Great Seon Masters of Korean History

Wonhyo (617~686)

Wonhyo was not a man to stick to doctrinal studies or abstract ideas. He was a man dedicated to saving not only the royal and noble families, but also the ordinary and less educated members of society who were equally suffering. He was given the name of Wonhyo which means “dawn” and he lived up to his name for he was a pioneer, not only in Korean Buddhist thought, but also in philosophical thought.

Uisang (625~702)

Venerable Uisang solved the conflicts and the difficulties of worldly life through religious harmony and by reconciling the extremes based on this philosophy.

Myeongjeok Doui (?~?)

Inheritor of the core teachings of the Southern School's “Patriarchal Chan (K: Seon; J: Zen)” from Master Huineng of the Six Dynasty period, Doui-guksa was the first to bring these teachings to Korea and stands as the founder of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism.

Bojo Jinul (1158~1210)

National Teacher Bojo succeeded the tradition of the Nine Mountain Schools of Korean Seon and led the Doctrinal School to be involved in the Seon School. He received Ganhwaseon from Dahui Zonggao from China and re-founded Korean Seon by settling the Seon tradition of the Jogye Order.

Cheongheo Hyujeong (1520~1604)

Master Hyujeong placed the top of his class on the examination of the monastic curriculum, and he ascended to the highest position in the Buddhist order, the arbiter of the Seon school. However, he resigned his post, returning to Mt. Geumgang where he gave his undivided attention to his training and guiding the younger monks, while at the same time producing literary gems displaying his Seon thought.

Myori Beophui (1887~1975)

Master Beophui stands as a major star in the world of Korean Buddhist nuns (bhiksuni), serving as the first Head Master of the first meditation hall for nuns, the Gyeonseongam Hermitage at Sudeoksa, as well as instructing numerous students under her tutelage.

Mangong Wolmyeon (1871~1946)

His ordination name was Wolmyeon (meaning “the face of the moon”), his dharma name Mangong. He stood as a renowned disciple of Master Gyeongheo. Together with Masters Suwol (meaning “the moon in the water”) and Hyewol (meaning “the wise moon”), the three earned their nickname as “the three moons of Gyeongheo.”

Choui Uisun (1786~1866)

A representative Seon master of the late Joseon Dynasty, Seon Master Choui became known as the “Korean Tea Sage” for reviving Korea's traditional tea ceremony. In addition, owing to his remarkable skill in poetry, calligraphy and painting, from the Buddhist perspective he is judged highly as both an artist and a man of letters, erudite in all aspects of the culture of his age.

Hangmyoung Gyejong (1867~1929)

In order to bring about the economic self-sufficiency of temples, Master Hangmyoung inspired monks to take up agricultural labor, advocating the theory of “seonnong ilchi,” the idea that Seon practice and agricultural work were part of a singular teaching.

Hanam Jungwon (1876~1951)

Master Hanam was not the type of monk who preaches the dharma by simply memorizing the words of the old masters. He was a genuine truth-seeker who sought his own words ardently flowing from his own heart, showing us the true spirit and world of Seon.