Choohhyun
H.H. SEORAK MUSAN CHO OH HYUN (1932- 雪嶽 霧山 曺 五 鉉)
Biography
editH.H. Seorak Musan Cho Oh Hyun is Josil of Kibon Seonwon (Spiritual Master of Fundamental Seon Mediation Center) of Jogye Order of the Korean Buddhism at Baekdamsa Monastery and famous for its Poetry of Delusion. He founded Manhae Foundation and Manhae Prize in Korea. Buddhist Monk and Poet by profession, he joined Sangha in his early age and practiced Seon meditation since he join Sangha. He started his Seon Poet literary career in 1966. In 1977, he became the abbot of Shinhungsa Temple which is the 3rd Diocese of Jogye Order of the Korean Buddhism. His Books of Seon Poetry, Ten Ox-Herding was published in 1978, The Seon Anthology of Manak Gathas was published in 2002, A Remote Holy Man was published in 2007. Became Josil of Kibon Seonwon (Spiritual Master of Fundamental Seon Mediation Center) of Jogye Order of the Korean Buddhism at Baekdamsa Monastery in 14 March 2014. He is renown not only in South Korea but also in European and other Asian countries like India, Sri Lanka, etc.
Award and Recognition
editAwarded the 4th Modern Sijo (traditional three-stanza Korean poem) Literary Prize in 1992.
Awarded the 7th Nammyeon Literary Prize in 1995.
Awarded the 16th Garam Literary Prize in 1996.
Awarded the Garam Sijo Literary Prize in 2001.
Awarded the Order of National Service Merit Camellia Medal.
Awarded the 42nd Korea Literary Prize in 2005.
Awarded the 19th Jeong Ji-Yong Literary Prize in 2007.
Awarded the 16th Gongcho literary Prize in 2008.
Awarded DMZ (demilitarized zone) Peace Prize in 2009.
The 23rd Pogyodaesang (Grand Prize of Transmission Dharma) of Jogye Order of the Korean Buddhism in 2011.
Works
editTranslation with explanatory notes of《The Blue Cliff Record》[1]
Translation with explanatory notes of 《The gateless Gate》[2]
《Seon Question Seon Answer》《How to know the way of living, even don’t know to die》
Present Position
editSpiritual Master of Shinhungsa Temple[3] of the 3rd Diocese of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, Mugum Seonwon hermitage (not present Seon retreat House) of Baekdamsa[4] Temple at Mt. Naeseorak.
The Chief Executive Director of Manhae Foundation (the Society for the Promotion and Practice of Manhae’s Thoughts (Manhae[5] Sasang Silcheon Seonyang-hoe). Manhae Foundation awards The Manhae Prizes[6] on August 12 ever year.
Present Stay
editH.H. Seorak Musan Cho Oh-Hyun stays and resides at Mugum Seonwon hermitage and Simwoojang (ox-herding hemitage) of Manhaemaul(village)
References
edit1. The Blue Cliff Record (Chinese:《碧巖錄》Bìyán Lù; Japanese: Hekiganroku (碧巌録?); Korean: Byeokamrok, 벽암록(碧巖錄); Vietnamese: Bích nham lục (碧巖錄)) is a collection of Chán Buddhist koans originally compiled in China during the Song dynasty in 1125 (宋宣和七年) and then expanded into its present form by the Chán master Yuanwu Keqin (圜悟克勤 1063 – 1135).<ref name="The Blue Cliff Record (Chinese:《碧巖錄》Bìyán Lù; Japanese: Hekiganroku (碧巌録?); Korean: Byeokamrok, 벽암록(碧巖錄); Vietnamese: Bích nham lục (碧巖錄)) is a collection of Chán Buddhist koans originally compiled in China during the Song dynasty in 1125 (宋宣和七年) and then expanded into its present form by the Chán master Yuanwu Keqin (圜悟克勤 1063 – 1135).
2. The Gateless Gate (無門關, Mandarin. Wúménguān, Japanese. 無門関, Mumonkan) is a collection of 48 Chan (Zen) koans compiled in the early 13th century by the Chinese Zen master Wumen Hui-k’ai (無門慧開)(1183–1260) (Japanese: Mumon Ekai). Wumen’s preface indicates that the volume was published in 1228. Each koan is accompanied by a commentary and verse by Wumen. A classic edition includes a 49th case composed by Anwan (pen name for Cheng Ch’ing-Chih) in 1246. Wu-liang Tsung-shou also supplemented the volume with a verse of four stanzas composed in 1230 about the three checkpoints of Zen master Huanglong. These three checkpoints of Huanglong should not be confused with Doushuai’s Three Checkpoints found in Case 47.
