The Buddha-Contemplation Son (_??__??__??_) of the Master Naong Hyoegun (_??__??__??__??_) in the Koryo (_??__??_) Period

Abstract

The lifetime of Master Naong Hyoegun (1320-1376) was a time of difficulty under the influence of the Yuan (_??_) Dynasty in China. Effort were made to repair the damage suffered by society and the Buddhist monastic commmunity at the end of Koryo Dynasty. Neo-Confucianists strongly criticized Buddhism.
While broadly spreading Master Dhyanabhadra's (_??__??_) No-mind Son (_??__??__??_) and Master P'yougsan Ch'orim's (_??__??__??__??_) Linji Son, Master Naong had much interest in Pure Land Contemplation Son (_??__??__??__??__??_) and taught his disciples and lay Buddhists accordingly. His thoughts mainly developed focusing on reciting the names of Buddha (_??__??__??__??_), Buddha Contemplation (_??__??__??__??_), and mind of Pure Land (_??__??__??__??_). In particular, he composed the ‘Songwoka’ (_??__??__??_) of Kasa (_??__??_), which was written in Korean language expressed in Chinese characters (I du munch'a _??__??__??__??_) in order for lay people to understand more easily. However, he did not present a koan method for Buddha Contemplation Son (_??__??__??__??__??_). His Dharma song which begins with “Where is Amita Buddha (_??__??__??__??__??__??__??_)—” is always recited in liturgical services and the grand Buddha Contemplation ritual in Korea today, and it is generally recited as a representative Dharma song of Buddha-Contemplation Son (_??__??__??_).