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Religion1190–1205

Jinul and the Suseonsa Society

Criticizing a corrupt Buddhist establishment, Jinul led the Suseonsa reform society and, teaching joint cultivation of meditation and wisdom and "sudden awakening, gradual cultivation", revived Seon as the Jogye order embracing doctrinal study.

Songgwangsa in Suncheon, where Jinul led the Suseonsa community
Songgwangsa in Suncheon, where Jinul led the Suseonsa community

Oadde · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source

In 1190 at Geojosa on Mount Palgong, Jinul wrote his call to form a Samadhi and Prajna Society with fellow monks. It moved to Gilsangsa on Mount Songgwang in 1200, and in 1205 King Huijong renamed it Suseonsa (today’s Songgwangsa in Suncheon). Members devoted themselves equally to sutra reading, meditation and labour.

Jinul taught that one must first suddenly awaken to the mind as Buddha and then cultivate gradually, practising meditation and wisdom together. His disciple Hyesim argued that Confucianism and Buddhism were one. At about the same time Yose led the White Lotus Society, centred on Lotus Sutra devotion, at Mandeoksa in Gangjin.

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States and rulers at the time
Goryeo — Myeongjong
Places
Songgwangsa (Suseonsa), Suncheon

People

  • Jinul (National Preceptor Bojo)1158 – 1210

    leader · Monk who led the Suseonsa society and revived Seon as the Jogye order, teaching joint cultivation of meditation and wisdom

  • Hyesim (National Preceptor Jingak)1178 – 1234

    participant · Disciple and successor of Jinul at Suseonsa who taught the unity of Confucianism and Buddhism

  • Yose (National Preceptor Wonmyo)1163 – 1245

    related figure · Cheontae monk who led the White Lotus Society at Mandeoksa in Gangjin, stressing Lotus Sutra faith and repentance

Before and after

Earlier
1176 Uprising of Mangi and Mangsoi
Later
1193 Uprising of Kim Sa-mi and Hyo-sim