Korean Buddhism's Leading Seon Master Go U, Passes Away at Bongamsa Temple

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Yuri] Venerable Goyu, who devoted his life as a practitioner and sought to widely spread Seon (Zen), passed away on the 29th. He was 85 years old and had practiced Buddhism for 60 years.

He had been receiving treatment for a chronic illness and entered Nirvana around 3:30 PM at Bongamsa Temple in Bonghwa, Gyeongbuk.

Born in 1937 in Seongju, Gyeongbuk, the monk enlisted in the military and contracted pulmonary tuberculosis. In 1962, he visited Suduam Temple in Gimcheon to heal and subsequently entered monastic life. After his first retreat at Gilsang Seonwon of Myogwaneumsa Temple in Busan in 1966, he practiced diligently at various Seon centers, walking the path of meditation.

In 1968, together with fellow monks, he revived the legacy of Bongamsa Temple, which was a monastic community for collective practice, leading the second Bongamsa monastic assembly. In 1987, he co-founded the National Seonwon Sujwa Association with fellow monk Jeokmyeong and served as co-representative.

The monk’s funeral will be held for five days at Bongamsa Temple, conducted by the president of the National Seonwon Sujwa Association.

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