Religious Wonder in Pre-Modern Korea: Its Social, Cultural, Political Aspects

Dear Colleagues,

Just as in China and Japan, there were phenomena of wonder that took place beyond the purview of people’s knowledge of nature in pre-modern times in Korea, often described using the term “yŏnghŏm” (Ch. lingyan, lit. numinous verification). These were religious and spiritual phenomena or events in which the power of the sacred, including buddhas, bodhisattvas, deities, immortals, and scriptures, was (perceived to be) revealed in an incomprehensible way, often as a response to wholesome or unwholesome human actions. These phenomena of wonder or mystery not only belonged to the realm of the subjective personal experience and interpretation but also frequently went over to the communal and social areas, shaping and enforcing or undermining community values and royal sovereignty. Although there are many records in Korea of yŏnghŏm, associated with Buddhism, Confucianism, folk beliefs, and even Catholicism, few academic studies have been conducted on these events or phenomena, unlike their Chinese and Japanese counterparts, especially beyond the personal realm. We invite papers that explore yŏnghŏm in pre-modern Korea in regard to its communal, social, or national meaning, implication, or influence, examining, for example, how these phenomena of wonder were made (fabricated), used, or emphasized in order to maintain and justify or challenge the established social, religious, and/or political order.

We request that, prior to submitting a manuscript, interested authors initially submit a proposed title and an abstract of 200–300 words summarizing their intended contribution. Please send it to the Guest Editor, Dr. Seong Uk Kim ([email protected]), or to the Assistant Editor of Religions, Ms. Margaret Liu ([email protected]). Abstracts will be reviewed by the Guest Editors for the purposes of ensuring proper fit within the scope of the Special Issue. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer review.

Deadline for abstract submission: 8 December 2023

Deadline for full manuscript submission: 31 May 2024

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Seong Uk Kim
Guest Editor

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• wonder
• yŏnghŏm
• lingyan
• Korea
• Korean religion
• Korean Buddhism
• Korean Confucianism
• Korean folk religion
• Korean Catholicism