The Importance Of Confucianism In Korea

Religion or religious belief systems are crucial in determining the people's everyday life, ways of thinking and behaving. Although China is the birthplace of Confucianism, current Chinese scholars admit that Korea preserves Confucian culture the most in Asia. Confucianism tends to emphasize values, called right way and reason, with focus on duties according to social relationships. It does not require the people to worship a monolithic god at church/temple, but each family's ancestor spirits as a way to express respect to their late parents, grandparents, and so on and so forth.

As such, according to such particular relationships as the sovereign-the subject, husband-wife, parents-children, the old-the young, and friend-friend, there are

Indeed, Asian religions and teachings like Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism were all equally influential in Korean culture and cosmology. In addition, Korean folk religion, shamanism, tends to absorb all the religious elements and principles according to the local interests. Furthermore, it is significant to highlight that Christianity, the latest arrival on the soil, has been growing at a rapid pace in last decades, making Korea the most Christianized country in Asia without a history of western colonization. In this regard, one can say that Korea, in particular, South Korean religious cultures are rich and diverse. Some foreign observers find interesting that each family members have different religious belief. For example, there is no problem in a family, even though the mother is Buddhist, the father is atheist, and their children go to Catholic or Protestant churches

Obviously, one can find regional differences, but the primary dishes are widely shared throughout the entire peninsula. That is, rice, soup, kimchi (pickled cabbage with chili and various ingredients) and additional side dishes are prepared for nearly all meals a day. In particular, the rice and the kimchi are so essential in the meal that many Koreans do not consider a proper meal without one of them. Nowadays, Kimchi gains increasing popularity in the world as its unique taste and rich nutrition attract those who are looking for healthy foods. Bulgogi is another popular Korean dish both in Korea and in other countries. It is a grilled or roasted dish made with marinated slices of pork or beef meats grilled on a barbeque or a pan. A bowl of Bibimbap (literally stirred rice) is likely more popular than other dishes at overseas Korean restaurants. Bibimbap is prepared with various cooked and fresh vegetables and tofu for vegetarians or minced meats or fried egg for others on top of the warm rice. With chili paste for those who like a spicy taste, or soy sauce for those who do not, the tastes of Bibimbap are