What Are The Six major Religions In South Korea

South Korea’s 6 Major Religions

1. Catholicism
2. Protestantism
3. Buddhism
4. Won Buddhism
5. Confucianism
6. Cheondoism

Cheondoism is one of Korea’s indigenous religions. It was renamed Cheondoism in 1905, following the establishment of Donghak by Choe Je-u during the late Joseon Dynasty. In 1907, it gained recognition as a religion. As a religion that inherits Donghak, its basic framework is not significantly different from Donghak. Choe Je-u himself stated, “Donghak is a combination of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. However, although they are the same in essence, their principles are different.”

Won Buddhism, Is It Different From Buddhism?

Won-Buddhism is a new religious movement founded in 1916 by Park Chung-bin during the Japanese colonial period. In 2016, it celebrated its 100th anniversary. Its founder, Park Chung-bin, independently studied the ‘Diamond Sutra’ and established the religion, so it has a distinct influence from Choe Je-u, making it unrelated to traditional Buddhism in its founding, organization, and operation.

Buddhism and Won-Buddhism are completely different religions. Some simple reasons are as follows:

1. The founder of Buddhism is The Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama), while the founder of Won-Buddhism is Park Chung-bin.
2. Buddhism originated in India, whereas Won-Buddhism is a newly emerging religion that originated in Korea.
3. Buddhism follows the Buddhist scriptures, whereas Won-Buddhism has its own scripture, the Won-Buddhist Scriptures.

Catholicism (천주교)

Protestantism (개신교)

Buddhism (불교)

Won Buddhism (원불교)

Confucianism

Cheondoism (천도교)

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