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.jpg) The Buddha, his life and teachings, have been an inspiration to artists in
many countries all through the ages. Korea is no exception. An appreciation
of Korean culture is incomplete without an understanding of Buddhism's role
in the development of the Korean arts.
For Korean Buddhist art is everywhere evident throughout the long history
of the peninsula. Over half of the nation's 230 National Treasures are Buddhist:
At least 37 statues, stone Buddhas and rock reliefs, 25 pagodas, 14 buildings,
15 stupas and lanterns, bells, several paintings and several copies of Sutras,
including the huge set of the Tripitaka wood-blocks at Haein-sa Temple.
Nearly half of Korea's 848 officially designated treasures are Buddhist too.
And the lists continue on through national, regional and local cultural properties;
new discoveries are frequently being made. There would have been much more if
it were not for the ravages of invasion and the greed of foreign collectors.
Numerous works of Korean Buddhist art can be found in Japanese and in Western
Collections.
Buddhist principles influencing the arts are sometimes obvious and
sometimes not so obvious. Some fundamental Buddhist principles found in Korean
Art are:
.jpg) 1. Inclusiveness - the ability of Buddhism to absorb
differentinfluences. This can be seen in the variety of cultures and philosophies absorbed
into Korean Buddhist Art: Theravada, Mahayana, Tantric, Shamanism and Confucianism.
2. Interrelatedness - the combining of several arts to portray its
true beauty; the Monk's Dance "Sung-mu" demonstrates a performing
art which is a combination of music, dance, embroidery and costume.
3. Interdependence - the relationship of the parts to the whole and
of the whole to the parts.
All Korean temples are built without nails so that they can be dismantled
and moved to new locations, a true example of interdependence.
Like these principles, Buddhist values are also prominent in Korean Art.
From the art of making paper lotus lanterns for the Buddha's Birthday to building
a temple complex, most Buddhist ar | 
