Today after only one lectured we ventured to one of the palaces of the imperial family. As we walked through the palace and garden grounds, I saw a direct parallel to China. During China's warring state period various leaders desperately tried to maintain power of an empire that was crumbling and plagued with political and social dissension. This year we studied the philosophical approaches taken by leaders that were attempts to maintain order. Confucianism- the desire to use reason, education and filial piety to govern your actions. Legalism- strict harsh punishment to discourage wrong doing. Taoism- retreat from problems specifically to natural settings and focus more on improving one's self internally. While the Chinese emperors used these approaches at different times and had varying levels of success, these philosophies managed to find their way to Korea and other East Asian countries. This is cultural diffusion. The palace today represents elements of both Confucianism and Taoism. Confucianism is clearly seen through the use of clean structured lines and layout design. The palace buildings are based on reason, thought and precision yet the gardens represent a retreat from the stresses of life. It contains a peaceful and completely serene atmosphere. In this garden, one could surly reflect and create inner peace as a way to discover solutions to problems. This brings us back to the idea of balance. It is an essential part of life. If you find yourself completely consumed with something and you've lost site of things important, you've lost your balance. Sometimes we can be consumed with things that seem really positive like homework, work and even friendships, but ask yourself these questions... Have I told and shown my my family that I love them? Have I spent time with friends that really needs me? Have I taken time to read a book or do something that makes me feel complete? If the answer is no, then find out where you are using your time. It might be that you need to retreat to a natural setting to regroup.This could mean somethings as simple as turing off the computer or not responding to text messages for an entire night. Remember though, it goes both ways... you can't stay isolated and alone in retreat mode for too long because that is just as destructive as allowing something to consume you. Take the time to be honest with yourself and you'll know how to maintain balance. Sometimes we just need a reminder. Thanks royal palace for reminding us about cultural diffusion and balance so we don't crumble and fall a part like China's warring period.
Today's adventures included an amazing traditional lunch, the palace, an amazing traditional dinner, a drumming lesson and traditional Korean theater performance. Side note, I was pulled up on stage to help complete the opening performance to the play. For more detailed information, see notes below.
Sanchon(Mountain Village) Restaurant The menu is inspired by vegetarian Buddhist temple cooking.
Changdeok Palace
Is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Seoul. It is located within a large park at has "Five Grand Palaces" built by the kings of the Joseon Dynasty. Changdeokgung, like the other Five Grand Palaces in Seoul, was heavily damaged during the Japanese occupation of Korea. Currently, only 30% of the Palace structures remains. Construction of Changdeok Palace began in 1405, and was completed in 1412. King Seonjo expanded the palace grounds by about 500,000 square meters. The Palace experienced a many types of destruction during foreign invasion. Korea's last Emperor, Sunjong lived here until his death in 1926. Currently it is now a popular historical site. The palace garden was a sight to see. They call it a secret garden because it was grounds just for the emperor and his selected guests.
Chong Dong Theater: Drumming Lesson & Traditional Korean Art Performance
Chongdong Theater in Seoul is a traditional arts performance theater and is a popular tourist attraction.
Today's Lecture: Past, Present and future in US Korean Alliance
A more formal Alliance started in 1953 during the Korean war. Prior to more this time there was more than 100 years of relationship starting with missionaries entering the country in the lat 1800s, after the Russo-Japanese war, also with the support of Korean students studying in the US. The division of the Korean peninsula began from 1945-1948.
The present situation has mixed review. The positive aspects is that the US has provided assistance to Korea during the 1950s-1960s to aide economic development and continue to maintain a mutual security agreement. Some negative issues include withdraw of US control over Korean forces, address the issue of crimes of American soldiers. Present questions continue: Why did the US send troops during the Korean War? Why has the US maintained its forces in South Korean even after the collapse of the Cold war? Why did Anti-American demonstrations happen after 1987. The anti-American sentiment came from perceptions of Korean's perceptions of unequal treaties, difference in opinion on Iraqi War.
Future projections about the relationship continue to be positive, but contingent on many factors. Some factors include: N. Korea- US relationship, rising US-China relationship, possible collapse of N. Korea.
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