How Zen became Chan?
In this video, Juhn Ahn from the University of Michigan discusses the historical context surrounding the publication of Venerable Seongcheol’s book, “The Orthodox Path of the Sun School,” in 1981.
The book aimed to convince people who had lost faith in Buddhism that it was worth saving and practicing.
The video highlights the national conference for Buddhist clergy held in 1945, which led to the abolition of colonial-era temple law, and the establishment of the Kayaking at the monastery for clergy training.
The retreat societies at the monastery were established in 1947, in response to a retrogressive spirit that emphasized strict monastic rules and religious purity.
The video also discusses the retirement of Buddhist monks in post-war Korea, and the establishment of Toge Order by Tegupu, a non-celibate monk, in 1947.
The ongoing debate over the founding patriarch of Korean Sun monks has also been discussed.
References
- How Zen Became Chan: Presentations
- Sudden awakening makes precepts perfect: Ven. Seongcheol’s Seon doxography
- How Zen Became Chan – Conference Report by Marcel Werbik (English)
