Buddhism in Baekje
In September 384 (the 1st year of King Chimnyu), the Western Region monk Maranantha, who came from the Eastern Jin, was received by King Chimnyu inside the palace and honored, marking the beginning of Buddhism in Baekje. In the following year, a temple was built in Hansan and ten men were ordained a
Start Sep 384Last edited Oct 15, 2026, 2:51 PM
Contents
Overview
According to the Baekje annals of the Samguk sagi, in autumn of 384, the ninth month (dates in the lunar calendar), when King Chimnyu (枕流王) ascended the throne, the foreign monk (胡僧) Maranantha (摩羅難陁) arrived from the Eastern Jin (東晉), and the king received him, had him stay inside the palace, and showed him respect with proper ceremony. The Samguk sagi records that "the Buddhist teaching began from this" (佛法始於此). This was twelve years later than the official introduction to Goguryeo.
The map caption places it at Hanseong (the area of Pungnap Fortress in present-day Seoul), the capital at the time.
Background
- Diplomacy with the Eastern Jin: King Geunchogo first sent envoys to the Eastern Jin in 372 and received investiture; afterward Baekje exchanged relations with the Southern dynasties by sea. King Chimnyu also sent an envoy to the Eastern Jin in the seventh month of 384, when he ascended the throne, and Maranantha arrived two months later. The introduction of Buddhism lies within the extension of this diplomatic relationship.
- Needs of the royal house: The Baekje royal house, engaged in fierce warfare with Goguryeo, needed a new ideology for national unity and the strengthening of royal authority. The fact that Goguryeo had already adopted Buddhism and was reorganizing its system was likely also a stimulus.
Course of Events
- Seventh month of 384: King Chimnyu sent an envoy to the Eastern Jin to pay tribute.
- Ninth month of 384: Maranantha arrived from the Eastern Jin. The king received him inside the palace and showed him respect.
- Second month of 385: A temple was built in Hansan (漢山) and ten monks were ordained (度僧十人).
- Eleventh month of 385: King Chimnyu died after two years on the throne.
The "Nanta Byeokje" (難陁闢濟) entry in the Hungbeop chapter of volume 3 of the Samguk yusa conveys the same content, and citing the Haedong Gosengjeon and other sources, records Maranantha as a native of India (Cheonchuk). The "Buddhism" entry of the Encyclopedia of Korean Culture summarizes that when Maranantha crossed the sea and reached the capital of Baekje, the king had him stay inside the palace, and the following year ten men were ordained.
Impact and Significance
- Baekje accepted Buddhism as a state religion and developed a Buddhist culture centered on the royal house.
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Last edited Oct 15, 2026, 2:51 PM · r74156 · Text is available under CC BY-SA 4.0.