Naong Hyegeun
Naong Hyegeun
1320 – 1376
Naong Hyegeun (懶翁惠勤, 1320–1376) was — alongside Taego Bou — the second great late-Goryeo master through whom Yuan-dynasty Chinese Chan reached Korea, and the teacher who carried the dharma into the early Joseon[1]. Travelling to Yuan China in 1347, he studied at the great Mongol-period monastery on Mount Yan, received Linji transmission from Pingshan Chulin, and crossed paths with the Indian master Zhikong (Śūnyādiśya), whose memory he later helped to establish in Korea[1]. On returning to Korea he served as Royal Preceptor under King Gongmin and re-articulated the inheritance from China through hwadu practice. His most consequential disciple, Muhak Jacho, in turn taught Hamheo Gihwa and became state preceptor to the founding Joseon king Yi Seong-gye — making Naong the conduit through which the late-Goryeo Linji line continued, however precariously, into the Confucian-suppressed early Joseon[2].
Names
Disciples of Naong Hyegeun
Teachings
Blue mountains do not move; white clouds come and go. The dharma body is just this — neither coming nor going. Students chase the clouds, not seeing the mountains. Stop chasing. Look directly. The mountains have never moved.
- dialogueMeeting Zhikong in Yuan China
When Naong Hyegeun went to study in Yuan dynasty China, he sought out the Indian master Zhikong (Indicaprabha) at the capital. At their first meeting, Zhikong said: 'Where do you come from?' Naong said: 'From Goryeo, in the east.' Zhikong said: 'How far is that?' Naong said: 'Not a single step away.' Zhikong said: 'And what teaching did you bring?' Naong held out his empty hands. Zhikong smiled and said: 'Goryeo is indeed not far. Sit down.' After many months of study, Zhikong gave Naong a formal gāthā of transmission, pronouncing him fit to carry the Linji school back to his homeland. Naong later said of this: 'Zhikong certified what was already there. He did not add anything.'
Other masters in Seon
Master Record Sources
- biographyThe Formation of Ch'an Ideology in China and Korea — Robert E. Buswell
- teachersThe Zen Monastic Experience — Robert E. Buswell