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[[File:Korea-Haeinsa-21.jpg|thumb|Monks going down to their rooms after evening prayers at [[Haeinsa]].]]
'''''Seon''''' ([[Korean language|Korean]]: 선; [[Help:IPA/Korean|IPA]]: [sŏn]) is the Korean form of of [[Chan Buddhism]] (commonly referred to as [[Zen]] in the West). 

Seon was transmitted into Korea during the late [[Silla]] period (7th through 9th centuries) as Korean monks of predominantly [[Hwaeom]] ({{Korean|hangul=화엄종|hanja=華嚴宗}}) and [[East Asian Yogācāra]] ({{Korean|hanja=唯識宗|hangul=유식종}}) background began to travel to China to learn the newly developing tradition. Seon received its most significant impetus and consolidation from the [[Goryeo]] monk [[Jinul]] (知訥) (1158–1210), who established a reform movement and introduced [[kōan]] practice to Korea. Jinul established the [[Songgwangsa]] (松廣寺) as a new center of pure practice.

==History of Seon==
{{See also|Korean Buddhism}}During the [[Goryeo]] dynasty [[Jinul]] strongly influenced Korean Buddhism. He was the first monk to be appointed a national teacher and advisor by the king, having written a book presenting the Seon tradition from the [[Song dynasty|Song]] dynasty.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.koreanbuddhism.net/bbs/board.php?bo_table=3060&wr_id=25|title=Jinul > Korean Seon Masters {{!}} Welcome to Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism|website=www.koreanbuddhism.net|language=en|access-date=2017-09-06}}</ref> And this Seon tradition preserved well to this day, after [[Taego Bou]] brought his Dharma transmission to Goryeo.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.koreanbuddhism.net/bbs/board.php?bo_table=1030&wr_id=49|title=Bou > Korean Seon Masters {{!}} Welcome to Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism|website=www.koreanbuddhism.net|language=en|access-date=2017-09-06}}</ref>

The [[Joseon]] dynasty suppressed buddhism in favour of [[confucianism]]. In spite of the suppression, [[Hyujeong]] wrote about the three religions (Seon Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism) in the Joseon dynasty from Seon point of view. He also succeeded to the Dharma transmission. During the [[Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–98)]], Hyujeong and [[Yujeong]] commanded guerrilla units of monks and took part in diplomacy. <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.koreanbuddhism.net/bbs/board.php?bo_table=3060&wr_id=24|title=Hyujeong > Korean Seon Masters {{!}} Welcome to Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism|website=www.koreanbuddhism.net|language=en|access-date=2017-09-06}}</ref>

Under annexation by [[Japan]] most monks were forced to marry - this lasted about 40 years until the act of purification. <ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.beopbo.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=94214|title=한국 전통 간화선풍 되살린 선지식 진면목 - 법보신문|access-date=2017-09-06|language=ko}}</ref>During those times, masters like [[Gyeongheo|Gyoengheo]] and [[Mangong]] kept Dharma transmission alive.

21th centry, the few left this Dharma transmission. "남진제 북송담'(南眞際 北松潭) (Jinje to the south, Songdam to the north)."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.beopbo.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=95179|title=“송담 스님 잘못 보필한 허물 참회합니다” - 법보신문|access-date=2017-09-06|language=ko}}</ref> is well-known phrase in Korean seon tradition these days. Others are [[Seungsahn]], [[Daewon]].[[File:Monk seon.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Seon [[bhikkhuni|bhikṣuṇī]] in Seoul, South Korea]]

===Unified Silla Period (668–935)===

====Transmission of Chan to Korea====
Chan was transmitted into [[Unified Silla]] (668-935).{{sfn|Marshall|1995|p=63}}{{sfn|Keown|Prebish|2007}}<ref group=web name="RoutledgeBpK">[http://www.rep.routledge.com/article/G201 Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy, ''"Buddhist philosophy, Korean"'']</ref> Beomnang (法朗, Pŏmnang, Peomnang) (632-646), who studied with the Fourth Patriarch [[Dayi Daoxin]] (道信) (580-651), was the first to bring the teachings to Korea.{{sfn|Marshall|1995|p=63}}{{sfn|Keown|Prebish|2007}} Beomnang transmitted his teachings to Sinhaeng (神行) (704-779), who also traveled to China. Sinhaeng studied with Puji (651–739), a successor of [[Yuquan Shenxiu]] (died 706), the head of the [[East Mountain Teaching]] of Chan.{{sfn|Keown|Prebish|2007}} Seon was further popularized by Doui (道義) (died 825) at the beginning of the ninth century.

