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Wonhyo

Type Figure Region Silla Time 617–686 Also known as Master Wonhyo、Wonhwa

Wonhyo (617–686) was one of the most outstanding Buddhist monks of Unified Silla, renowned for synthesizing various schools and writing prolifically.

Timeline

  1. 617–650around Gyeongju · GyeongjuWonhyo's lay surname was Xue; he entered monastic life young and studied Buddhist scriptures with classmates such as Uisang. He once planned to cross the sea to Tang China to obtain scriptures, but turned back after an insight en route and began exploring a practice path suited to Silla society.
  2. 650–686Geumseong (Gyeongju) · GeumseongIn his later years Wonhyo wrote prolifically, synthesizing Yogācāra, Huayan, and Nirvana scriptures, proposing ideas such as 'one mind' and 'skillful means,' and participating in royal Buddhist rituals. His thought helped Buddhism penetrate the common people and influenced later Korean and Japanese Buddhism. He died in Gyeongju in 686.

Sources