Daesun Jinrihoe
Encyclopedia
Daesun Jinrihoe is a Korean new religious movement
, founded in April 1969 by Park Han-gyeong (박한경) (1918–96). It is a splinter of the syncretic religion founded by Gang Il-Sun
(1871–1909, also known as Chungsan Kang). Another splinter is the religion Jeung San Do
, which was founded in 1974. Jeung San Do is better known outside Korea, but less widely followed within Korea; the two religions are bitter rivals.
, Buddhas
and bodhisattva
.
Daesun Jinrihoe teachings are often similar to Confucianism
, including an emphasis on reverence, sincerity, and trust, but they diverge from the patriarchy and social hierarchy of that belief. Some followers of the religion believe in a Trinity (similar to the beliefs of another Korean religion, Taejonggyo
), made up of Gang Il-Sun, Cho Ch’ŏlje, and Park Han-gyeong. Cho Ch’ŏlje (1895–1958) was the founder of the religion Taegukdo, a precursor to Daesun Jinrihoe.
Followers believe that there will be a "Great Transformation", after which humans will live in a universe with no poverty, disease, or war, and with no need for divine intervention. They have a chant called T'aeul that they believe hastens this transformation. The kaebyŏk
(개벽, literally "dawn of a new age") or apocalypse
has been predicted several times by the group, including in 1984.
In 1969 Park established a religion that was initially called T’aegŭkchillihoe in Chunggok-dong in Seoul. The religion took on its present name, Daesun Jinrihoe, in 1972. After Park died in 1996 there was a power struggle, because he has not named a successor and he had not been expected to die before the predicted kaebyŏk (apocalypse). In July 1999, 1,500 people from one faction raided the headquarters in Yŏju and drove out Yi Yujong and his followers, and a face-off had to be broken up by riot police. In January 2000, Yi's faction unsuccessfully tried to retake the compound.
, which was founded in 1992. All well as spiritual activities, they campaign on issues such as the environment, gender equality, reunification of Korea and world peace.
Members are often recruited at large bookstores or on the Seoul underground; they are asked if they are interested in Eastern thought and invited to learn more, without Daesun Jinrihoe being mentioned. Rumors of extortion and violence against opponents are common. Many members work without pay on the religion's projects, and have little sleep.
found it had 67,632 followers (sixth behind Wŏn Buddhism
with 84,918 followers), and a 2005 census revealed fewer than 35,000 Koreans claimed a belief in a Chungsan religion, of which Daesun Jinrihoe is one. The survey and census may have underestimated the number of followers due to a lack of a specific category for Daesun Jinrihoe and other new religions, and because followers do not label themselves with a religious affiliation.
By the mid-1990s Daesun Jinrihoe had over 1,500 centers, and the headquarters at Yŏju can house 10,000 people. The growth of the religion has been attributed to its nativism, beliefs in magic, messianism and enlightenment, a focus on the present, and the efficiency and hierarchy of the organization.
New religious movement
A new religious movement is a religious community or ethical, spiritual, or philosophical group of modern origin, which has a peripheral place within the dominant religious culture. NRMs may be novel in origin or they may be part of a wider religion, such as Christianity, Hinduism or Buddhism, in...
, founded in April 1969 by Park Han-gyeong (박한경) (1918–96). It is a splinter of the syncretic religion founded by Gang Il-Sun
Gang Il-Sun
Gang Il-Sun , also known as Chungsan Kang Il-sun and known to his followers as JeungSan SangJeNim, is the founder of a religion that lead to the Korean religions Jeung San Do and Daesun Jinrihoe. He was born in a small town near the city of Gimje in what was then the Jeolla province of Korea...
(1871–1909, also known as Chungsan Kang). Another splinter is the religion Jeung San Do
Jeung San Do
Jeung Sando or Jeungism is a new religion founded in Korea in 1974. This movement is characterised by a universal message, millenarianism and a method of healing meditation...
, which was founded in 1974. Jeung San Do is better known outside Korea, but less widely followed within Korea; the two religions are bitter rivals.
Beliefs
Daesun Jinrihoe followers believe that Gang Il-Sun was Sangjenim, or the Supreme God, in human form. Other revered figures include Jesus Christ, the Jesuit missionary Matteo RicciMatteo Ricci
Matteo Ricci, SJ was an Italian Jesuit priest, and one of the founding figures of the Jesuit China Mission, as it existed in the 17th-18th centuries. His current title is Servant of God....
, Buddhas
Buddhahood
In Buddhism, buddhahood is the state of perfect enlightenment attained by a buddha .In Buddhism, the term buddha usually refers to one who has become enlightened...
and bodhisattva
Bodhisattva
In Buddhism, a bodhisattva is either an enlightened existence or an enlightenment-being or, given the variant Sanskrit spelling satva rather than sattva, "heroic-minded one for enlightenment ." The Pali term has sometimes been translated as "wisdom-being," although in modern publications, and...
