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Naong — an imagined portraitAn imagined portrait

Naong Hyegeun

1320–1376

Naong, who said right here

Right now, clear and bright before your eyes, who is it that hears these words? Each of you, look into it.
Game 7 · Reconstruction; paraphrase; Recorded Sayings of Naong, a public sermon

Overview

Naong Hyegeun was a Seon (Zen) monk, born in 1320 in Yeonghae-bu, Goryeo, who died in 1376 at Silleuksa temple in Yeoheung (today's Yeoju). Record

He crossed to Yuan China, studied under Jigong and Pingshan Chulin, and returned to Goryeo in 1358. Record

In 1371 he became royal teacher to King Gongmin and rebuilt Hoeamsa temple in Yangju on a large scale. Record

In 1376, when crowds flocked to his gathering at Hoeamsa, the court sent him to Milseong (today's Miryang), and he died at Silleuksa on the way. Record

His words and poems survive in the Recorded Sayings of the Venerable Naong and the Songs (Gasong), compiled by his disciples. Record

Sources are listed in their original Korean.

Timeline

  1. 1320

    He was born in Yeonghae-bu on the 15th day of the first lunar month. His family name was A (牙), and his first name was Wonhye. Record

    Yi Saek, 'Stupa inscription of the Venerable Boje, posthumously titled Seongak' (普濟尊者諡禪覺塔銘, 1377) — Complete Works of Korean Buddhism, vol. 6, 709a–711a, Dongguk University ABC ABC_BJ_H0103_T_003 710a–b (延祐庚申正月十五日生) · Gakgoeng, 'Biography of the Venerable Naong' (懶翁和尙行狀) — Complete Works of Korean Buddhism, vol. 6, 703a–709a, ABC_BJ_H0103_T_002 · Encyclopedia of Korean Culture, 'Hyegeun' Encykorea

  2. 1339

    Around the age of twenty, when a friend next door died, he asked the elders, 'Where do people go when they die?', but no one knew. He went to Yoyeon on Mt Gongdeok and became a monk. Record

    Yi Saek, 'Stupa inscription' (1377) — Complete Works of Korean Buddhism, vol. 6, 709a–711a, Dongguk University ABC ABC_BJ_H0103_T_003 710b (年甫冠 隣友亡 問諸父老曰 死何之) · Gakgoeng, 'Biography' — Complete Works of Korean Buddhism, vol. 6, 703a–709a, ABC_BJ_H0103_T_002 (年至二十) · Encyclopedia of Korean Culture, 'Hyegeun' Encykorea (1339, aged 20)

  3. 1344

    He entered Hoeamsa temple in Yangju and practised sitting alone day and night. The biography records that after four years of hard practice he suddenly awakened. Record

    Yi Saek, 'Stupa inscription' (1377) — Complete Works of Korean Buddhism, vol. 6, 709a–711a, Dongguk University ABC ABC_BJ_H0103_T_003 710b (至正甲申 至檜巖 晝夜獨坐 忽得開悟) · Gakgoeng, 'Biography' — Complete Works of Korean Buddhism, vol. 6, 703a–709a, ABC_BJ_H0103_T_002 (勤脩四載) · Encyclopedia of Korean Culture, 'Hyegeun' Encykorea (four years of practice)

  4. 1347–1350

    He set out for Yuan China in the eleventh lunar month of 1347, met and studied under Jigong in Dadu in 1348, and met Pingshan Chulin in Jiangnan in 1350. Record

    Gakgoeng, 'Biography' — Complete Works of Korean Buddhism, vol. 6, 703a–709a, ABC_BJ_H0103_T_002 (丁亥十一月 發足向北 · 戊子三月十三日 大都法源寺) · Yi Saek, 'Stupa inscription' (1377) — Complete Works of Korean Buddhism, vol. 6, 709a–711a, Dongguk University ABC ABC_BJ_H0103_T_003 710b (戊子三月 至燕都 叅指空 · 秋八月 叅平山) · Encyclopedia of Korean Culture, 'Hyegeun' Encykorea

  5. 1355

    In the autumn, by order of the Yuan emperor, he stayed at Guangji Temple in Dadu. At the opening ceremony of his teaching on the 15th day of the tenth lunar month of the following year, the emperor sent an envoy (wonsa) to present him with a gold-brocade robe. Record

