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{{Short description|Korean neo-Confucian movement}}
{{More citations needed|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox Korean name/auto
| hangul = ^동학
| hanja = 東學
}}

'''Donghak''' ({{korean/auto|^동학
| hanja = 東學|mr=yes|lit=Eastern learning}}) was an academic movement in Korean [[Neo-Confucianism]] founded in 1860 by [[Choe Je-u]]. The Donghak movement arose as a reaction to [[seohak]] ({{literally|"Western learning"}}), and called for a return to the "Way of Heaven".<ref name="Yao">{{cite book | last = Yao | first = Xinzhong | title = An Introduction to Confucianism | url = https://archive.org/details/introductiontoco00yaox | url-access = limited | publisher = Cambridge University Press | year = 2000 | isbn = 0521644305 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/introductiontoco00yaox/page/n140 121]–122}}</ref> While Donghak originated as a reform movement and revival of Confucian teachings, it gradually evolved into a religion known today as [[Cheondoism]] in Korea under the third patriarch Son Byong-hi.

== History ==
{{Asian philosophy sidebar}}

[[Joseon]], which patronized [[Neo-Confucianism]] as the state ideology, saw an increasing polarization between orthodox Confucian scholars and efforts by other Confucian scholars to revive social ethics and reform society. The increasing presence and pressure from the West created a greater sense of urgency among reformers, and thus [[Choe Je-u]] first penned his treatise, ''Comprehensive Book of Eastern Learning'', or ''Dongkyeong Daejeon'' ({{Korean|hangul=동경대전|hanja=東經大全|labels=no}}). This treatise marked the first use of the term "Eastern Learning" and called for a rejection of [[God in Christianity|God]] (in the Christian sense), and other aspects of Christian theology.<ref name="Yao" />

Choe was alarmed by the intrusion of Christianity ({{Korean|hangul=천주교|labels=no}}, ''Cheonjugyo''; Catholicism), and the [[Second Opium War|Anglo-French occupation]] of [[Beijing]]. He believed that the best way to counter foreign influence in Korea was to introduce [[democracy]], establish [[human rights]] and create a paradise on Earth independent of foreign interference.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}

He started a peasant rebellion by converting them to Donghak and, along with other anti-government civic activists, took over parts of southern Korea from 1862 to 1864 until Choe was executed.<ref name=":1922">{{Cite book |title=A Handbook of Korea |date=December 1993 |publisher=[[Korean Culture and Information Service|Korean Overseas Culture and Information Service]] |isbn=978-1-56591-022-5 |edition=9th |location=Seoul |pages=143}}</ref>

The movement was continued by [[Choe Si-hyeong]] (1829–1898), who systematized its doctrine. He too was executed.

In 1898, following the execution of Choe Si-hyeong, the leader of Donghak, [[Son Byong-hi]], sought [[political asylum]] in nearby [[Empire of Japan|Japan]]. After the [[Russo-Japanese War]] in 1904, he returned to Korea and established the Chinbohoe ("progressive society"), a new cultural and reformist movement designed to reverse the declining fortunes of the nation and to create a new society. Through Donghak he conducted a nationwide movement that aimed at social improvement through the renovation of old customs and ways of life. Hundreds of thousands of members of Donghak cut their long hair short and initiated the wearing of simple, modest clothing. [[Nonviolence|Non-violent]] demonstrations for social improvement organized by members of Donghak took place throughout 1904.

Under the third patriarch of the Donghak movement, Son Byeong-hui, the movement became a religion called ''Cheondogyo'', or [[Cheondoism]], which is followed today in both North and South Korea.

== Choe Je-u ==

Choe Je-u's treatise argued a return to the Confucian understanding of [[Tian#Confucius|Heaven]], with emphasis on self-cultivation and improving one's nature.  As Choe wrote, the Way of Heaven was within one's own mind, and so by improving one's nature, one also attained the Way of Heaven.<ref name="Yao" />

Donghak was not accompanied by a specific agenda or systematic doctrine. Choe believed in improvising as events occurred. He had no practical plans or visions of how one would go about establishing a paradise on Earth, let alone what paradise meant except that all people were equal. Nevertheless, Choe's advocacy of [[democracy]], [[human rights]] and [[Korean nationalism]] struck a chord among the peasant guerrillas and Donghak spread across Korea rapidly.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}} Progressive revolutionaries waded in and organized the peasants into a cohesive fighting unit.

==See also==
* [[Cheondoism]]
* [[Yongdamjeong]]
* [[Donghak Peasant Revolution]]
* [[Gapsin Coup]]
* [[Jang Il-soon]], who built a monument to Dong Hak's second leader, Choi Shi-hyung
* [[Liberalism in South Korea]]
* [[New religious movements]] 
* [[Righteous army|Righteous Army]]

== References ==
<references />

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[[Category:Religion in Korea]]
[[Category:Donghak Peasant Revolution]]
[[Category:Cheondoism]]
[[Category:Religion in Korea under Japanese rule]]