, secular Buddhists believe in the afterlife and metempsychosis of the soul. This belief is sometimes connected with the view of the traditional shamanism. Shamanism dichotomizes the world between "this world" and "that world". After death, the person's soul travels to "that world", where it may influence life of people who reside in "this world". And shamans who are spiritual beings living in "this world" mediate souls and living people. In conclusion, there are various views and beliefs regarding death, which are influenced by a number of religions and philosophies. They should be seriously considered when making a medical decision regarding the end of patients' life.

• Journal of architectural history
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• v.10 no.3 s.27
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• pp.25-43
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• 2001

The purpose of this study is to investigate the meaning of letter-shaped house plan of the Imchongak in Andong and to Analyze its housing principles. The letter-shaped house plan of the Imchongak lays its root in the traditional Eastern thoughts, showing feature of Taolsm. The Imchongak applied the principles of a good land and a good house, which are originated from the Yonyang theory, Five elements theory, Poongsochiri, housing principles and letter shapes of good fortune. The letter shape of the Imchongak is 用(as below), and 日, 月, and 明 are contained in it. The lette 明means brightening the mind and life of human being by himself. The letter 用 is shaped to express the idea of Cheayong Theory of Confucianism, which refer to everlasting interaction of all thing in the universe. In applying the housing principles, Potaebob was used for the orientation of the house. Samhabbob, Jungeomjungyangbob and Dongsusataecbob were utilized to locate the gate. In addition, Dongsusataecbob was used for the positioning of rooms in most cases. The Imchongak succeeded traditional Eastern thoughts and it realized the concept and philosophical idea of Confucianism as a house. What is importan in the house plan of the Imchongak is that it repesents the ideal of Confucians in Chosun Dyansty that the man, house, nature, and universe are one. It also advocates ideology of Confucianism which emphasizes that a human life can be completed when man live together with the nature and harmonize themselves with it.

• Journal of architectural history
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.85-95
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• 2004

Through 16-17th century, Neo-Confucianism was accepted and extended to Chosun Dynasty. The architecture of the Taegae school made buildings of Yongnam area rich by adding the regional characteristics based on Taegae's thought of architecture. The following is the architectural characteristics of the academic clique around Sangju. Transformation such as separation and combination of the Jeongsa space by function, lifted floor type reflecting local feature or high platform was appeared, and the architectural characteristics of the Taegae school, that is, a small scale, a moderate figure, a type of side-attached floor, landscape, were still maintained at the same time. The characteristics of the Taegae school and regional figure of Sangju were well joined. The upper class houses, Seodang, Jeongsa and Seowon, built by Confucianist had shared common Confucian characteristics in spite of their different purposes. The world view of the Confucianism such as sacrifice for sages, cultivation, devoting for study, teaching disciples, and education for villagers was revealed through the Confucian architecture including dwelling houses during the 16-17th century. Buildings of Confucianist were focused on the space for men. Seoae and Kyumam built two different Jeongsa's inside and outside of the boundary of the nakdong river. While Seodang and Jeongsa located outside of the boundary of the river were built excluding spaces for living, the function of the Jeongsa located inside of the boundary of the river was assimilated by Sarangcahe. However, both buildings kept the function for cultivation, devoting for study and teaching.

• Journal of architectural history
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.79-88
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• 2020

During the Joseon Dynasty, the rituals that were celebrated in the palaces were mainly held inside the palace and in the courtyard of the palace. Mats were spread on the floor of the place where the ritual was held. The mats spread in the Joseon Dynasty rituals divided the space in various ways, and in particular, they were spread in a certain form in the spaces of royal wedding, customs, and court banquet. Mats were the primary physical element that divided the royal ritual space of the Joseon Dynasty, and functioned to elevate the general space to the ritual space. In the ritual space, mats were spread inside the palace, and divided the courtyard of the palace into left and right in a symmetrical form to distinguish the hierarchy of the participants. Mats with special and white patterns were spread in the external ceremonial space and mats with flower and colorful patterns were spread in the internal ceremonial space. This was the subdivision of the Confucianism's male-female division through the mat. The pattern of the mat that divided the space of the royal family elders also meant longevity to reflect the filial thoughts of the Confucianism through the mat. Mats were a physical element for subdividing the royal family and the participants in the hierarchy of the space where the ritual is held, and it also performed a subdividing function between the royal participants. In other words, in the Joseon Dynasty ritual space, mats were temporarily spread while the ritual is being celebrated and functioned to elevate the space to a ritual space. It is confirmed that the fact that the mats were temporarily spread to divide the space into the hierarchies according to the status and were subdivided into colors and patterns to perform the function to reflect the subdivision of the royal family according to Confucianism and the statue of filial piety in the ritual.