====Nine Schools====
{{Main|Nine mountain schools}}

Seon was gradually further transmitted into Korea, as Korean monks of predominantly [[Hwaeom]] (華嚴) and [[Yogacara]] (唯識) background{{citation needed|date=December 2012}} began to travel to China to study the [[Hongzhou school]] of [[Mazu Daoyi]] (709–788) and his successors{{sfn|Keown|Prebish|2007}} and the [[Rinzai school]] of [[Linji Yixuan]]. Mazu's successors had numerous Korean students, some of whom returned to Korea and established their own schools at various mountain monasteries with their leading disciples.{{sfn|Keown|Prebish|2007}}

Initially, the number of these schools was fixed at nine. Seon was termed the [[nine mountain schools]]" at the time.{{sfn|Marshall|1995|p=63}} Eight of these were of the lineage of Mazu Daoyi (馬祖道一) (709-788), as they were established through connection with either him or one of his eminent disciples.{{sfn|Keown|Prebish|2007}} The one exception was the Sumi-san school founded by Yieom (利嚴) (869-936), which had developed from the [[Caodong school]] (曹洞).{{citation needed|date=December 2012}}

Toǔi (道義 Doui) (died 825), who studied with [[Zhizang]] (735-814) and [[Baizhang Huaihai]] (百丈) (749-814)  is regarded as the first patriarch of Korean Sŏn. He founded the Kaji Mountain school (迦智山 Gaji san school). The Nine mountain Schools adopted the name [[Jogye Order]] in 826.{{citation needed|date=December 2012}} The first record of the Nine Mountains school dates from 1084.{{sfn|Keown|Prebish|2007}}

===Goryeo Dynasty (918–1392)===
[[File:Dkh.PNG|thumb|right|upright|Korean [[bhikkhu|bhikṣu]] of the Seon school]]

====Tension====
By the eleventh century Sŏn Buddhism became established in Korea. It distinguished itself from the existing Five Schools{{refn|group=note|Kyeyul chong (Vinaya school), Yŏlban chong (Nirvāna school), Pŏpsŏng chong (Dharma Nature school), Hwaŏm chong (Huayen school), and Pŏpsang chong (Yogācāra school).{{sfn|Keown|Prebish|2007}}}} and their scriptural emphasis.{{sfn|Keown|Prebish|2007}} Tension developed between the new meditational schools and the previously existing scholastic schools, which were described by the term ''gyo'', meaning "learning" or "study".{{citation needed|date=December 2012}} Efforts were needed to attain mutual understanding and rapprochement between Sŏn and these scholastic schools.{{sfn|Keown|Prebish|2007}}

====Jinul====
{{Main|Jinul}}

The most important figure of Goryeo-era Seon was [[Jinul]] ({{korean|hangul=지눌|hanja=知訥}}, 1158-1210), who established a reform movement in Korea. In his time, the sangha was in a crisis of external appearance and internal issues of doctrine. Buddhism was seen as infected by secular tendencies and involvements, such as fortune-telling and the offering of prayers and rituals for success in secular endeavors. This perceived corruption was seen to create a profusion of monks and nuns with questionable motives. Therefore, the correction, revival, and improvement of the quality of Buddhism were prominent issues for Buddhist leaders of the period.{{citation needed|date=December 2012}}

Jinul sought to establish a new movement within Korean Seon, which he called the "[[samadhi|samādhi]] and [[prajñā (Buddhism)|prajñā]] society". Its goal was to establish a new community of disciplined, pure-minded practitioners deep in the mountains. He eventually accomplished this mission with the founding of the [[Songgwangsa]] (松廣寺) at [[Jogyesan]] as a new center of pure practice.{{citation needed|date=December 2012}}

Jinul's works are characterized by a thorough analysis and reformulation of the methodologies of Seon study and practice. He laid an equal emphasis on doctrinal teaching and Sŏn practice.{{sfn|Keown|Prebish|2007}} One major issue that had long fermented in Chan, and which received special focus from Jinul, was the relationship between "gradual" and "[[Subitism|sudden]]" methods in practice and enlightenment.{{citation needed|date=December 2012}} Drawing upon various Chinese treatments of this topic, most importantly those by [[Guifeng Zongmi]] (780-841) and [[Dahui Zonggao]] (大慧宗杲) (1089–1163), Jinul created Pojo Sŏn,{{sfn|Keown|Prebish|2007}} a "sudden enlightenment followed by gradual practice" dictum, which he outlined in a few relatively concise and accessible texts.{{sfn|Buswell|1991a}} Jinul incorporated Dahui Zonggao's ''gwanhwa'' ({{zh|c=觀話|p=guān huà}}, "observing the critical phrase") into his practice.{{sfn|Buswell|1991b}} This form of meditation is the main method taught in Korean Seon today.{{sfn|Lachs|2012}}