.
Daesun Jinrihoe teachings are often similar to Confucianism
Confucianism
Confucianism is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius . Confucianism originated as an "ethical-sociopolitical teaching" during the Spring and Autumn Period, but later developed metaphysical and cosmological elements in the Han...
, including an emphasis on reverence, sincerity, and trust, but they diverge from the patriarchy and social hierarchy of that belief. Some followers of the religion believe in a Trinity (similar to the beliefs of another Korean religion, Taejonggyo
Taejonggyo
Daejonggyo meaning "Religion of Dangun") is a religion of Korea founded in Seoul in 1909 by Na Cheol . The god of the religion is the legendary king Tan-gun or Dangun, who ruled over a Korean empire around 5000 years ago; it is the best known of around 17 new religious movements that worship Tan-gun...
), made up of Gang Il-Sun, Cho Ch’ŏlje, and Park Han-gyeong. Cho Ch’ŏlje (1895–1958) was the founder of the religion Taegukdo, a precursor to Daesun Jinrihoe.
Followers believe that there will be a "Great Transformation", after which humans will live in a universe with no poverty, disease, or war, and with no need for divine intervention. They have a chant called T'aeul that they believe hastens this transformation. The kaebyŏk
Gaebyeok
In the Korean religion of Jeungism, the term Gaebyeok refers to a sudden change in nature, society and human beings.-Great Opening 開闢:Jeungism calls a sudden change in culture, human and nature, Gaebyeok...
(개벽, literally "dawn of a new age") or apocalypse
Apocalypse
An Apocalypse is a disclosure of something hidden from the majority of mankind in an era dominated by falsehood and misconception, i.e. the veil to be lifted. The Apocalypse of John is the Book of Revelation, the last book of the New Testament...
has been predicted several times by the group, including in 1984.
History
Little is known of the founder, Park Han-gyeong, who stayed out of the public eye despite being said to be charismatic by Daesun Jinrihoe's leadership. Park was a follower of Cho Ch’ŏlje in Pusan, and when Cho died in 1958 Park led the "New" branch of his followers. The other branch was led by Cho's son, Cho Yŏngnae. The two branches fought, sometimes violently.In 1969 Park established a religion that was initially called T’aegŭkchillihoe in Chunggok-dong in Seoul. The religion took on its present name, Daesun Jinrihoe, in 1972. After Park died in 1996 there was a power struggle, because he has not named a successor and he had not been expected to die before the predicted kaebyŏk (apocalypse). In July 1999, 1,500 people from one faction raided the headquarters in Yŏju and drove out Yi Yujong and his followers, and a face-off had to be broken up by riot police. In January 2000, Yi's faction unsuccessfully tried to retake the compound.
Activities
Daesun Jinrihoe is known in Korea for building educational and medical establishments, including Daejin UniversityDaejin University
Daejin University is a private university in Pocheon City, Gyeonggi province of South Korea. About 200 instructors are employed. The current president is Chung, Tae Soo, who has served since the university's founding....
, which was founded in 1992. All well as spiritual activities, they campaign on issues such as the environment, gender equality, reunification of Korea and world peace.
Members are often recruited at large bookstores or on the Seoul underground; they are asked if they are interested in Eastern thought and invited to learn more, without Daesun Jinrihoe being mentioned. Rumors of extortion and violence against opponents are common. Many members work without pay on the religion's projects, and have little sleep.
Membership
The religion has a following among Korean housewives, businessmen, and students. It claims a membership of six million, though a 1995 survey by The Chosun IlboThe Chosun Ilbo
The Chosun Ilbo is one of the major newspapers in South Korea. With a daily circulation of over 2,200,000, the Chosun Ilbo has undertaken annual inspections since Audit Bureau of Circulations was established in 1993...
found it had 67,632 followers (sixth behind Wŏn Buddhism
Won Buddhism
Wŏn Buddhism, a compound of the Korean wŏn and pulgyo , means literally "Round Buddhism," or "Consummate Buddhism." It is the name of an indigenous religion founded in Korea in the 20th century.-History:...
with 84,918 followers), and a 2005 census revealed fewer than 35,000 Koreans claimed a belief in a Chungsan religion, of which Daesun Jinrihoe is one. The survey and census may have underestimated the number of followers due to a lack of a specific category for Daesun Jinrihoe and other new religions, and because followers do not label themselves with a religious affiliation.
By the mid-1990s Daesun Jinrihoe had over 1,500 centers, and the headquarters at Yŏju can house 10,000 people. The growth of the religion has been attributed to its nativism, beliefs in magic, messianism and enlightenment, a focus on the present, and the efficiency and hierarchy of the organization.
External links
- Websites of branches of the religion: Daesun Jinrihoe; Daesoonjinrihoe; DSJR
- Report on Daesun Jinrihoe by the Refugee Review Tribunal, Australia