Nine mountain schools
Encyclopedia
The nine mountain schools (九山; or gusan) were the initial monasteries
of the Korean
branch of Buddhism
called Seon
, founded in the Unified Silla period
in the 8th or 9th century.
The initial transmission of Seon into Korea is usually attributed to Beomnang (法朗; fl. 632-646), said to be a student of the Chinese master Daoxin (道信; 580-651). Seon was later popularized especially by Sinhaeng (神行; 704-779) in the latter part of the eighth century and by Doui (道義; d. 825) at the beginning of the ninth century. From then on, many Koreans studied Chan
in China and, upon their return, established their own schools at various mountain monasteries with their leading disciples.
The number of these schools was initially fixed to nine, whence the name derives. Eight of these schools were of the lineage of Mazu Daoyi
(馬祖道一; 709-788), as they were established through connection with either him or one of his eminent disciples:
The ninth of these initial schools was the Sumi san (須彌山) school founded by Ieom (利嚴; 869-936), which had developed from the Caodong
(曹洞) lineage.
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
of the Korean
Korean Buddhism
Korean Buddhism is distinguished from other forms of Buddhism by its attempt to resolve what it sees as inconsistencies in Mahayana Buddhism. Early Korean monks believed that the traditions they received from foreign countries were internally inconsistent. To address this, they developed a new...
branch of Buddhism
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
called Seon
Zen
Zen is a school of Mahāyāna Buddhism founded by the Buddhist monk Bodhidharma. The word Zen is from the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese word Chán , which in turn is derived from the Sanskrit word dhyāna, which can be approximately translated as "meditation" or "meditative state."Zen...
, founded in the Unified Silla period
Silla
Silla was one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, and one of the longest sustained dynasties in...
in the 8th or 9th century.
The initial transmission of Seon into Korea is usually attributed to Beomnang (法朗; fl. 632-646), said to be a student of the Chinese master Daoxin (道信; 580-651). Seon was later popularized especially by Sinhaeng (神行; 704-779) in the latter part of the eighth century and by Doui (道義; d. 825) at the beginning of the ninth century. From then on, many Koreans studied Chan
Zen
Zen is a school of Mahāyāna Buddhism founded by the Buddhist monk Bodhidharma. The word Zen is from the Japanese pronunciation of the Chinese word Chán , which in turn is derived from the Sanskrit word dhyāna, which can be approximately translated as "meditation" or "meditative state."Zen...
in China and, upon their return, established their own schools at various mountain monasteries with their leading disciples.
The number of these schools was initially fixed to nine, whence the name derives. Eight of these schools were of the lineage of Mazu Daoyi
Mazu Daoyi
Mazu Daoyi was a Ch'an Buddhist master in China during the Tang dynasty. In dharma-succession through Nanyue to the Sixth Patriarch, Mazu Daoyi contributed far-reaching insights and changes in teaching methods regarding the transmission of awareness...
(馬祖道一; 709-788), as they were established through connection with either him or one of his eminent disciples:
- The Gaji san school (迦智山), established at Borimsa (寶林寺) under the influence of Doui and his grand-student Chejing (體澄; 804-890). Doui studied in China under Zhizang (735-814) and BaizhangBaizhangBaizhang Huaihai was a Chinese Zen master during the Tang Dynasty. He was a dharma heir of Mazu Daoyi . Baizhang's students included Huangbo, Linji and Puhua....
(百丈; 749-814). - The Seongju san school (聖住山), established by Muyeom (無染; 800-888) who received his inga from Magu Baozhe (麻谷寶徹; b. 720?).
- The Silsangsan school (實相山), founded by Hongcheok (洪陟; fl. 830), who also studied under Zhizang.
- The Huiyang san school (曦陽山), founded by Beomnang and Chiseon Doheon (智詵道憲; 824-882), who was taught by a Korean teacher of the Mazu transmission.
- The Bongnim san school (鳳林山), established by Weongam (圓鑑; 787-869) and his student Simhui (審希; fl. 9c). Weongam was a student of Zhangjing Huaihui (章敬懷暉; 748-835).
- The Dongni san school (桐裡山), established by Hyejeol (慧徹; 785-861) who was a student of Zhizang.
- The Sagul san school (闍崛山), established by Beom'il (梵日; 810-889), who studied in China with Yanguan Qian (鹽官齊安; 750?-842) and Yuesha Weiyan (樂山惟嚴).
- The Saja san school (獅子山), established by Doyun (道允; 797-868), who studied under Nanquan Puyan (南泉普願; 748-835).
The ninth of these initial schools was the Sumi san (須彌山) school founded by Ieom (利嚴; 869-936), which had developed from the Caodong
Caodong
Cáodòng is a Chinese Zen Buddhist sect founded by Dongshan Liangjie and his Dharma-heirs in the 9th century. Some attribute the name "Cáodòng" as a union of "Dongshan" and "Caoshan" from one of his Dharma-heirs, Caoshan Benji; however, the "Cao" much more likely came from Cáoxī , the...
(曹洞) lineage.