Man’gong Wŏlmyŏn Taesŏnsa-nim
76th Patriarch, Chogye Order
(1871 - 1946)

A leading Korean Sŏn master during the early twentieth century. Man’gong (dharma name, Wŏlmyŏn) received the dharma transmission from Kyŏnghŏ Sŏng’u, who is credited as the founder of modern Korean Buddhism. Born in March 7, 1871, Chŏnbuk, South Korea, Man’gong received the novice precepts at age fourteen at Ch’ŏnjangsa on Mt. Sŏ, from Taehŏ Sŏngwŏn, his master, and Kyŏnghŏ Sŏng’u, his preceptor. He learned the core of Sŏn Buddhism from Master Sŏng’u, who advised Man’gong to practice Zhaozhou’s mu hwadu (wu huatou). Like his mater, Kyŏnghŏ (1849–1912), and Wŏnhyo (617–686), long before him, Man’gong was known for his free life style. He made a great contribution to the revival of kanhwa Sŏn 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 ŏrok.

Zen Master Man’gong (1871–1946), who was Sŭngsan sŭnim’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 Kyeryŏng Mountain. His first teacher was Tae Heo Sŭnim, but from an early age he began to study with Zen Master Kyŏnghŏ.

Man’gong sŭnim attained enlightenment at an early age while staying at Chŏnjang’am near Sŏsan, and after receiving Dharma transmission from Zen Master Kyŏnghŏ, spent most of his life living and teaching near the temple Sudŏksa, on Dŏksŏng san mountain.

Man’gong sŭnim taught for many years and had numerous Dharma Disciples, including monks, nuns and laymen. During his final days, he resided at Jŏnwŏl’am, near the top of Dŏksŏng san mountain. He died at the age of 75, having been a monk for 62 years.