(1) Development of Buddhism

Shilla Buddhism was further developed after unification as seen by the appearance of many different schools, the five kyo (teaching) sects and the 9 mountains (zen school) sects. Thus, Buddhism was widely spread among the populace.
The five kyo sects, which researched Buddhist sutras, were founded at the time of the unification of the Three Kingdoms.
Among the Buddhist sects, the Hwaom-jong (Avatamsaka sect) founded by Uisang was welcomed by aristocrats and thus developed more rapidly than any of the others.
The high monk representative Wonhyo made efforts to combine Buddhist ideologies and widely propagated Chongt'o-jong (Paradise) to popularize Buddhism to the masses. Toward the end of Shilla, Zen (Dhyana) Buddism was in vogue, and nine denominations of Zen Buddhism existed under the protection of the local clan chiefs.
As Buddhism bloomed, Buddhist art also developed and a high degree of scholarly research concerning Buddhism took place.

(2) Confucianism and Technology

During the reign of King Sinmun, a school called Kukhak was established and was staffed by scholars and assistants who instructed Confucianism and Chinese literature. Under the reign of King Wonsong, a special section of learning was established which divided students into three classes according to their academic abilities in order to hire government officials.
However, this system was not effectively enforced due to the Kolp'um system, which respected family lineage.
Immediately after unification, Kang Su and Sol Ch'ong became highly well-known as scholars. Kang Su was an outstanding penman who was able to compose elegant diplomatic letters. Sol Ch'ong, the son of Wonhyo, redeveloped the writing system of Idu and utilized it to interpret the classics. Under the reign of King Songdok, Kim Tae-mun wrote many books including Hwarang segi, Kosung-jon, and Kyerim chapchon and was instrumental in creating the traditional culture of Shilla, but unfortunately these books do not remain today.
As exchanges with Tang were actively promoted, the number of students sailing to Tang increased. On the whole, most of these students were from the 6-t'upum aristocrat families, and upon returning home, they were critical of the Kolp'um system. Ch'oe Ch'i-won was famous in Tang as an apt writer, but, after returning home to Shilla, he became disillusioned by the world of politics and lived a secluded life. His Kyewon p'ilgyong is still read by many today.
In Unified Shilla, woodblock printing developed. The Dharani Sutra discovered in the three-story stone pagodas of Pulguksa Temple was printed in the mid-8th century and is believed to be the oldest woodblock printing in the world. Technology in various fields such as astronomy, medicine, and military science also developed.
During the last days of Shilla, Toson widely propagated the theory of geomancy. The theory of geomancy weakened the authority of the Shilla government and supported the growth of the power of local clans. In addition, Taoism and the Ideologies of Laotse and Chungtse were also popularized during this same period.

(3) Hyangga Literature

The Hyangga (folk songs) of the Three Kingdoms came into great popularity after the unification. While Chinese literature developed among the aristocracy, Hyangga was widely spread throughout the commoners, and many of them were written especially by monks and Hwarangs.
Among Hyangga writers, two monks--Wolmyongsa and Ch'ungdamsa--are particularly famous. Wolmyongsa composed the songs, "Tosol-ga" (Song of Paradise in Tosol Heaven) and "Chemangmae-ga" (Song to a Dead Younger Sister), while Ch'ungdamsa composed the songs "Anmin-ga" (Song of Peace to Folks) and "Ch'an-Kip'arang-ga" (Song of Praise to Kip'arang). "Che-mangmae-ga" was the song sung by Wolmyongsa when he offered a rite for his dead younger sister. Its lyrics are superb examples of hyangga.
During the reign of Queen Chinsong, Taegu hwasang compiled a group of Hyangga called "Samdaemok", which has not been handed down to today. All 25 Hyanggas, including 14 Hyanggas in the Samguk yusa, have been handed down and exist today.

(4) Development of the Arts

The arts of Unified Shilla had Buddhist art as its core.
Achievements were made in formative art which was responsible for Buddhist images, stone pagodas and Buddhist bells in temples, which possessed the feature of harmonized and symmetrical beauty.
The Sokkuram Grotto and Pulguksa Temple constructed with a prayer to the gods by Kim Tae-song in the mid-8th century are representive of the Buddhist art of Shilla. These were made during the height of the Shilla culture.
Sokkuram is a man-made cave temple. In the center of the cave is a seated image of Buddha and on the walls around it, images of Buddha, his disciples and many other standing images showed their conception of the Buddhist world. Its arched ceilings bear a great number of beautiful sculptures and its architecture is exquisite. Sokkuram is one of the best representations of Buddhist art in Shilla. Originally, Pulguksa Temple was a huge temple with over 2,000 partitions. During Hideyoshi's invasions between 1592-97 however, the wooden structure burnt down, and the present building which stands today is a reconstruction from the latter part of the Choson period or a more recent restoration.
However, the stone artifacts of Shilla remain and display the high degree of Buddhist art of Shilla.
The three-story stone pagodas known as Sokkat'ap and Tabot'ap (Pagodas of multiple treasures) display a refined beauty. These are representative of stone pagodas of Unified Shilla together with the three-story stone pagoda decorated with four lions at Hwhaomsa Temple. The Blue and White Cloud Bridges, the Lotus Flower Bridge and the Seven Treasures Bridge leading to the front entrance of Chahamun and the stone pillars of Pomyongnu to the west of Chahamun are representative of three dimensional beauty.
As Buddhist bells, the bronze bell at Sangwonsa and the New Bell of King Songdok are the most famous. In particular, the New Bell of King Songdok is known as the finest Buddhist bell for its magnificent echo and fascinating sculptures of angels and lotus flowers.
Among stone lanterns, the Twin Lantern of Popchusa Temple and the lantern in Pulguksa Temple are known for their balance.
The sculptures carved on the monument of King Muyol's tomb and the 12 zodiacal signs carved on the monument of Kim Yu-sin's tomb and Kwaerung's (Hanging royal tomb) are examples of exquisite workmanship.
In the field of calligraphy, Kim Saeng was unsurpassed and among painters, Kim Ch'ung-ui became famous in Tang.