Jinul's philosophical resolution of the Seon-Gyo conflict brought a deep and lasting effect on Korean Buddhism.{{citation needed|date=December 2012}}

====Hyesim====
Jinul’s successor, Chin’gak Hyesim (혜심/慧諶: 1178~1234) further emphasized the hwadu (Ch. huatou, "word head" or "critical phrase") practice. He collected 1,125 gongans in his ''Sŏnmun yŏmsongjip'' ("The Collection of Verses and Cases", 1226). Hyesim encouraged female practitioners to practice hwadu, where-as women’s Buddhist practice was limited to chanting and sūtra-readings.{{sfn|Keown|Prebish|2007}}

====Jogye Order====
{{Main|Jogye Order}}

It was during the time of Jinul that the [[Jogye Order]], a Seon sect, became the predominant form of Korean Buddhism, a status it still holds.{{citation needed|date=December 2012}} [[Taego Bou]] (1301–1382) studied the [[Linji school]] in China and returned to unite the Nine Mountain Schools.

There would be a series of important Seon teachers during the next several centuries, such as [[Hyegeun]] ({{korean|hanja=慧勤|hangul=혜근}}, 1320-76), [[Taego Bou]] (1301–82), [[Gihwa]] (1376–1433) and [[Hyujeong]] (1520-1604), who continued to develop the basic mold of Korean meditational Buddhism established by Jinul.

===Joseon (1392-1897)===
{{See also|Joseon}}

====Suppression====
At the end of Goryeo and during Joseon the Jogye Order was combined with the scholarly schools. It lost influence under the ruling class, which embraced neo-Confucianism.<ref group=web name="RoutledgeChoson">[http://www.rep.routledge.com/article/G201SECT11 Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy, ''"11 Chosôn period (1392–1910)"''] {{webarchive|url=https://www.webcitation.org/6HGo6xpor?url=http://www.rep.routledge.com/article/G201SECT11 |date=2013-06-10 }}</ref> Buddhism was gradually suppressed for the next 500 years. The number of temples was reduced, restrictions on membership in the [[Sangha (Buddhism)|sangha]] were installed, and Buddhist monks and nuns were literally chased into the mountains, forbidden to mix with society. Joseon Buddhism was first condensed to Seon and Gyo. Eventually, these were further reduced to the single school of Seon.

Giwha wrote an important treatise in defense of Buddhism, the ''Hyeonjeong non''. In the tradition of earlier philosophers, he applied [[Essence-Function]] and ''Hwaeom'' (''sa-sa mu-ae'', [[Five Ranks#The interplay of Absolute & Relative|"mutual interpenetration of phenomena"]]).<ref group=web name="RoutledgeChoson" />

During Joseon, the number of Buddhist monasteries dropped from several hundred to a mere thirty-six. Limits were placed on the number of clergy, land area, and ages for entering the sangha. When the final restrictions were in place, monks and nuns were prohibited from entering the cities. Buddhist funerals, and even begging, were outlawed. A few rulers temporarily lifted the more suppressive regulations. The most noteworthy of these was the [[Queen Munjeong]]. The queen had deep respect for the brilliant monk ''Bou'' (보우, 普雨; 1515&ndash;1565), and installed him as the head of the Seon school.{{citation needed|date=December 2012}}

====Seosan====
{{Main|Hyujeong}}

Buddhist monks helped in repelling the [[Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–98)]]. Monks were organized into guerrilla units, which enjoyed some instrumental successes. The "righteous monk" (義士; ''uisa'') movement was led by [[Hyujeong]] (1520&ndash;1604), a Seon master and the author of a number of important religious texts. The presence of the monks' army was a critical factor in the eventual expulsion of the Japanese invaders.