3. Shinhungsa is one of 25 diocese temples of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism. It is situated on the slopes of Seoraksan in Sokcho, Gangwon Province, South Korea. Sinhungsa is located in Seoraksan National Park, and many tourists hiking Seoraksan up to Ulsanbawi (peak) pass by the temple on the way. Historical accounts vary as to whether this ancient Zen (Seon) temple was first constructed by Jajang in 653, first called Hyangseongsa (Temple of Zen Buddhism), or in 637 following his return from Tang China. It burned to the ground in 699, was rebuilt in 710, burned again in 1645 and was rebuilt in 1648 at its present location by master Uisang. This temple is believed to be the oldest Zen (Seon) temple in the world. The Great Unification Buddha, a 14.6-meter/48-foot, 108 ton gilt-bronze Buddha statue, called “Tongil Daebul”, sits atop a 4.3-meter/15-foot high pedestal, of the same material, making the total height 18.9-meter/62-foot, excluding the lightning rod and nimbus. The lotus pedestal is flanked with 16 delicately engraved panels and the forehead of Tongil Daebul is adorned with eight 8-centimeter/3-inch stones of amber, with a single piece of jade in the center that is 10-centimeter/4-inch in diameter. Tongil Daebul sits with legs crossed and half-closed eyes in meditation, his lips displaying a perceptible smile. A flowing robe with gentle folds, revealing the right shoulder, drapes the Buddha’s robust torso. The hands of Tongil Daebul are positioned in the mudra symbolizing the “enlightened one.” Contained within the hollow statue are three pieces of the Buddha’s sari(relics), remains collected after his cremation, donated by the Myanmar government, and the Tripitaka, the original Buddhist scriptures. There is a one-kilometer-long path leading up to the One-Pillar Gate. Behind the Gate of the Four Guardians there is a two-story study hall. On the walls of the outside of the Main Hall, a Paradise Hall, there are the Ten Ox-herding Pictures. Inside the hall, Amitabha is enshrined, accompanied by Avalokitesvara and Mahastramprapta, the Bodhisattva of Power. They sit under a bright canopy of yellow dragons and behind the statues is a painting showing Sakyamuni with various Bodhisattvas, the guardians at the four corners and some monks including a very aged Kasyapa and a very young-looking Ananda, the Buddha’s long-term attendant. On the northern wall is a painting of the protector of Dharma, Tongjin. Included in the attending gods is the kitchen god, who has an unusual beard and holds antlers in his hand. The Ten Ox-herding Pictures, dating from 12th century Song China (1126-1279), teach about the search and understanding of the mind, reminding practitioners of the way to enlightenment. The ox is the mind and the ox-herder is the practitioner. At first, the herder cannot even find the ox. Then he sees some tracks and these lead him to his first sighting of the ox. Slowly he tracks the ox down, controls it and tames it. At the same time, the mind is being purified – symbolized by the ox becoming whiter. Finally, the ox-herder, having gone through various stages of realization – the “○”seen in many sets of pictures – returns to the ordinary world with his higher state of consciousness. The Judgment Hall is dedicated to the benevolent Ksitigarbha, the Bodhisattva who cares for those in trouble. Behind the statue is a painting showing the Bodhisattva and the ten kings. The shrine to the indigenous gods, between the Main Hall and the Judgment Hall, contains a picture of the Sanshin. Sanshin is the God of the Mountain, usually pictured with a tiger, and he is particularly remembered after any large ceremony because everyone is grateful for being able to have the temple built on the mountain. Dokseong, the Lonely Hermit, is actually more Buddhist in origin and represents the sole practitioner. Chilseong, the Big Dipper, controls human life expectancy and women who had just given birth traditionally offered a skein of thread to Chilseong as a symbol of their hope for a long life for their baby. In Shinhungsa, Chilseong is surrounded by the sun and the moon, seven stars, the master of the South Polar star and lots of heavenly beings. In the surrounding mountains there are some interesting hermitages, some of which partly date back to the time of Master Jajang.
