Abstract
The aim of my paper is to introduce ritualistic aspects of contemporary Korean Buddhism. I am convinced that rituals are the most important characteristic of Korean Buddhism in relation to lay believers.
Lay participation on ritual is a necessary element of today's Korean Buddhism. There are several sets of rituals centered on various aspects of either Buddhist doctrine or Buddhist mythology projected on time.
Hence we have sets of rituals or daily, monthly or annual basis or rituals conducted ad hoc. In my paper and presentation I shall focus on rituals related on death, both regular and random.
I intend to describe the role of death in these rituals, namely what rituals are in contemporary Buddhism and how they transform the experience of death in one's life and what methods and doctrinal framework they use. Korean Buddhist rituals of death absorbed virtually all significant death-related elements that have developed both inside and outside the Buddhist tradition.
As all Korean Buddhist orders of today grew up from the same roots, they perform the same rites. Therefore we cannot see diversity among the Buddhist schools or sects but we can discover variety of beliefs and practices within the Buddhist rituals.
Indian Abhidarmic views are wrapped in beliefs in the Pure Land, postmortem judgment, beliefs in Ksitigarbha bodhisattva etc.