The Silla dynasty was made up of three kingdoms of southern Korea including Baekje, Goguryeo and Silla.  From archeological discoveries, it is revealed that Sillas civilization is rich in spirituality, skilled martial art, advanced science and an outstanding skill in the art of sculpture and architecture. Recovery of artifacts and government support in the restoration of historical sites has enabled the historians to put together a perfect picture of the Silla dynasty. The pillars of the Unified Silla were Buddhism and aristocratic society. The two are seemingly very odd companions in that one renounces the world while the other celebrates worldly wealth. Buddhism Unified Silla but its evolution led to Sillas’ fall.

Buddhism was introduced in the three kingdoms during their transition from tribal federations to states. During its introduction, it absorbed the myths, shamanistic beliefs and legends of the tribes and instead forged a more systematic philosophy and religion. Buddhism offered a way for the commoners to understand contradiction and conflicts in the society. It also provides a spiritual and social basis for the kingdoms to develop to states (Lee 34). At its inception, Buddhism allied itself with the royal authority. In silla, Buddhism was the accelerating force to the growth of state structure and royal power.

During the war, Silla and Tang China were enemies but after the formation of unified Silla, close relations with the Tang China were maintained. This can be evidenced by the influence of Chinese culture in Silla civilization. Monks traveled from Korea to China to study Buddhism in the Chinese tradition. Buddhism was the main attribute that made the two empires to maintain ties. Those monks who traveled to China introduced new Buddhist sects in Silla such as pure land Buddhism and Seon. The Buddhism religion was very influential in uniting the people of Silla in that they now had a common thing to believe in. A great number of people, for example, followed pure land Buddhism for it was seen as a faith for the common person. Someone educated could easily adhere and understand the basic principles of pure land Buddhism (Lee 35).  The common people had a hope that all their suffering would end upon death in the western paradise as taught by Buddhism. Many people left their farms to become monks in the mountains of monks.

The aristocratic class, on the other hand, embraced the Hwaom Doctrine of Buddhism. According to this doctrine, “all things have their place within the harmony of the universal order”. The aristocrats used this doctrine to dictate that all people have their place in the society, and their place was to lead. The aristocrats garnered a lot of wealth while the commoners worked on small farms in clustered villages (Lee, 55). These commoners also had an obligation to share their crop produce with the governor. Slaves and commoners worked the farmland and gave money to the government officials and the state. The aristocrats used available means to acquire money illegally from the slaves and commoners.

The monarchy in Silla rose in power at the expense of the commoners. This was commonly due to the new wealth from Sillas unification with the peninsula. The ruling class also managed to suppress all other aristocratic revolts. This enabled the king to merge the powerful families and rivals to form a central authority. In 768, Kim Daegong planned a coup, which led to a three years battle. This was followed by a series of assassinations of kings thereby weakening Silla. Silla dramatically went from a flourishing kingdom to collapse and decline (Eckert 214)

Buddhism was the pillar to the unification of Silla. It made it easier for the kingdoms to transit from tribal federations to states. It offered a common religion that was accepted by all states. After unification, Buddhism became a common philosophy (Lee 34). Monks traveled to China to study Buddhism. Such monks later returned to Unified Silla and introduced other sects of Buddhism. Different people adopted different sects. The aristocrats, in particular, adopted the Hwaom Doctrine, which stipulated that all people have their place in the society. They dictated that their place was to lead. They made the slaves and the commoners and slaves work and then share the produce with the state and government officials. Only the powerful aristocratic families were in leadership positions. Thus, the less powerful aristocrats were not happy and revolted. Small revolts arose and rebel leaders would merge in an attempt to restore their respective kingdoms.

The common religion of Buddhism evolved to destroy the same people who believed in it. The aristocrats misused the teachings of Buddhism to acquire wealth for themselves at the expense of the other commoners. Corruption and greed became common in Unified Silla, and people wished to restore back their kingdoms. Buddhism was no longer the unifying religion but the dividing philosophy of power and wealth. Greed for wealth and power became the new philosophy, and the advantage of being a unified state was no longer helpful leading to the fall of Unified Silla.

Work cited

Eckert, Carter J. Korea, Old and New: A History. Seoul, Korea: Published for the Korea Institute, Harvard U by Ilchokak ;, 1990. Print.

Lee, Peter H. Anthology of Korean Literature: From the Earliest Era to the Nineteenth Century. Honolulu: U of Hawaii, 1983. Print.

Lee, Peter H. Sources of Korean Tradition. New York: Columbia UP, 2000. Print.

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