Great Seon Masters of Korean History

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.

Dorim Beopjeon (1925~)

Ven. Dorim Beojeon is the 11th Supreme Patriarch of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. He was a disciple of Seon Master Seongcheol, accomplished 50 Summer Retreats at Meditation Halls in Haein-sa and Other Temples since 1952.

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.

Baegun Gyeonghan (1298~1374)

Venerable Baegun Gyeonghan was one of the three leading monks of the late Goryeo Period along with Taego Bou (1301-1382) and Naong Hyegeun (1320-1376). Baegun was his pen name and Gyeonghan was his ordained name.

Taego Bou (1301~1382)

National Teacher Taego Bou was the great Seon master who succeeded the Seon lineage of the Linji School from China and who played an important role in the establishment of Ganhwaseon in Goryeo.

Naong Hyegeun (1320~1376)

Master Naong lived at a time of much upheaval at the end of the Goryeo dynasty. Together with Taego Bou, he is regarded as a great Master who helped lay the foundation for the Buddhism in the Joseon era.

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.

Baekpa Geungseon (1767~1852)

Master Baekpa was one of Korea’s the greatest meditation Masters who embodied the essence of Buddhist discipline as well as Hwaeom philosophy. He had a great argument in Seon tradition with the Seon Master Choui (1786-1866) in the late Joseon period.

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.

Gyeongheo Seong-U (1826~1912)

Master Gyeongheo is esteemed as a great revivalist of contemporary Korean Seon following on from Seon Master Hyujeong Cheongheo (1520-1604).