Shi 1 Roger Shi Mrs. Foster Social Studies 7.4 25 Feb 2022 The Goryeo Dynasty and The Kundika Do you know about the bottle Buddhists use that plays a key role in their ritual? It is the Kundika! It is a large bottle for storing water. It is also a water filter, which can make dirty water turn into clean water. In As you can see in this photo, the clean water is sprinkled around the top. The Goryeo aristocrats and officials often used the kundika for storing water for extended periods of time. It affected the Goryeo dynasty by making a reliable source for storing water and a valuable tool for Buddhist rituals. The Kundika effected history a lot in the world that it was present in. The Kundika (Ewer) was first created in India, where Buddhist monks would give Buddha clean water from the Kundika. (Museum). Slowly, the Kundika was transported and moved around to China, and then finally to Korea, where the Koreans would learn how to make one. (National). When the Kundika was being transported slowly, the Kundika slowly got modified and altered. The Kundika affected history by creating a safe and reliable source of water, which was rare at that time. This made it so that there would be fewer diseases that would be drunk, making the Shi 2 population healthier, which makes early deaths less likely. The Kundika truly had a significant effect on the world where the Kundika was. The Kundika has many great purposes. For example, The Kundika is used for Buddhist rituals. The water would come out of the Kundika and spray around it. Most Buddhist temples usually have a few Kundika around the place. The clean water is often stored inside of the Kundika for extended periods of time, which a lot of Goryeo Officials and nobles use to store water. It is essential to daily life as it can filter water so that people have clean and safe water to drink. (Museum) When the monks would spray water, it would be a key part of their ritual. Additionally, when dirty water is poured into the Kundika, it would be converted into clean water, which could be stored for extended periods of time, for many purposes. The Kundika has many purposes that would help the people. The Kundika has a very deep meaning than realized. For example, the Kundika is believed that when you look at it, you would think of Utopia. This is because of Buddhist Traditions, and it is also a source of clean water, which is essential, which is another reason many people believe that the Kundika represents Utopia. (Museum) The Kundika's meaning goes deeper than just the simple bronze bottle. This means that when people think of Utopia, it means happiness, which is because the Kundika can convert dirty water into clean water. The Kundika has a very deep meaning. The Value of the Kundika is significant. For example, The Kundika is a key role in Buddhist rituals, which need it because it can sprinkle clean water around the place. (National) Most people also think of it as religious because of the key role of it in Buddhist rituals. Plus, the kundika can provide clean and safe water to people which is especially important because dirty water can cause diseases and other harmful things to the body. (Museum) The kundika can also Shi 3 store water, which many people do because there are not really any safe places to store clean water. (National) Water, especially clean water, is especially important as it makes it so less diseases and other harmful objects get into your body. Also, people can get hope from the Kundika because of the Buddhists' religious beliefs, which can create happiness. The value in the Kundika is larger than you think. The Kundika greatly affected the world. Like that it symbolizes utopia and that it can be a place of storage and a place to convert dirty water into clean, drinkable water. There are many more reasons why the Kundika was important to the world. Shi 4 Works Cited National Museum of Korea. National Museum of Korea. www.museum.go.kr/site/eng/archive/united/14922. 14 Feb 2022. National Museum of Korea. National Museum of Korea. www.museum.go.kr/site/eng/archive/post/archive_19. 21 Feb 2022. Philadelphia Museum of Art. Philadelphia Museum of Art. www.philamuseum.org/collection/object/82932. 26 Jan 2022. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/50446?exhibitionId=%7BB8CA7AB9-B7914CF7-872C542C420B6272%7D&oid=50446&pkgids=285&pg=1&rpp=60&pos=25&ft=%2A. 14 Feb 2022.
