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ReligionLate 7th century

Wonhyo Brings Buddhism to the People

Wonhyo taught the One Mind and the reconciliation of doctrines, and spread Pure Land devotion — salvation by chanting "Namu Amitabul" — among ordinary people.

Bogwangjeon hall at Bunhwangsa, Gyeongju — the temple where Wonhyo lived and wrote
Bogwangjeon hall at Bunhwangsa, Gyeongju — the temple where Wonhyo lived and wrote

Alain Seguin · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source

Setting out for Tang with Uisang in 661, Wonhyo is said to have drunk water at night in a tomb and found at dawn that it had pooled in a skull; realizing that "all things are made by the mind", he turned back. He taught that everything arises from the One Mind (ilsim), and that the disputes of the schools could be reconciled at a higher level (hwajaeng). His works include commentaries on the Awakening of Faith and the Vajrasamadhi Sutra and the Simmun hwajaeng-non.

Wonhyo taught that anyone could reach the Western Paradise simply by chanting "Namu Amitabul", and wandered the villages singing his Muae-ga, turning Buddhism from a faith of the aristocracy into one of the people. His son by Princess Yoseok was Seol Chong.

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The map in AD 661

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States and rulers at the time
Silla — King Munmu
Places
Bunhwangsa Temple, Gyeongju

People

  • WonhyoAD 617 – AD 686

    leader · Silla monk who taught the One Mind and hwajaeng (reconciliation of doctrines) and spread Pure Land devotion to ordinary people; author of commentaries on the Awakening of Faith and the Vajrasamadhi Sutra

Before and after

Earlier
AD 660 Fall of Baekje
Later
AD 668 Fall of Goguryeo