Chunseong facts for kids

Chunseong (Hangul: 춘성; Hanja: 春城), born Lee Chang-nim (이창림, 李昌林; March 30, 1891 – August 22, 1977), was a famous Buddhist monk, scholar, poet, writer, and thinker from Korea. He was also known by his courtesy name, Muaedoin (무애도인, 無碍道人).

A Young Monk's Journey

Chunseong was born on March 30, 1891, in Inje county, Gangwon Province. He was the fifth son of Lee In-oh and Lady Park of Milyang. His family was from the Pyeongchang Lee clan.

Becoming a Monk

When he was young, Chunseong went to Baekdamsa, a well-known Buddhist temple in Inje. He wanted to become a monk, but the abbess, Manhae Han Yong-un, first said no because he was too young. However, when he was fifteen, he finally became a Buddhist monk. He learned from Manhae Han Yong-un, who became his teacher.

Chunseong had to study important Buddhist scriptures like the Hwaeomgyeong and Geumganggyeong. He studied them so well that he could even recite the Hwaeomgyeong backwards! Because of this, people called him "Hwaeom monk."

Standing Up for Korea

In 1918, Chunseong's teacher, Han Yong-un, started a magazine called Yusim. It was meant to make Buddhism interesting for young people. The next year, Han Yong-un was put in prison because he was part of the March 1 movement. This movement was a big protest for Korea's independence from Japan.

Chunseong stayed loyal to his teacher while he was in prison. He was the only head monk who visited him regularly and sent him food and supplies. Even though his temple had plenty of firewood, Chunseong refused to use any heat during winter. He slept in a freezing cold room. He said, "My teacher is shivering in a cold cell because he was captured by the Japanese while fighting for independence. So how can I, his student, sleep in a warm room?"

Living Simply

Chunseong believed in living a very simple life.

No Blankets

Throughout his life, Chunseong slept without a quilt or blanket. In Korean, the word for quilt is "Yibul." This word also sounds like "to separate from Buddha." Because of this, Chunseong refused to sleep with a blanket. He did not want to feel separated from Buddha.

Giving Everything Away

Chunseong also believed in not owning many things. If his followers gave him clothes, he would often give them to people who were homeless or in need. Sometimes, he would even have to hide his body until he could get back to the temple at night. He also gave away all the money he received from his followers.

During the Korean War

In the 1940s, the Japanese rulers wanted Koreans to change their names to Japanese names. This was called Sōshi-kaimei. Chunseong was told to do this, but he refused.

In 1944, he went to Doksungsan Sudeok Temple. There, he studied with a famous monk named Mangong Song Wolmyon. Mangong was a top teacher of Ganhwaseon, a special kind of Buddhist meditation. Chunseong trained under him. In 1946, he returned to Mangwol Temple as its head.

During the Korean War in 1950, Chunseong had to leave Mangwol Temple for a while. After the war ended, he returned to his monks. He worked to keep the Ganhwaseon tradition and Mangwol Temple safe during the war. In the 1950s, he became the abbot (head monk) of Mangwol Temple, Shinheung Temple, and Bomun Temple.

Later Life and Legacy

In the 1960s, Chunseong was invited to Chungwadae, which is like the Blue House in South Korea. The First Lady, Yuk Young-su, was a devoted Buddhist.

From 1970 to 1973, he practiced a very strict form of meditation called Jangjabulwa. This meant he would sit for long periods without lying down. In 1973, he also took part in public campaigns to encourage safe driving and sobriety.

His Passing

Chunseong passed away in 1977 at Mangwolsa, in Uijongbu. He was 86 years old.

At his funeral, he did not have a fancy coffin. His body was simply covered with a straw mat. The funeral was short, and the monks sang a song called "Grief of a Drifter." His ashes are kept at Bongkuk Temple in Seongnam.

For a long time after his death, Chunseong's name was not often talked about in South Korea. This was because some of his words and actions were seen as controversial, and also because of the strong influence of Confucianism in society. However, in the 1990s, people started to talk about him more. By the early 2000s, South Korean TV shows began to share his stories and teachings.

See also

• Korean Buddhism
• Korean Seon