Seon

Seon

Seon

Branch of Chan

Seon (禪, 선) is the Korean tradition of Chan Buddhism, introduced to the Korean peninsula beginning in the seventh century by monks who had studied in Tang dynasty China. The earliest transmissions came through figures like Toui, who received dharma transmission from Baizhang Huaihai's lineage and established the first Seon school upon returning to Korea. During the Goryeo dynasty, Bojo Jinul (1158–1210) became the tradition's most influential reformer, synthesizing Seon meditation with Hwaeom (Huayan) doctrinal study and establishing the Jogye Order, which remains the dominant Buddhist institution in Korea today. Korean Seon developed a distinctive character: it preserved the intensity of Tang dynasty Chan practice—particularly the hwadu (huatou) method of koan investigation—while integrating it with a broader Buddhist framework. The tradition also maintained a strong emphasis on extended silent retreat, culminating in the modern Korean practice of three-month intensive meditation seasons (kyolche). Major modern figures include Gyeongheo, who revived the dying Seon tradition in the late nineteenth century, and Seongcheol, who insisted on sudden awakening as the only authentic path.