Wonhyo

Wonhyo was one of the most important philosophers and commentators in East Asian Buddhism and the most prolific scholar in Korean Buddhism. He was born in Amnyang, Gyeongsan, South Korea in 617 CE. He spent the earlier part of his career as a monk studying under various Korean Buddhist teachers and living in Hwangnyongsa Temple. He wrote over 80 works in 240 fascicles, covering various Buddhist texts and doctrines, such as the Vajrasamadhisutra, the Awakening of Faith, and the Mahaparinirvanasutra. His commentaries were widely respected throughout Korea, China, and Japan, and influenced many Buddhist schools and masters, such as Huayan, Kegon, and Gyeyul. He also founded the Beopsang school of Korean Buddhism, which focused on the harmonization of disputes among different sects and doctrines. He was known for his insight into the principle of mind-only (cittamatra), which he attained after a famous episode of drinking water from a human skull. He also advocated the concept of one-mind (ilseong), which means that all phenomena are ultimately not separate from the mind. He married Princess Yoseok, the daughter of King Munmu of Silla, and had two sons, Seol Chong and Won Gwang, who both became eminent scholars. He died at the age of 70 in 686 CE, while staying at Hyeolsa. His remains were interred by his son at Bunhwangsa, where a dedicated shrine to him was built. He is regarded as the greatest thinker of his time and his philosophy has become an integral part of the Korean Buddhist tradition.