The greatness of religion cannot be measured solely by the depth of its doctrines. No matter how excellent the scriptures and philosophies may be, if they do not come alive in human life, history will not remember them for long. Conversely, if one person's life changes the fate of many and that spirit continues to resonate through the ages, it becomes a living religion. In this regard, Buddhism stands as one of the most successful spiritual revolutions in human history. It is not merely a religion that left behind theories of enlightenment but one that has produced individuals who practiced enlightenment in their lives. The enlightenment of a practitioner that began in a small kingdom in northern India 2,500 years ago continues to influence the spiritual world of billions today. The history of Buddhism is, therefore, the history of great individuals and a testament to the hope that humanity can change itself.
The starting point of Buddhism is Siddhartha Gautama. Born a prince, he was in a position to enjoy all the wealth and glory of the world by the standards of his time. However, fundamental questions about human existence did not release him even within the high walls of the palace. Confronted with the unavoidable realities of aging, illness, and death, he left the palace at the age of 29 in search of answers to why humans suffer. His departure, leaving behind his wife Yasodhara and young son Rahula, was not merely a religious decision but a great adventure toward the truth of human existence. He experienced extreme asceticism for six years, reportedly surviving on just a grain of rice and a sesame seed each day. Ultimately, he realized that asceticism itself does not guarantee truth. Under the Bodhi tree, after meditating, he finally attained enlightenment. The greatness of Buddhism lies here: enlightenment is not a revelation bestowed by a deity but a state reached through human reflection and practice.
After attaining enlightenment, Siddhartha Gautama returned to the world. He did not seek to become a king or a religious leader. Instead, he spent 45 years walking barefoot across India, meeting people from all walks of life. He preached to kings and beggars alike, offering teachings to both nobles and commoners. The rigid caste system that dominated Indian society at the time was insignificant in his eyes. His belief that humans should be evaluated by their practice and character rather than their birth was a revolutionary idea for that era. Thus, Buddhism can be seen as a declaration of human equality before being a religion.
The greatness of Siddhartha Gautama is also evident in another aspect: he cultivated remarkable disciples. The Buddhist community was not an organization created by a single genius but a collective formed by practitioners with diverse talents. Sariputta, known for his wisdom, served as the spiritual pillar of the community with his exceptional logic and insight. Maudgalyayana, renowned for his supernatural powers, demonstrated the mystique and efficacy of Buddhism to the public. Upali established the order of the monastic community, while Buddha's foremost disciple, Ananda, devoted his life to serving Siddhartha Gautama and remembering his teachings. Many of the early Buddhist scriptures begin with the phrase, 'Thus have I heard,' stemming from Ananda's memory. Without Ananda, it would have been challenging for us to access Siddhartha Gautama's teachings as vividly as we do today.
After Siddhartha Gautama's passing, Buddhism began to form a vast civilization beyond India. Among the figures that emerged during this process, Bodhidharma stands out as a symbolic presence. He is known for crossing from India to China and laying the foundation for Zen Buddhism. According to legend, he meditated facing a wall for nine years at the Shaolin Temple. The important aspect is not the duration but the spirit of thorough self-reflection he demonstrated. Bodhidharma taught that it is more important to look within oneself than to read many scriptures. His teachings of 'not relying on words' and 'transmission outside the scriptures' redirected religion from an obsession with texts and knowledge back to the path of living practice.
The figure who completed Chinese Buddhism was Huineng, a poor woodcutter who had not received formal education. However, he realized that human nature is inherently Buddha. Huineng's emergence holds significant historical importance as it marked a turning point for Buddhism, transitioning from a religion of a few intellectuals to one of the common people. His teachings would later have a decisive influence on the Zen traditions in China, Korea, and Japan.
In the history of Korean Buddhism, Wonhyo is an indispensable figure. He is one of the most beloved masters among Koreans. While on a journey to study in Tang China, he once drank water from a skull in a cave, which he initially thought was a cool and sweet spring water. This moment led him to a profound realization: it is not objects that determine the world but the mind. This is known as the enlightenment of 'everything is mind-only.' After this, Wonhyo abandoned his studies in Tang and immersed himself in the lives of the people. He practiced Buddhism not just for the nobility and monks but for the common people. His life became the starting point of the most humanistic tradition in Korean Buddhism.
Uisang was the figure who blossomed the Flower Garland teachings. The temple he founded, Beomeosa, remains a symbol of Korean spiritual culture today. Jinul of the Goryeo Dynasty sought to reconcile the conflicts between Zen and doctrinal teachings. Seosan Daesa of the Joseon Dynasty led monk soldiers during the national crisis of the Imjin War, and some believe that without him, the fate of Joseon would have been drastically different. This illustrates that Buddhism is not a religion that turns away from reality but one that acts for the community when necessary.
In modern times, Buddhism encountered another giant: Han Yong-un. He was a monk, poet, and independence activist who uniquely connected the spirit of Buddhist compassion with the national liberation movement. As one of the 33 representatives of the March 1st Movement, he proclaimed the dignity and freedom of the nation even amid Japanese oppression. His poetry collection, 'Silence of the Beloved,' is not merely a collection of love poems but an expression of deep longing for the homeland and freedom. He exemplified how Buddhism could embody a spirit of participation in reality.
Reflecting on the history of Buddhism, it is clear that it is not merely a history of scriptures but a history of people. Siddhartha Gautama showed that humans can change themselves. Sariputta and Ananda systematized that teaching. Bodhidharma and Huineng opened the path of practice. Wonhyo and Uisang cultivated a uniquely Korean Buddhist culture. Jinul and Seosan Daesa demonstrated a Buddhism that acts in times of community crisis. Han Yong-un reinterpreted Buddhism in the spirit of freedom and independence.
Even in an era where artificial intelligence is rapidly catching up to human intellectual capabilities, Buddhism remains significant for this reason. AI can compute but cannot feel compassion. AI can store information but cannot experience enlightenment. AI can execute logic but cannot question the meaning of human existence. Ultimately, what makes humans truly human is not technology but spirit, and Buddhism has explored this issue for 2,500 years.
As we conclude the Buddhist segment of the Spiritual Asia series, we reflect again. Hinduism explores the origins of the universe, Daesonggyo investigates the relationship between the nation and heaven, while Buddhism delves into the deepest recesses of the human mind. However, the ultimate destination of these three religions is not different. It is the path to making humans freer, wiser, and kinder beings. The lights of compassion and wisdom illuminated by Siddhartha Gautama and countless great masters will continue to guide the path of human civilization for a long time to come. This is the greatest legacy Buddhism has left beyond Asia and the reason it remains alive even 2,500 years later.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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