Gamifying Enlightenment: Educational Game Elements and Buddhist Values in Seongbuldo 成佛圖

This study examines Seongbuldo (成佛圖), a traditional Korean Buddhist board game from the Joseon Dynasty, as a historical example of religious game-based learning. Drawing on historical sources and contemporary educational theories, it analyzes how key Buddhist doctrines and values—including karma, rebirth, spiritual cultivation, compassion, and enlightenment—are embodied in the game’s board design, rules, and gameplay. The analysis further shows that Seongbuldo incorporates educational features emphasized in contemporary gamification and game-based learning, such as clearly defined goals, structured progression, immediate feedback, rewards and penalties, and a balance between competition and cooperation. However, its reliance on chance-based dice mechanics may simplify complex Buddhist doctrines, and some traditional representations require critical reinterpretation in light of contemporary educational values and inclusive pedagogy. Nevertheless, this study reconsiders Seongbuldo not merely as a traditional pastime but as a historical educational game that integrated religious education, character formation, and experiential learning, suggesting that traditional Buddhist games can serve as valuable cultural resources for contemporary character education and game-based learning.