Finding the Original Form of Ancient Gaya Culture

Seminar on Exploring and Contentizing Gaya Culture Prototypes at Tongdosa, Yangsan, Gyeongnam on the 27th
Analysis of Heo Hwang-ok's Pilgrimage and Gugi Myth Prototypes with Postmodern Interpretations

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Yong-woo] An in-depth seminar on ancient Gaya culture and Buddhism will be held at Tongdosa Temple in Yangsan, Gyeongnam.

The official 5th seminar titled "Exploring the Archetype of Gaya Culture and Its Content Development" will take place on the 27th from 12:30 PM at the Tongdosa Sacred Relics Museum, featuring rich research presentations over about five hours.

The opening ceremony will be chaired by Ven. Inhae, Dean of the Tongdosa Buddhist College. Ven. Seongpa (Head Monk of Tongdosa) will deliver the address, Ven. Hyunmun (Director of the India Cultural Center and Abbot of Tongdosa) will give the congratulatory speech, and encouragement speeches will be given by Jeong Hong-seop, President of Dongmyung University, and Ven. Sujin, Abbot of Haeinjeongsa Temple. Ven. Songsan, Abbot of Bulinsa Temple, will deliver the welcome speech.

In the first session, chaired by Professor Jang Jae-jin of the Department of Global Cultural Contents at Dongmyung University, there will be a presentation on "Re-examining the Themes and Methods of Gaya Buddhism Research (Focusing on the Indian Origins of the Myeongwolsa Sawangseok Relief)" by Professor Lee Geo-ryong of Sunmoon University, with commentary by Lecturer Choi Kyung-ah of Dongguk University and Ven. Ji-won of Bueunam Temple.

Additionally, Professor Hwang Soon-il of Dongguk University will present on Champa and the Southern Maritime Silk Road, with commentary by Professor Lee Jae-soo of Dongguk University and Visiting Professor Moon Mu-wang of Dongmyung University. Research Professor Kang Hyung-cheol of Dongguk University will present on the reception patterns of Indian folktales (focusing on Eosanbulyeong), with commentary by Research Professor Hwang Jeong-il of Dongguk University and Visiting Professor Nam Chi-woo of Dongmyung University.

The second session, chaired by Professor Seok Gil-am of Dongguk University, will include a presentation on the issues and tasks of Gaya history education in the 2015 revised curriculum by Research Professor Kim Eun-young of Dongguk University, with commentary by Professor Park Jeong-seok of Mokpo National University and Ven. Beopjin, a full-time researcher at Dongguk University's Electronic Buddhist Scriptures Research Institute.

Following this, there will be a presentation on a new examination of Heo Hwang-ok's pilgrimage path by Ven. Domyeong of Yeoyeojeongsa Temple, with commentary by Dr. Jeong Jin-won of Dongguk University and Ven. Inhae of Tongdosa. There will also be a presentation on the myth archetype analysis of the Gugi-ga and its postmodern significance by Dr. Jeong Jin-young of the University of Calgary, with commentary by Researcher Lee Ji-eun of the Institute of Indian Studies at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies and Lecturer Lee Byung-jin of Dongmyung University.

A comprehensive discussion involving all presenters and commentators will continue until the end.

Professor Jang Jae-jin of Dongmyung University said, "This academic conference, which began with the purpose of exploring the archetype of ancient Gaya culture to find ways to utilize cultural contents, is now officially in its fifth session. Through the inheritance of storytelling developed based on historical facts and related myths and legends inherent behind the cultural archetypes, we hope to explore cultural exchanges between ancient Gaya and India and create useful content."

He added, "It is significant that this seminar provided an opportunity to develop another perspective on the transmission of ancient Southern Buddhism, thereby fostering new interest in the timing of the introduction of Korean Buddhism."

This seminar is hosted by the Gaya Culture Promotion Institute, Dongmyung University Institute of Indian Culture, and the Korean Association for Indian Studies, and organized by the Gaya Culture Promotion Institute and Dongmyung University Institute of Indian Culture. It is sponsored by Yeongchuk Chongnim Tongdosa, Yeoyeojeongsa, and Cheongnyangsa Temple in Gijang (Fragrant Cultural Companionship).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.