THE DIARY OF A KOREAN ZEN MONK

THE DIARY OF A KOREAN ZEN MONK

■ Writer: JI HEO(Korean Zen Monk)

JI HEO While there is no record of Venerable Ji Heo's birth, he apparently entered the monastic life between 1957 and 1958. Records indicate that he became a monk when he was a student at Seoul National University and that he practiced at a hermitage about eight km from Jeongamsa in Jeongseon, Gangwon Province for a year between 1962 and 1963. He purportedly died in 1975 but this, too, is uncertain.

- Translation and Notes by Jong Kweon Yi & Frank Tedesco

■ Introduction

The 1700-year old Korean Buddhist tradition has many diverse practices, handed down over the years. Of these practices, Seon (Zen) meditation practice stands out as the most representative of Korean Buddhism. It has thrived over the years in an unbroken lineage. The Seon tradition began to flourish on a wide scale from the latter Shilla Period (9th century) to the early Goryeo Period (10th century) when the Nine Mountain Seon Gate was established. Thereafter, many great Seon masters practiced and transmitted the Seon lineage throughout the Goryeo and Joseon periods.

The contemplative tradition of meditation (Seon) is the path to enlightenment, and is the main Buddhist practice. It has stood the test of time and can be said to be the most authentic practice method.

Every year, over 3000 monks and nuns continue this meditative tradition in the three-month summer and threemonth winter retreats in meditation halls (Seonbang) throughout South Korea. Diary of a Korean Zen Monk is a three-month record written by Ven. Jiheo of his experience in the Seon retreat at Sangwonsa Temple on Odae Mountain in 1973. Not only is this a good record in which each episode reveals the feel and view of Seon meditation retreats in the 1970s, but also we can really sense the intense energy of the meditation monks seeking enlightenment. Likewise, we can satisfy our curiosity of what happens behind the doors of the mysterious world of the Seon meditation retreat.

The Association of Korean Buddhist Orders has published this book to share with the world the unique and enduring Korean Seon meditation culture. We expect this book will help expand understanding of Korean Buddhism in the increasingly interdependent global community. We hope the foreign monastics in Korea, world Buddhists, and anyone interested in Korean culture will get to know Korean Buddhism more intimately through “Diary of a Korean Zen Monk.”

Although Ven. Jiheo’s current whereabouts is unknown, we express our gratitude to him for this precious record. It is our hope this book will be widely read as an introduction to Korean Buddhism. We are also grateful for the good translation by Jong Kweon Yi and Dr. Frank M. Tedesco.


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