Seosan made efforts toward the unification of Buddhist doctrinal study and practice. He was strongly influenced by Wonhyo, Jinul, and Giwha. He is considered the central figure in the revival of Joseon Buddhism, and most major streams of modern Korean Seon trace their lineages back to him through one of his four main disciples: [[Yujeong]] (1544&ndash;1610); Eongi (1581&ndash;1644), Taeneung (1562&ndash;1649) and Ilseon (1533&ndash;1608), all four of whom were lieutenants to Seosan during the war with Japan.{{citation needed|date=December 2012}}
[[File:Guard statue in a Korean temple.jpg|thumb|Statue of one of the [[Four Heavenly Kings]]]]

====Late Joseon Kingdom====
Buddhism during the three centuries, from the time of Seosan down to the next Japanese incursion into Korea in the late nineteenth century, did not change very much. The Buddhism of the late Joseon Kingdom saw a revival of [[Hwaeom]] studies. There was also a revival of [[Pure Land Buddhism]].{{citation needed|date=December 2012}}

===Korean Empire (1897-1910) and Japanese annexation (1910-1945)===
With the [[Korean Empire]] started the [[Gwangmu Reform]], a modernisation of Korea. The Korean Empire ended in 1910, when Korea was [[Japan–Korea Treaty of 1910|annexated by Japan]].{{citation needed|date=December 2012}}

Korean monks travelled to Japan for the scholarly study of Buddhism, where they were influenced by Japanese scholars who introduced western ideas into their studies. Via those Korean monks western ideas were also introduced in Korean Buddhism, and a bifurcation developed between monks and scholars.<ref group=web name="RoutledgeConclusion">[http://www.rep.routledge.com/article/G201SECT12 Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy, ''"Conclusion"''] {{webarchive|url=https://www.webcitation.org/6HGo7t051?url=http://www.rep.routledge.com/article/G201SECT12 |date=2013-06-10 }}</ref>

===Division of Korea (1945-present)===
After the Second World War the [[United Nations]] developed plans for a trusteeship administration, the [[Soviet Union]] administering the peninsula north of the [[38th parallel north|38th parallel]] and the [[United States Army Military Government in Korea]] administering the south. The politics of the [[Cold War]] resulted in the 1948 establishment of two separate governments, [[North Korea]] and [[South Korea]].

====Contemporary Seon====
{{See also|Religion in Korea|Religion in South Korea|Religion in North Korea}}

Since the middle of the 20th century [[Christianity]] has competed with Buddhism in South Korea,<ref group=web name="RoutledgeConclusion" /> while religious practice has been suppressed in North Korea.<ref group=web>[https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/kn.html#People CIA, ''North Korea'']</ref>

Seon continues to be practiced in Korea today at a number of major monastic centers, as well as being taught at [[Dongguk University]], which has a major of studies in this religion. The largest Buddhist denomination is the [[Jogye Order]].{{citation needed|date=December 2012}}

In the 1980s a debate arose about [[Subitism|"sudden" versus "gradual" enlightenment"]].<ref group=web name="RoutledgeConclusion" /> Since [[Jinul]] Korean Seon was based on the integration of practice and scholarly study in the slogan "sudden enlightenment, gradual cultivation". The modern Korean Seon master [[Seongcheol]] revived the slogan "sudden enlightenment, sudden cultivation", ascribed to [[Huineng]].<ref group=web name="eLibSeongcheol">[http://www.buddhism.org/board/read.cgi?board=Dharma_Talks&y_number=54 Buddhism.org Buddhist eLibrary, ''"Toeong Seongcheol"'']</ref> The last three Supreme Patriarchs of the Jogye Order have a stance in this debate that is in accordance with [[Seongcheol]].{{citation needed|date=December 2012}}

==Spread in the United States==
Korean Seon has been spread in the US by [[Seungsahn]]. He was a temple abbot in [[Seoul]] and after living in [[Hong Kong]] and [[Japan]], he moved to the US in 1972, not speaking any English. On the flight to Los Angeles, a Korean American passenger offered him a job at a laundry in [[Providence, Rhode Island]], which became headquarters of Seung Sahn's [[Kwan Um School of Zen]]. Shortly after arriving in Providence, he attracted students and founded the [[Providence Zen Center]]. The Kwan Um School has more than 100 Zen centers on six continents.

[[File:200511241132853328-1-.jpg|thumb|right|upright=.5|[[Kyong Ho]]]]
Another Korean Zen teacher, [[Samu (sunim)|Samu Sunim]], founded [[Toronto]]'s Zen Buddhist Temple in 1971. He is head of the [[Buddhist Society for Compassionate Wisdom]], which has temples in [[Ann Arbor, Michigan|Ann Arbor]], [[Chicago]], [[Mexico City]], and [[New York City]].