    Yi Saek, 'Stupa inscription' (1377) — Complete Works of Korean Buddhism, vol. 6, 709a–711a, Dongguk University ABC ABC_BJ_H0103_T_003 710c (乙未秋 奉聖旨 住大都廣濟寺 · 帝遣院使) · Gakgoeng, 'Biography' — Complete Works of Korean Buddhism, vol. 6, 703a–709a, ABC_BJ_H0103_T_002 · Encyclopedia of Korean Culture, 'Hyegeun' Encykorea

  6. 1358

    In the third lunar month he took leave of Jigong and returned to Goryeo, a little more than ten years after setting out for Yuan. Record

    Gakgoeng, 'Biography' — Complete Works of Korean Buddhism, vol. 6, 703a–709a, ABC_BJ_H0103_T_002 (戊戌三月二十三日 禮辭指空) · Yi Saek, 'Stupa inscription' (1377) — Complete Works of Korean Buddhism, vol. 6, 709a–711a, Dongguk University ABC ABC_BJ_H0103_T_003 710c (戊戌春 辭指空) · Encyclopedia of Korean Culture, 'Hyegeun' Encykorea · Uri Yeoksanet, 'Naong Hyegeun' Urihistory

  7. 1361

    In the winter King Gongmin summoned him to the palace, heard his teaching, and had him stay at Singwangsa temple. Record

    Yi Saek, 'Stupa inscription' (1377) — Complete Works of Korean Buddhism, vol. 6, 709a–711a, Dongguk University ABC ABC_BJ_H0103_T_003 710c (辛丑冬 … 請住神光寺) · Gakgoeng, 'Biography' — Complete Works of Korean Buddhism, vol. 6, 703a–709a, ABC_BJ_H0103_T_002 · Encyclopedia of Korean Culture, 'Hyegeun' Encykorea

  8. 1361

    In the eleventh lunar month, when the Red Turbans swept through the capital region, the monks begged him to flee. He answered, 'I only keep to my fate (命); what can the bandits do?' Record

    Yi Saek, 'Stupa inscription' (1377) — Complete Works of Korean Buddhism, vol. 6, 709a–711a, Dongguk University ABC ABC_BJ_H0103_T_003 710c (唯命是保 賊何能爲) · Gakgoeng, 'Biography' — Complete Works of Korean Buddhism, vol. 6, 703a–709a, ABC_BJ_H0103_T_002 (唯命是保 賊軰何關汝事)

  9. 1370

    In the ninth lunar month he presided at Gwangmyeongsa over the gongbuseon (功夫選), an examination of monks' practice, which King Gongmin came to watch in person. Record

    Yi Saek, 'Stupa inscription' (1377) — Complete Works of Korean Buddhism, vol. 6, 709a–711a, Dongguk University ABC ABC_BJ_H0103_T_003 709a–b · Gakgoeng, 'Biography' — Complete Works of Korean Buddhism, vol. 6, 703a–709a, ABC_BJ_H0103_T_002 · Encyclopedia of Korean Culture, 'Hyegeun' Encykorea

  10. 1371

    On the 26th day of the eighth lunar month he was invested as royal teacher to King Gongmin, received the title 'Boje Jonja', and came to stay at Songgwangsa temple. Record

    Yi Saek, 'Stupa inscription' (1377) — Complete Works of Korean Buddhism, vol. 6, 709a–711a, Dongguk University ABC ABC_BJ_H0103_T_003 709b (辛亥八月二十六日 … 封爲王師) · Gakgoeng, 'Biography' — Complete Works of Korean Buddhism, vol. 6, 703a–709a, ABC_BJ_H0103_T_002 · Encyclopedia of Korean Culture, 'Hyegeun' Encykorea

  11. 1372–1376

    In the autumn of 1372 he moved to Hoeamsa, and, carrying on the wish of his teacher Jigong, led the work of rebuilding Hoeamsa on a large scale. His disciple Gakgoeng's biography records that when, at the king's request, he came to stay at Hoeamsa again in the spring of 1374, he had the community rebuild its halls. Record

