Hinduism in Korea
Encyclopedia
Hinduism is a minority religion in Korea
. Through Buddhism
, it has also had an indirect impact on certain aspects of traditional Korean thought. The Four Heavenly Kings
that can be seen in Korean Buddhist temples originated from the Lokapālas.
and the Sri Sri Radha Krishna temple
, located on Seoul's outskirts, approximately 2 hours from the city centre. South Korea
is home to a small number of migrants, including students and engineers, from countries such as India
and Nepal
many of whom are Hindu
. Yoga
has also gained increasing popularity in recent years.
Sri Radha Shyamasundar Mandir is open daily, at specific times in the morning and evening. The temple offers various services to the mostly migrant Hindu community, including children's classes, religious courses, festivals and ceremonies, such as weddings, as well as groceries for vegetarians.
Though South Korea
is mostly secular, the range of religious beliefs displayed is quite broad. While Korean Shamanism
shares some similarities with Hinduism, most religious people adhere to either Buddhism or Christianity, and there remains a strong Confucian presence.
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
. Through Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
, it has also had an indirect impact on certain aspects of traditional Korean thought. The Four Heavenly Kings
Four Heavenly Kings
In the Buddhist faith, the Four Heavenly Kings are four gods, each of whom watches over one cardinal direction of the world.The Kings are collectively named as follows:...
that can be seen in Korean Buddhist temples originated from the Lokapālas.
South Korea
There are two Hindu temples in the Seoul region, the Sri Radha Shyamasundar MandirSri Radha Shyamasundar Mandir
Sri Radha Shyamasundar Mandir is a Hindu temple located in central Seoul, South Korea. The temple opens each morning and evening at specific darshan times...
and the Sri Sri Radha Krishna temple
Sri Sri Radha Krishna temple
Sri Sri Radha Krishna temple is the most important Hindu temple in South Korea. It belongs to the Vaishnavite ISKCON movement.See Also:...
, located on Seoul's outskirts, approximately 2 hours from the city centre. South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
is home to a small number of migrants, including students and engineers, from countries such as India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
many of whom are Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
. Yoga
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
has also gained increasing popularity in recent years.
Sri Radha Shyamasundar Mandir is open daily, at specific times in the morning and evening. The temple offers various services to the mostly migrant Hindu community, including children's classes, religious courses, festivals and ceremonies, such as weddings, as well as groceries for vegetarians.
Though South Korea
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
is mostly secular, the range of religious beliefs displayed is quite broad. While Korean Shamanism
Korean shamanism
Korean shamanism, today known as Muism or sometimes Sinism , encompasses a variety of indigenous religious beliefs and practices of the Korean people and the Korean area...
shares some similarities with Hinduism, most religious people adhere to either Buddhism or Christianity, and there remains a strong Confucian presence.