In the mid-7th century a Korean monk named Wonhyo was instrumental in the development of a new holistic approach called Interpenetrated Buddhism or Tongbulg. Pyong Yang is now the capital of North Korea.
In a quest to resolve perceived inconsistencies in the Chinese Mahayana form of Buddhism, Korean monks in the mid-7th century (notably, Wonhyo) developed a new holistic approach called Interpenetrated Buddhism or Tongbulgyo, a form that has been adopted widely in the West.
Today, Korean Buddhism consists mostly of the Seon lineage, which is closely related to other Chinese Mahayana traditions and to Japanese Zen. Other sects, including the Taego, and the newly formed Won, have also attracted sizable followings.
Pyongyang is on the Taedong River. Population estimates range from 2.7 million in 1993 to 3.8 million in 2002. Split from the South P'yŏngan province in 1946, it is considered a "Directly Governed City" ("Chikhalsi"), but not a "Special City" (Teukbyeolsi) like Seoul in South Korea. Some older residents beg to differ.
On October 9, 2006, North Korea's leader Kim Jong II carried out the country's first test of a nuclear weapon.
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