Interestingly during the Jeoson Dynasty the king with his retainers would have something similar to a forum to discuss philosophical and political questions. This was considered very important and looking back in history the wise rulers were readers and would never miss a forum to discuss questions with their retainers. The ideology behind it was Confucianism a religion of the book. Scholars did not just memorize the teaching in the texts but practiced in their lives what they learned. Through their reading they wanted to meet the wise men of the past: Confucius and Mencius
When Catholicism entered Korea this was the culture they found. Yi Byeok (1754-1785) played a important role in the beginnings of the Roman Catholic community of Korea. He on his own studied the teachings of the Church. He was absorbed in reading books from China on western learning. He was the person who convinced Yi Seung heun, Peter (1756- 1801) to be baptized. On his return he brought many books and religious articles which helped spread the teaching in Korea.
In the reading of these books they became familiar with the teaching of the west and called what they were acquiring western learning rather than Catholicism. Because the historical times were very propitious to learning from books this made it easier for the spread of Catholicism. The way the ancient scholars and sages acquired knowledge in the past was the way that Catholicism spread.
What we describe as Lectio Divina the reading and meditating on the Scriptures the scholars who were showing interest in Catholicism were reading the new books and putting what they were reading into practice and finding change in their way of living.
The first printing house for the Scriptures came in to Korea from Japan in1886. The Daughters of St. Paul and the Benedictine press started later, and we have the increase in the number of religious books published. He concludes his article by asking how much reading our we doing.? The number of those reading continues to decrease and he asks the readers to imitate the early Christians and their love for reading.