In the early 20th century, Master [[Kyongho]] (1849–1912), re-energized Korean Seon. At the end of World War II, his disciple, Master Mann Gong (1871–1946), proclaimed that lineage Dharma should be transmitted worldwide to encourage peace through enlightenment. Consequently, his Dharma successor, Hye Am <ref group=web>{{cite web |title= Hye-Am |url= http://www.buddhism.org/dharma/Hye-Am/Prolegomena.html |accessdate= 2010-10-10 }}</ref> (1884–1985) brought lineage Dharma to the United States. Hye Am's Dharma successor, Myo Vong{{sfn|Vong|2008}} founded the Western Son Academy (1976), and his Korean disciple, [[Pohwa]] Sunim, founded World Zen Fellowship (1994) which includes various Zen centers in the United States, such as the Potomac Zen Sangha, the Patriarchal Zen Society and the Baltimore Zen Center.<ref group=web>{{cite web |title= World Zen Fellowship |url= http://www.worldzen.org |accessdate= 2010-10-10 }}</ref>

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=note}}

==References==

===Book references===
{{reflist|2}}

===Web-references===
{{reflist|group=web}}

==Sources==
{{refbegin}}
* {{Citation | last =Buswell | first =Robert E. | year =1991a | title =Tracing Back the Radiance: Chinul's Korean Way of Zen | publisher =University of Hawaii Press|isbn=0824814274}}
* {{Citation | last =Buswell | first =Robert E. | year =1991b | title =The "Short-cut" Approach of ''K'an-hua Meditation: The Evolution of a Practical Subitism in Chinese Ch'an Buddhism. In: Peter N. Gregory (editor)(1991), ''Sudden and Gradual. Approaches to Enlightenment in Chinese Thought'' | place =Delhi | publisher =Motilal Banarsidass Publishers Private Limited}}
* {{Citation | last =Buswell | first =Robert E. | year =1993 | title =The Zen Monastic Experience: Buddhist Practice in Contemporary Korea | publisher =Princeton University Press}} 
* {{Citation | last =Buswell | first =Robert E | year =1993 | title =Ch'an Hermeneutics: A Korean View. In: Donald S. Lopez, Jr. (ed.)(1993), ''Buddhist Hermeneutics'' | place =Delhi | publisher =Motilal Banarsidass}}
* {{Citation | last1 =Keown | first1 =Damien | last2 = Prebish | first2 =Charles S.| year =2007 | title =Encyclopedia of Buddhism: Sŏn Buddhism (Korean Zen) | publisher =Routledge | url =http://sweepingzen.com/korean-zen}}
* {{Citation | last =Kim | first =Jinwung | year =2012 | title =A History of Korea: From "Land of the Morning Calm" to States in Conflict | publisher =Indiana University Press}}
* {{Citation | last =Lachs | first =Stuart | year =2012 | title =Hua-t’ou : A Method of Zen Meditation | url =http://zennist.typepad.com/files/lachszen_2012_02_11.docx.pdf}}
* {{Citation | last= Marshall | first = R. Pihl | year =1995 | title =Koryŏ Sŏn Buddhism and Korean Literature. In: Korean Studies, Volume 19, 1995, pp. 62-82 | url =http://muse.jhu.edu/login?auth=0&type=summary&url=/journals/korean_studies/v019/19.pihl01.pdf}}
* {{Citation | last =Park | first =Jin Y. | year =2010 | title =Makers of Modern Korean Buddhism | publisher =SUNY Press}}
* {{Citation | last =Sorensen | first =Henrik Hjort | year =1983 | title =The Life and Thought of the Korean Sŏn Master Kyŏnghŏ. In: Korean Studies, Volume 7, 1983, pp. 9-33}}
{{refend}}

==Further reading==
* {{Citation | last =Lachs | first =Stuart | year =2012 | title =Hua-t’ou : A Method of Zen Meditation | url =http://zennist.typepad.com/files/lachszen_2012_02_11.docx.pdf}}

==External links==
* [http://www.rep.routledge.com/article/G201 Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy: Buddhist philosophy, Korean]
* [http://www.sunypress.edu/pdf/61885.pdf Jin Y. Park (2010), ''Buddhism and Modernity in Korea'' (Introduction to ''Makers of Modern Korean Buddhism'']
* [http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhistworld/korea-txt.htm Buddhanet: Buddhism in Korea]

{{Zen}}

[[Category:Zen]]
[[Category:Meditation]]
[[Category:Buddhism in Korea]]

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===Page is sourced from===

[https://encyclopediaofbuddhism.org/wiki/Korean%20Seon www.encyclopediaofbuddhism.org Korean Seon]