School: Korean Seon | 1849-1912 | Teacher: Manhwa Boseon
The 75th Korean patriarch and the reviver of modern Korean Seon. Born Song Donguk (宋東旭) in Jeonju. Entered monastic life around age 9 under Venerable Gyeheo at Cheonggyesa, then studied under Manhwa at Donghaksa. Attained enlightenment in 1879 after encountering plague victims, which drove him from sutra study to intensive meditation. On November 15, 1887, achieved great awakening. Revived kanhwa Seon (hwadu meditation) and taught at Beomeosa, Haeinsa, and Songgwangsa. In 1905, at age 59, abruptly left the sangha and wandered incognito in northern Korea, reportedly living as a layperson teaching Confucian classics until his death in 1912 at Gapsan. His four great disciples -- Suwol (1855-1928), Hyewol (1861-1937), Mangong (1871-1946), and Hanam (1876-1951) -- became the pillars of 20th-century Korean Buddhism.
References: Wikipedia | ko.Wikipedia | EncyKorea | Terebess
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