• Journal of the Daesoon Academy of Sciences
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• v.34
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• pp.49-74
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• 2020

Daesoon Thought (大巡思想) emerged from indigenous Korean religion during the Joseon Dynasty. Thinkers within this tradition took Kang Jeungsan (姜甑山 secular name Kang Il-Sun 姜一淳 1871~1909) as their Highest God (上帝) and The Canonical Scripture (典經) as their main scripture. The Tenets, Four Cardinal Mottoes, Three Essential Attitudes, and Aims of Daesoon Thought are related to the concepts, categorical thought, and structure found in Confucianism. In particular, terms such as The Virtuous Concordance of Yin and Yang (陰陽合德), gods and humans^* (神人 ^*also 'divine humans' in some contexts), Dao Governance (道統), Quieting the Mind and Quieting the Body (安心安身), and Sincerity, Respectfulness, and Faithfulness (誠敬信) are all widely used in Confucianism. This paper will examine Daesoon Thought from the perspective of the Confucian Thinker, Yulgok (栗谷), and more specifically, his Theory of Reason and Energy (理氣論) and its key concepts: The Wondrousness of Reason and Energy (理氣之妙), Triggered Energy Transports Reason (氣發理乘), and Reason Pervades and Energy Delimits (理通氣局). It will be shown that Daesoon Thought shares essentially the same thinking and reasoning, and as such, the two systems are organically connected. Furthermore, both schools of thought pursue harmonious adjustment and emphasize practice. Although this study may contain suggestions which seem far-fetched when compared to previous studies, it investigates Daesoon Thought from the perspective of Neo-Confucian discourse on Nature and Principle (性理), which had great value in the mainstream culture of Korea's Joseon Dynasty. Given that Daesoon Thought and Neo-Confucianism both are forms of traditional thought, there is bound to be some connection between them.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Traditional Landscape Architecture
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.66-77
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• 2016

This contribution studied constructional intentions, ideas, thought and aesthetic consciousness of Joseon Royal Tombs regarding its location, spatial organization and elements. A literature investigation and a field study have been carried out, and the royal tombs of the Goryeo Dynasty and the Shilla Dynasty also have been studied to look for the its origins. The outcomes are as follows. The tomb's system of Joseon Royal Tombs inherited the King Gongmin's Tomb of the Goryeo Dynasty of Buddhism, but they have their own characteristics in a spatial organization and elements involved in Confucianism, Taoism, not only Buddhism. In the aspect of location, Joseon Royal Tombs followed the Feng-shu geometric principle to find a land that have a mountain in the back, and a river in the front. Spatial plan was carried out with Confucianism to apply the order of rank. Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism are shown with the elements such as architecture, landscape architecture, stone objects, and historical forest being connected each other. Especially, constructional intentions, ideas, thought and aesthetic consciousness are connected with the people in Joseon Royal Tombs through the ritual ceremony of Confucianism.

• The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
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• no.35
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• pp.165-188
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• 2012

The purpose of this study is to examine the historical consciousness and view of the three religions (Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism) of Won Cheon Seok who lived a period of historical transition from the end of the Goryeo Dynasty to the early Joseon Dynasty. Actively speaking for the public in his time and having the same attitude as the Neo-Confucian scholars in the end of Goryeo Dynasty, he kept criticizing the abuse of the power by powerful families who made the people fall into a state of distress and misery. He believed the dispatch of troops to conquer the Yodong region as a great opportunity to boost the valiant spirit of his country; however, the reality was quite opposite to his expectation as Lee Seong Gye had withdrawn the army troops at the Wihwado causing a great risk to his country. He took a very hard line stance against what Lee Seong Gye did. Although he was a Confucian scholar, he did not ignore Buddhism and Taoism and understood that after all the three religions were based on the same principle. His deep understanding of Buddhism and Taoism as well as Confucianism helped him to make sense of Confucianism even further. He was able to sublimate the worldly anguish coming from the Confucian thinking system by indulging himself deeply into the world view of Buddhism and Taoism. In the end, his view on the three religions was based on the idea that they taught the same principle. His view of the three religions with transactional features has a huge implication for the contemporary society in which various values and multiple cultures coexist and have more common grounds.