Leading Korean Buddhist Seon Master, Venerable Go Woo Passes Away at Bongamsa Temple (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yuri Kim] Venerable Goyu, regarded as a representative Seon master of Korean Buddhism, passed away on the 29th. Having practiced Buddhism for 60 years and aged 85, the late monk, who had been receiving treatment for a chronic illness, entered nirvana around 3:30 PM at Bongamsa Temple in Mungyeong, Gyeongbuk.

Born in 1937 in Seongju, Gyeongbuk, the monk ordained at Sudu-am Hermitage in Gimcheon in his mid-20s. He loved reading since childhood and nurtured a dream of becoming a writer, but after contracting pulmonary tuberculosis during his military service, he sought treatment at Sudu-am Hermitage in Gimcheon in 1961 and embarked on the path of ordination. He later recalled that he became so engrossed in studying Buddhism at the hermitage that he stopped taking tuberculosis medicine, and his illness naturally healed.

In 1968, he gathered about ten Seon masters at Kimyongsa Temple in Mungyeong to revive Bongamsa Temple, which had been a center for Seon practice and a monastic training hall. Following the first monastic assembly led by Seongcheol Seon Master, he initiated the second assembly. Inviting contemporary Seon teachers, he revived the Seon spirit and assembly tradition of Bongamsa, and is credited with laying the foundation for Taego Seonwon, a Jogye Order-affiliated Seon monastery at Bongamsa.

In 1980, when the administrative functions of the Jogye Order were effectively paralyzed due to the 'October 27 Buddhist Persecution' by the Chun Doo-hwan military regime, he supported Ven. Tanseong of Bongamsa as the head of the Jogye Order’s central office and took on the role of director of general affairs himself to manage the aftermath of the persecution. After implementing reforms including constitutional amendments, the order returned to normal within three months.

In 2006, he founded Geumbongam Hermitage in Bonghwa, Gyeongbuk, where he resided and never hesitated to travel when called upon to give Seon Dharma talks. In 2007, he was appointed as a senior councilor of the Jogye Order and received the highest Dharma rank of Daejongsa (Great Patriarch).

The fundamental Buddhist teaching he followed was the Middle Way, and he viewed Seon (Zen) as the experiential practice of this principle. Although one’s mind is originally enlightened and perfected?referred to as 'Bonnaraeseongbul (本來成佛),' or inherent Buddhahood?people mistakenly believe themselves to be ordinary beings. He regarded the complete eradication of this delusion and misconception, called 'Hwaktcheoldaewo (廓徹大悟),' as the standard of enlightenment. To properly promote Seon meditation practice, he co-founded the National Association of Seon Monks in 1987 with fellow monk Jeokmyeong and served as co-representative.

Continuing his spiritual journey alongside Seon meditation, after turning 80, his vitality rapidly declined and he developed illnesses including diabetes, lung, and heart conditions. Recently, he was admitted to a hospital in the town of Bonghwa and later transferred to Dongguk University Hospital in Gyeongju for treatment.

As his health deteriorated, fellow monks moved him to the eastern chamber of Bongamsa Temple to pay their respects. After bidding his final farewell to the world, the monk quietly closed his eyes.

The funeral will be held over five days at Bongamsa Temple, presided over by the president of the National Association of Seon Monks. The farewell ceremony and cremation are scheduled for 10:30 AM on September 2.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.