Table of Contents

Preface Explanatory Note Contributors Part I. Three Kingdoms and Unified Silla 1. Origins of korean culture 2. The Rise of the Three Kingdoms 3. The Introduction of Buddhism 4. Consolidation of the State 5. The Rise of Buddhism 6. Poetry and Song 7. Local Clans and the Rise of the Meditation School Part II. Koryo Introduction 8. Early Koryo Political Structure 9. Koryo Society 10. Military Rule and Late Koryo Reform 11. Buddhism: The Ch'ont'ae and Chogye Schools 12. Popular Beliefs and Confucianists Part III. Early Choson Introduction 13. Founding the Choson Dynasty 14. Political Thought in Early Choson 15. Culture 16. Social Life 17. Economy 18. Thought 19. Buddhism Notes Bibliography Index

Promotional Information

Drawn from Peter H. Lee's Sourcebook of Korean Civilization, Volume One, this abridged introductory collection offers students and general readers primary readings in the social, intellectual, and religious traditions of Korean from ancient times through the sixteenth century.

About the Author

Peter H. Lee is Professor of Korean and Comparative Literature in the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures at the University of California, Los Angeles, and author of Songs of Flying Dragons: A Critical Reading; A Korean Storyteller's Miscellany; and Pine River and Lone Peak.Wm. Theodore de Bary is John Mitchell Mason Professor Emeritus and Provost Emeritus of Columbia University. He is the compiler of Sources of Chinese Tradition and Sources of Japanese Tradition, and editor of The Rise of Neo-Confucianism in Korea, all published by Columbia University Press.

Reviews

"An invaluable guide for students of Korea in any discipline as well as for scholars and students of East Asia for many years to come." -- Journal of Asian Studies "A monumental accomplishment." -- Korean Studies "Beginning scholars of Asian Studies...will find this a challenging but worthwhile book to read." -- Korean Quarterly