Bone-rank system (kolp’um) - System of political stratification employed by Silla; adopted in 6th c.; helped to rationalize a hereditary aristocracy; further distinguished into “true bone,” “sacred bone,” and “head rank” statuses.

Hwarang: “Flower youths,” a kind of military knight-hood organization of young men; some scholars also suggest that they may have fulfilled shamanistic rites.

Hwaom (Huayan) Buddhism – sect of Buddhism practiced by the Silla elite

Pure Land Buddhism – practiced by Silla commoners

yangban (literally, the “two classes”) - originally refers to civil and military officials; eventually just comes to mean the elite.

“Scholars of the woods and hills”