1001Philosophers

Uisang vs Wonhyo

Uisang and Wonhyo are the two great Korean Buddhist philosophers of the Silla period, born within a few years of each other and lifelong companions until their decisive parting. Together they are the foundation of the Korean Buddhist philosophical tradition.

At a glance

UisangWonhyo
Dates625 – 702617 – 686
NationalityKoreanKorean
EraMedievalMedieval
Movements Buddhism Buddhism
Profile Uisang → Wonhyo →

Where they agree

Both worked to bring Indian and Chinese Buddhist philosophy into Korea, both held that the Mahayana tradition could be reconciled with itself across its competing schools, and both used commentary and synthesis as their primary philosophical instruments. Both influenced Korean Buddhism for the next thirteen centuries.

Where they disagree

Uisang traveled to Tang China and studied with the Chinese Hwaeom master Zhiyan, becoming the founder of the Korean Hwaeom school upon his return. Wonhyo turned back from his journey to China after his celebrated awakening from drinking water from a skull, and remained in Korea preaching among ordinary people rather than working within an institutional school. Uisang's philosophical legacy is the Korean Hwaeom synthesis of Avatamsaka Buddhism, condensed in his 210-character diagram; Wonhyo's is the integrative philosophy of the One Mind, which sought to reconcile rather than choose between the rival Mahayana schools. The two are complementary rather than opposed.

Representative quotes

Wonhyo

  • “Now, in the unhindered and unobstructed dharma-opening of the dharma-realm there is no dharma, and yet no non-dharma; no opening, and yet no non-opening. Thus it is neither large nor small, neither in a hurry nor taking its time; neither moving nor still, neither one nor many. Since it its not large, it can become an atom, leaving nothing behind. Since it is not small, it can contain all of space with room left over. Unhurried, it can include all the kalpas in the three time periods; not taking its time, it can enter fully into an instant.”

    晉譯華嚴經疏序 Hwaeomgyeong so seo (Preface to the Commentary on the Jin Translation of the Flower Ornament Sutra ) | Translated by A. Charles Muller.

  • “晉譯華嚴經疏序 Hwaeomgyeong so seo (Preface to the Commentary on the Jin Translation of the Flower Ornament Sutra )”

    Now, in the unhindered and unobstructed dharma-opening of the dharma-realm there is no dharma, and yet no non-dharma; no opening, and yet no non-opening. Thus it is neither large nor small, neither in a hurry nor taking its time; neither moving nor still, neither one nor many. Since it its not large, it can become an atom, leaving nothing behind. Since it is not small, it can contain all of space

  • “Translated by A. Charles Muller.”

    Now, in the unhindered and unobstructed dharma-opening of the dharma-realm there is no dharma, and yet no non-dharma; no opening, and yet no non-opening. Thus it is neither large nor small, neither in a hurry nor taking its time; neither moving nor still, neither one nor many. Since it its not large, it can become an atom, leaving nothing behind. Since it is not small, it can contain all of space

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