World Mythology, Monday, Period 3

[atreideslioness]

As the students came into the classroom, they would find tables again pushed against the wall, with a full spread of Surasang available for their dining pleasure, with large kettles of barley tea.  As much as Ghanima claims to be unable to cook, she is perfectly adept at it once properly motivated.  She's just too lazy to cook for herself.

"Today, boys and girls, we head east," she announced, sipping her tea.  "Given that the Olympics have just ended, I feel it appropriate that we spend some time reflecting on the stories behind the country, which made it what it is today."  

"The original religion of Korea was a form of the Eurasian shamanism and the totemism of Far East Asia, specifically of the nomadic peoples of present-day Manchuria. These were strongly colored by the later importations of Buddhism, Confucianismand Taoism from China."

"During the early ages, when Buddhism was on the rise, Korean shamanism was widely discredited in an attempt to establish Buddhism as the state religion. In later years both Korean Buddhism and shamanism were heavily purged, almost to the point of being lost from the consciousness of the general population."  Ghanima grinned as she wandered the classroom.  "That should sound rather familiar by this point in time.  It's a theme, children.  Memorize it."  

"After the Korean War in 1953, shamans came to be seen less as religious figures and more as charlatans willing to exploit people for money. Recently, however, there has been a substantial revival movement reclaiming an essential element of Korean culture."  She smiled as she continued her wandering of the classroom.  "That may bring to mind the comments of last class period, where Greek mythology fell out of favor with the rise of Logic.  Religion and myth have long been used exploitatively to try and con the masses.  However, when tensions rise with neighbouring countries, as evidenced by the current issues with North Korea and Japan, a nation tends to try and reclaim a national identity as a rallying point, regardless of any previous viewpoints on a particular cultural item."

"Now, although the society is suffused with Confucian values and customs, roughly half of South Koreans today identify themselves as non-religious, a quarter as Christians, and another quarter as Buddhists.  This makes for very interesting holidays, and the occasional conflicts in the educational system."

"Today, those believing in the indigenous Korean myths as a religion form a minority. Among them are the followers of Chondogyoand Daejonggyo, who worship Dangun as a god, in addition to several rural areas where shamanism has managed to survive."  Smiling, Ghani returned to the front of the room.  "Never underestimate the power of the rural peoples to save a culture.  They'll hide whatever their overlords try to smite down, either out of sheer stubborn pride, spite, or a sense of loyalty to the old ways."

"On your desks, you have a handout about The Sun and The Moon.  Tell me, what sounds familiar?  What do you find intriguing about this myth?  Do you see any similarities between other stories we've studied so far?"

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[atreideslioness]

With your hungriest icon!

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[intotheout]

Gratuity Tucci

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[in_sidon_we_trust]

Prince Sidon

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Ahsoka Tano

During the Lecture

[atreideslioness]

Take notes, pass notes, enjoy the banchan, surasang, and tea!

Class Discussion

[atreideslioness]

Look at the story of Haesik and Dalsun, and discuss your reactions!

[ooc: It's an all-class discussion, so feel free to ping into other people's threads.]

Talk to Ghanima

[atreideslioness]

She's here!

OOC

[atreideslioness]

This class brought to you by SOME PEOPLE posting about Korean food and making me hungry, and then a Shammens pointing out that post-Olympics was a perfect time to study Korea.