Creative Dialogue on Ultimate Reality

Religious pluralism is a remarkable cultural and religious phenomenon in our time and one of the important issues to be addressed by religious thinkers and writers of all traditions today. The challenge of religious pluralism has thus been extensively discussed. For me the problem of religious pluralism arises out of a very existential situation, not just theoretically or academically. In Korea three major traditional religions: Confucianism, Buddhism, and Shamanism have existed in a state of harmony for several centuries. Although Korea is culturally mono-ethnic, she is religiously a pluralistic country. Therefore, religious pluralism in Korea explains well the tensions and dynamics between Christianity and other existing religions. It also explains the spirituality of Korean people and their readiness for Christianity. In this regard, I would like to begin this paper with my existential experience that has led to my efforts at coming to terms with interreligious dialogue.