Man’gong Wolmyeon Soensanim
76th Ancestor, Jogye Order
(1871 - 1946)
A leading Korean Soen master during the early twentieth century. Man’gong (dharma name, Wolmyeon) received Inga from Gyeongheo Seong’u, who is credited as the founder of modern Korean Buddhism. Born in March 7, 1871, Choenbuk, South Korea, Man’gong received the novice precepts at age fourteen at Ch’oenjangsa on Mt. So, from Taeheo Seongwon, his master, and Gyeongheo Seong’u, his preceptor. He learned the core of Seon Buddhism from Master Seong’u, who advised Man’gong to practice Zhàozhōu’s Wu huàtóu. Like his mater, Gyeongheo (1849–1912), and Wonhyo (617–686), long before him, Man’gong was known for his free life style. He made a great contribution to the revival of Kànhuà Chán tradition in modern Korea, with a teaching that everything depends on the mind. During the Japanese colonial period (1910–1945) Man’gong was a severe critic of the colonial government’s policy to assimilate Korean Buddhism to the Japanese Buddhist style, which included such practices as marriage among Buddhist monks, which Korean Buddhism considered as corruption. Man’gong was also praised for his unusual level of support for nuns, who have traditionally been relegated to a subservient status in the Korean Buddhist tradition. Man’gong’s teachings are collected in the Man’gong orok.
Zen Master Man’gong (1871–1946), who was Seung Sahn Sunim’s Grand teacher, was born in a small town in the Korean province of Cholla Bukdo. He became a monk in the year 1883 at the temple Donghaksa on Kyeryeong Mountain. His first teacher was Tae Heo Sŭnim, but from an early age he began to study with Zen Master Gyeongheo.
Man’gong Sunim attained enlightenment at an early age while staying at Cheonjang’am near Sosan, and after receiving Dharma transmission from Zen Master Gyeongheo, spent most of his life living and teaching near the temple Sudŏksa, on Dokseong San.
Man’gong Sunim taught for many years and had numerous Dharma Disciples, including monks, nuns and laymen. During his final days, he resided at Jeonwol’am, near the top of Dokseong San He died at the age of 75, having been a monk for 62 years.
Zen Master Man’gong (1871–1946), who was Seung Sahn Sunim’s Grand teacher, was born in a small town in the Korean province of Cholla Bukdo. He became a monk in the year 1883 at the temple Donghaksa on Kyeryeong Mountain. His first teacher was Tae Heo Sŭnim, but from an early age he began to study with Zen Master Gyeongheo.
Man’gong Sunim attained enlightenment at an early age while staying at Cheonjang’am near Sosan, and after receiving Dharma transmission from Zen Master Gyeongheo, spent most of his life living and teaching near the temple Sudŏksa, on Dokseong San.
Man’gong Sunim taught for many years and had numerous Dharma Disciples, including monks, nuns and laymen. During his final days, he resided at Jeonwol’am, near the top of Dokseong San He died at the age of 75, having been a monk for 62 years.