    Encyclopedia of Korean Culture, 'Hyegeun' Encykorea (rebuilding begun 1374) · Uri Yeoksanet, 'Naong Hyegeun' Urihistory (from 1374) · Yi Saek, 'Stupa inscription' (1377) — Complete Works of Korean Buddhism, vol. 6, 709a–711a, Dongguk University ABC ABC_BJ_H0103_T_003 709b (壬子秋 … 欲移錫檜巖 … 得請居焉 … 迺謀於衆 增廣殿宇 工旣告畢 丙辰四月 大設落成之會 — does not give the starting year) · Gakgoeng, 'Biography' — Complete Works of Korean Buddhism, vol. 6, ABC_BJ_H0103_T_002 707b

  12. 1376

    On the 15th day of the fourth lunar month, people high and low flocked to the ceremony celebrating the completion of Hoeamsa until the temple gate was jammed. The History of Goryeo records that the Office of the Inspector-General (Saheonbu) and the State Council (Dodang) tried to stop it but could not. The court ordered him moved to Yeongwonsa temple in Milseong. Record

    History of Goryeo (Goryeosa), juan 133, biographies 46, King U, year 2, 4th month · Essentials of the History of Goryeo (Goryeosa jeoryo), juan 30, King U, year 2, 4th month (original text at zh.wikisource) (中外士女 無貴賤 … 放于慶尙道密城郡) · Yi Saek, 'Stupa inscription' (1377) — Complete Works of Korean Buddhism, vol. 6, 709a–711a, Dongguk University ABC ABC_BJ_H0103_T_003 709b (移住瑩源寺) · Gakgoeng, 'Biography' — Complete Works of Korean Buddhism, vol. 6, 703a–709a, ABC_BJ_H0103_T_002 (四月十五日 大設落成會) · Encyclopedia of Korean Culture, 'Bell-shaped stupa of the Venerable Boje at Silleuksa, Yeoju' E0032895 (Yeongwonsa in Miryang)

  13. 1376

    Leaving while ill, he said to the weeping crowd, 'Strive, and strive; do not give up because of me.' After seven days going upriver by boat he reached Silleuksa in Yeoheung, and he died there in the morning (the hour of jin) on the 15th day of the fifth lunar month. Record

    Yi Saek, 'Stupa inscription' (1377) — Complete Works of Korean Buddhism, vol. 6, 709a–711a, Dongguk University ABC ABC_BJ_H0103_T_003 710a (努力努力 無以余故中輟也 · 泝流七日 · 五月十五日 … 辰時 寂然而逝) · Gakgoeng, 'Biography' — Complete Works of Korean Buddhism, vol. 6, 703a–709a, ABC_BJ_H0103_T_002 · History of Goryeo, juan 133, biographies 46, King U, year 2, 4th month · Essentials of the History of Goryeo, juan 30, King U, year 2, 4th month (original text at zh.wikisource) (行至驪興神勒寺死)

  14. 1377

    The court conferred on him the posthumous title 'Seongak' (禪覺), and a stele bearing the stupa inscription written by Yi Saek was erected at Hoeamsa. Record

    Yi Saek, 'Stupa inscription' (1377) — Complete Works of Korean Buddhism, vol. 6, 709a–711a, Dongguk University ABC ABC_BJ_H0103_T_003 710a, 711a (諡曰禪覺 命臣穡爲文 · 宣光七年 立) · Encyclopedia of Korean Culture, 'Hyegeun' Encykorea (stele at Hoeamsa, 1377)

  15. 1379

    A bell-shaped stupa enshrining his relics, and a stele for it with a text written by Yi Saek, were erected at Silleuksa. Record

    Digital Humanities (AKS), 'Stele text of the bell-shaped stupa of the Venerable Boje at Silleuksa, Yeoju' (written by Yi Saek, 蒼龍己未) dh.aks.ac.kr · Encyclopedia of Korean Culture, 'Bell-shaped stupa of the Venerable Boje at Silleuksa, Yeoju' E0032895 (1379, Treasure)

Key ideas

Who is it that is listening now?

