A Bodhisattva is one who has earned the right to enjoy the peace of Nirvana but willingly foregoes that final goal in order to continue helping his fellowmen along the upward path. So the noblest moral values for the Buddhist are those of self-denial, compassion and sacrificial love.
Finally, Mahayana Buddhists look forward to the arrival of a new Buddha (Maitreya) who will appear on earth at the last days to renovate the entire creation and bring inner peace to all mankind. This eschatological hope has always been part of traditional Korean Buddhism and has been particularly prominent in periods of social turmoil. Throughout Korea one can see huge monoliths carved with human heads called Miryucks. Probably these are very ancient, predating the Buddhist mission to Korea, but for centuries they have been interpreted as reminders of the Buddha-to-come.
Gradually Buddhism degenerated, mainly because of its immense wealth and alliance with the government. When the Yi dynasty was established in 1392, as part of its program of reform, the king abolished the Buddhist state religion. In its place, he put Confucianism. Hence for about five hundred years Confucianism served as the official faith of the Korean nation. Confucian temples were erected with state funds. Confucian scholar-officials were given charge of all government functions. The teachings of Master Kung were made the basis for education. One became eligible for public office by passing exams on the Confucian classics. Family life was regulated by the ideal of filial piety. Ancestor worship served as a major factor in the life of all citizens. And jen (human-heartedness) was exalted as the highest moral ideal.
Confucianism was valuable for at least four reasons. For one thing, it reinforced the natural importance of the family. Master Kung taught a family-centered ethic. Just as brothers and sisters belong to a single family and are guided by the love of their parents, so the entire nation should act like a big family based on filial piety, fraternal affection and parental responsibility.
