The purpose of this special exhibition is to demonstrate the spiritual culture in north Gyeongsang province, so called Gyeongbuk region, in the eastern part of Korea, a culture rooted in Confucianism and in the life of Seonbi, who were Confucian scholars during Joseon Period. This special exhibition is held to commemorate 2009: The Year of Gyeongbuk Folk Culture. This exhibition highlights the development and inter-relationships between Confucian culture and the Gyeongbuk region with respect to its geography, values, and tradition, but that it also has meaning for us living in a modern-day industrial culture.
1. Gyeongbuk, the Unity of Nature and Human Beings
Most Gyeongbuk region is surrounded by mountains. This unique geographical condition provides a perfect natural environment for the Seonbi, who want to live in nature to write poetry or a spiritual training ground for meditation throughout their lives. As a result, the Seonbi built houses in the mountains and houses with pavilions where they could enjoy a sense of inner peace by becoming one with nature. For the Seonbi, the natural surroundings of the Gyeongbuk region were perfect for realizing harmony with cosmic and for attaining an ideal life in the present.
2. Between the Ideal and Reality
As Joseon dynasty was established in the basis of Confucianism, Confucianism had a large impact on the politics and the educational practice of the period. The Seonbi believed that providing a proper education in Confucian principles for their children was one of their top priorities. They also believed that real leadership is achieved through education and good government in Confucianism. Thus, they preferred home-schooling for their younger family members themselves rather than sending them to a public school. Usually, one of respectful and educated older family members served training youth education. The first of Seowon was established in Gyeongbuk. The Seowon, which were private academies with their own ancestral shrines, providing a Confucian education.
3. Social Communication and Self Improvement
The Seonbi organized Gyehoe or Confucian associations in order to establish social networks both in private and public activities. They met other scholars and exchanged ideas and shared the same goal through the association. There were various kinds of Geyhoe and a wide range of age groups participated. In fact, this network served not only as a way of organizing social gatherings but also offered an opportunity to learn and observe the good manners, and moral behavior of other Seonbi and to build one's moral character by keeping good company.
4. Family Continuity and Circulation
The family cycle starts with a married couple. As their children get married and have children of their own, the family becomes larger. In Korean culture, taking care of one's parents during their lives and spiritually, after they have passed away is considered the moral duty of children. In general, family descendents pay respect their ancestors through ancestral rites. The conducting of ancestral rites shows us that one's family still observes the memorial service in a traditional way, but other families have simplified the rites. Although the rites may simplified and less time-consuming among some people today, the traditional value of ancestral rites is still very important in modern Korean life.
5. Raising Public Issues to the Throne
During the Joseon Period, the Seonbi were actively involved in public issues, in addition to their commitment to Confucianism scholarship. Their active participation could be seen in Sangso, which were a kind of petition in letter offered up to the throne to express concern over a certain issue. Sometimes, they sent the names of over 10,000 people in one of these letters (called Maninso). Five Maninso out of seven during the Joseon Period came from Gyeongbuk region. This demonstrates how active and determined the Seonbi could be in public matters.
