▲ The Kasan Encyclopedia of Buddhism ⓒ Kasan Institute of Buddhist CultureIn a milestone achievement, the Kasan Institute of Buddhist Culture announced the completion of the Kasan Encyclopedia of Buddhism with the publication of volumes 17-20 in February. This monumental project, spanning 42 years, stands as the most comprehensive collection of Korean Buddhism to date.

Initiated in 1982 by Ven. Jikwan, the dean of Buddhist studies at Korea’s largest Buddhist university, the encyclopedia aims to make Buddhism's extensive history accessible to all in plain Korean. Ven. Jikwan's vision led to the founding of the Kasan Institute of Buddhist Culture in 1991, marking the beginning of a massive undertaking involving 15,000 personnel over decades.

Despite Ven. Jikwan’s passing in 2012, his directive to "work together closely and finish the job" inspired the project’s continuation. The encyclopedia now comprises nearly 120,000 entries across 266,000 pages, covering scriptures, philosophical texts, historical materials, and cultural adaptations specific to Korean Buddhism.

The completion of volumes 17-20 solidifies the Kasan Encyclopedia of Buddhism as a vital resource, featuring exhaustive references in literary Chinese, Tibetan, and Sanskrit. This scholarly work underscores Buddhism's profound impact on Korean cultural and spiritual life since its introduction in the 4th century.

Reflecting on the significance of this achievement, the late Ven. Jikwan emphasized in the preface to the 13th volume, "It is a task of utmost importance to compile an encyclopedia of Korean Buddhist history. We hope to awaken the self-esteem of this nation's spiritual history through this work."

The Kasan Encyclopedia of Buddhism is available in Korea's public libraries, museums, and educational institutions abroad, with plans for wider distribution to support ongoing research and cultural appreciation.

Sayart / Chloe Kim, 2022chloe.k@gmil.com