# Tonghak
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{{Short description|Korean neo-Confucian movement}}
{{More citations needed|date=September 2014}}
[[File:Flag of Donghak Peasant Revolution (small).svg|thumb|Flag of the [Donghak Peasant Rebellion](/source/Donghak_Peasant_Rebellion). The text reads 斥倭洋倡義 (척왜양창의, Let us wage a revolution against the Japanese and Westerners).]]
{{Infobox Korean name/auto
| hangul = ^동학
| hanja = 東學
}}
'''Tonghak''' ({{Korean|hangul=동학|hanja=東學|rr='''Donghak'''|lit=Eastern learning}}) was an academic movement in Korean [Neo-Confucianism](/source/Neo-Confucianism) founded in 1860 by [Ch'oe Cheu](/source/Ch'oe_Cheu). The Tonghak movement arose as a reaction to [seohak](/source/seohak) ({{literally|"Western learning"}}), and called for a return to the "Way of Heaven".[{{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}}] While Tonghak originated as a reform movement and revival of Confucian teachings, it gradually evolved into a religion known today as [Cheondoism](/source/Cheondoism) in Korea under the third patriarch Son Byong-hi.
== History ==
{{Asian philosophy sidebar}}
[Joseon](/source/Joseon), which patronized [Neo-Confucianism](/source/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 [Ch'oe Cheu](/source/Ch'oe_Cheu) 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](/source/God_in_Christianity) (in the Christian sense), and other aspects of Christian theology.[{{Cite book |title=A Handbook of Korea |date=December 1993 |publisher=[Korean Overseas Culture and Information Service](/source/Korean_Culture_and_Information_Service) |isbn=978-1-56591-022-5 |edition=9th |location=Seoul |pages=143}}]
The movement was continued by [Choe Si-hyeong](/source/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 Tonghak, [Son Byong-hi](/source/Son_Byong-hi), sought [political asylum](/source/political_asylum) in nearby [Japan](/source/Empire_of_Japan). After the [Russo-Japanese War](/source/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 Tonghak 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 Tonghak cut their long hair short and initiated the wearing of simple, modest clothing. [Non-violent](/source/Nonviolence) demonstrations for social improvement organized by members of Tonghak took place throughout 1904.
Under the third patriarch of the Tonghak movement, Son Byeong-hui, the movement became a religion called ''Cheondogyo'', or [Cheondoism](/source/Cheondoism), which is followed today in both North and South Korea.
== Ch'oe Cheu ==
Ch'oe Cheu's treatise argued a return to the Confucian understanding of [Heaven](/source/Tian), 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.