He told his listeners that each of them should look into who it is that, right now, clear before their eyes, hears these words, and who it is that joins palms and bows. Record · Paraphrase

Recorded Sayings of the Venerable Naong — Complete Works of Korean Buddhism, vol. 6, ABC_BJ_H0103_T_004, public sermon 715a (只這目前 孤明歷歷 能聽普說者是誰 … 各自點撿看) · Yi Saek, 'Stupa inscription' (1377) — Complete Works of Korean Buddhism, vol. 6, 709a–711a, Dongguk University ABC ABC_BJ_H0103_T_003 710b, the exchange at his ordination (此能言能聽者)

The mind is always before your eyes

He said that this mind is always before your eyes, yet cannot be seen when you try to see it, and the harder you seek it, the farther away it goes. Record · Paraphrase

Recorded Sayings of the Venerable Naong — Complete Works of Korean Buddhism, vol. 6, ABC_BJ_H0103_T_004, 'Public sermon at the request of Minister Jo on the day of self-examination' (自恣日趙尙書請普說) 714c (此心常在目前 … 着意求之 轉求轉遠) · same book, public sermon 715a (只這目前)

Looking within when in pain, and when in turmoil

To a sick monk he said to look into where the present pain comes from, and what this is that knows the pain. To another disciple he said not to break off the question he held (hwadu), whether in quiet or in turmoil, and that when one reaches the point where the hwadu shows itself of its own accord, in joy and in anger alike, awakening is near. Record · Paraphrase

Recorded Sayings of the Venerable Naong — Complete Works of Korean Buddhism, vol. 6, ABC_BJ_H0103_T_004, 'To the meditator Un, who was ill' (因雲禪者有疾示之) 724c · 'To the attendant Jideuk' (示志得侍者) 724c–725a

In their words

Right here before your eyes, alone and clear and bright — who is it that hears this sermon? Who is it that joins palms in greeting? Who is it that bows the head in worship? Each of you, look into it.

只這目前 孤明歷歷 能聽普說者是誰 合掌問訊底是誰 低頭禮拜底是誰 各自點撿看

Recorded Sayings of the Venerable Naong, public sermon (普說) — Complete Works of Korean Buddhism, vol. 6, 715a · translated from the Classical Chinese by Great Games of Thought Record · Quotation
Where does the present pain and suffering come from? And what is this that knows the pain? Look into it in this way.

現今痛苦者 從何處來 又能知痛者 是个甚麽 請如此審察

Recorded Sayings of the Venerable Naong, 'To the meditator Un, who was ill' (因雲禪者有疾示之) — Complete Works of Korean Buddhism, vol. 6, 724c · translated from the Classical Chinese by Great Games of Thought Record · Quotation
This that can speak and can hear is what has come. I only do not yet know the way to practise and advance.

此能言能聽者 能來爾 但未知脩進之術

Yi Saek, 'Stupa inscription' (1377) — Complete Works of Korean Buddhism, vol. 6, 710b · Gakgoeng, 'Biography', 703a (wording slightly different) · translated from the Classical Chinese by Great Games of Thought Record · Quotation
(A monk asked) When the four elements of the body scatter, where does one go? (The master brought his two fists to his chest) Only, it is here.

四大各離 向什麽處去 … 師交拳當心云 只在這裏

Gakgoeng, 'Biography of the Venerable Naong' — Complete Works of Korean Buddhism, vol. 6, 708a · translated from the Classical Chinese by Great Games of Thought Record · Quotation

Times and influence

Naong travelled between Dadu, the capital of Yuan China, and Jiangnan, studying under Jigong and Pingshan Chulin, and by the Yuan emperor's order he also stayed at Guangji Temple in Dadu. In 1361 the Red Turbans swept through the region of Goryeo's capital, and the court fled south. The year of his death, 1376, was the second year of King U, and the History of Goryeo records the event in the biography of King U.

His words and poems survive in the Recorded Sayings of the Venerable Naong and the Songs (Gasong). The bell-shaped stupa erected at Silleuksa in 1379 is designated a Treasure. His disciples, including Muhak Jacho, continued Buddhist works in his memory after his death.

Common misconceptions

Books to read

Appears in

A Western friar in a white habit and a monk in robes seated together at a wooden table by a window with a view of mountains0710:18

Game 7·Eckhart×Naong

What Gets You Through a Hard Day?