4. Located on Naeseorak, Baekdamsa Temple was built by Jajang (590~658) during the reign of Queen Jin-Deok (647-654), 28th ruler of the Silla Dynasty. In the beginning, a temple called Hangyesa was built in Hangye-ri which was in the vicinity to Jangsudae. This temple was completely demolished by several fire accidents including one in the year 690, during the reign of King Sinmun. It changed its locations to several other sites and was renamed Youngchuisa, Simsa, Baekdamsa, and Simwonsa Temple. A stone bridge called Susimgyo is built across Baekdam Gyegok Valley to the front of Baekdamsa Temple. Wooden Amitha Buddha Statue, designated as National Treasure No.1182, is preserved here at Baekdamsa Temple. This Buddhist statue was made in 1748 during the reign of Yeongjo (reign 1724~1776) and is known as the most outstanding statue in the early 18th century. Currently remaining structures include Geukrakbojeon(main shrine hall, treasure palace of pure land), Sanryeonggak(house of Mountain God), Hwaeomsil(house of Avatamsaka), Beophwasil(house of lotus flower), Jeongmun(front gate), and Yosachae(monks’ resident). In the courtyard, there is a three-story stone temple remaining to this date. As for temples, Bongjeongam hermitage, Oseam, and Wonmyeongam remain till today. The temples of South Korea display not only architectural splendor, spirituality and calmness but also relive the heritage and cultural richness of the Korea. Baekdamsa Temple in South Korea is one of the most famous Buddhist temples in the country. You will find many samples of architecture in Baekdamsa Temple, which draws many followers to its Buddhist philosophy. Baekdamsa Temple in South Korea gained popularity when Manhae Han Yong-Un, an advocate for national independence wrote Nimui Chimmuk (Silence of the Beloved). You will also find the Manhae Monument Hall in this temple which commemorates Manhae Han Yong-Un. Baekdamsa Temple was made famous by Manhae Han Yong-Un, a strong activist for national independence and poet who wrote his literary piece called “Nimui Chimmuk (Silence of the Beloved)” when he was just 48. Today, Baekdamsa Temple has the Manhae Monument Hall, built to remember the spirit of Manhae Han Yong-Un.
5. Manhae (August 29, 1879 – June 29, 1944) was a twentieth century Korean Buddhist reformer and poet. Manhae was his pen name; his birth name was Han Yu-cheon, but he is universally known by the name he was given by his meditation instructor in 1907, Han Yong-un(Korean: 한용운 or; also written Han Yong-woon). Manhae was born in Southern Chungnam province in what is today South Korea. Prior to being ordained, he was involved in resistance to Japanese influence in the country, which culminated in the Japanese occupation from 1905 to 1945. The same year the occupation began, 1905, Manhae was ordained as a Buddhist monk at Baekdamsa Temple on Mt. Seorak. As a social writer, Manhae called for the reform of Korean Buddhism. Manhae’s poetry dealt with both nationalism. One of his more political collections was Nimui Chimmuk (님의 침묵), published in 1926. These works revolve around the ideas of equality and freedom, and helped inspire the tendencies toward passive resistance and non-violence in the Korean independence movement.
6. The society for the Promotion and Practice of Manhae’s Thoughts establishes the Manhae Prize(Manhae Daesang) in memory of, and for the dissemination of, the high thinking and noble mind of Reverend Manhae(1879-1944). As is well known, Reverend Manhae devoted his body and soul to the noble and just cause of national independence: until he breathed his last, he fought against the tyranny of the Japanese colonialist rule, armed with the idea of freedom and equality and that of harmony and peace, and he never ceased putting into practice his idea of love; indeed, he not only loved his country and its people but also had a deep affection for all the living beings of the word. What is the most valuable thing in this world? It would be a noble mind that cares, and pays respect to, all the living beings of the world, and it would be the idea of love that enables all the living being of the world to be born and enjoy life. Also, it would be the idea of freedom and equality or the idea of harmony and peace that helps the idea of love come into full bloom. Reverend Manhae knew this and actively upheld what he believed to be the most valuable cause. Indeed, he is one of the paragons of justice and morality, whose high thinking and noble mind have illuminated all of us the right path to peace and happiness. To repeat, in memory of, and for the dissemination of, Reverend Manhae’s Prize in the following categories; Peace, Social Service, Academic Excellence, Art, Literature, and Missionary Work. The Society hopes that the Manhae’s high thinking and noble mind. And the successful and fair management of the Manhae Prize. The Society for the Promotion and Practice of Manhae’s Thoughts.
Choohhyun, you are invited to the Teahouse
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Hi Choohhyun! Thanks for contributing to Wikipedia. |