Mad monk Wonhyo

In order to see the intrinsic eternal nature of reality or true substance, one has to be devoted—I mean devoted!  Mediocrity need not apply for the job—it takes genius and the openness of a child.

One such person who seemed to be a genius with the openness of a child was the legendary Korean Buddhist monk, Wonhyo (617–686).  (Wonhyo, by the way means "dawn.")  In my humble opinion he correctly comprehend the meaning of One Mind (ekacitta) which puts him into a unique category of Buddhist monks who are not just colorful parrots. 

Wonhyo was no doubt a great scholar.  He read many Buddhist works and composed a large number of important and valuable commentaries (I have one of his commentaries in my mini library).  He also founded the Korean lineage of Popsong (i.e., “Dharma Nature”) in an effort to unify the Mahayana teachings for Korea which, incidentally, helped eliminate a proliferation of contending lineages which is not the case with the history of Japanese Buddhism where there are presently almost two hundred lineages.  

Wonhyo was considered so spiritually gifted that he didn’t require a teacher.  He was a self-taught, home grown master who despite later becoming a “mad monk” was well respected by the court and the common people for his spiritual attainment and wisdom.  

Early in his spiritual life, much like Dogen, Wonhyo set out with a friend to go to China seeking help towards achieving a profound awakening.  Traveling for many days during the heat of the summer and exhausted, the two pilgrims decided to camp near a grave mound.  Late that night, Wonhyo woke up with a burning thirst.  Reaching for the nearest thing he could find that contained water he satisfied his thirst then went back to sleep.  Upon awakening the next morning, much to his horror he discovered he had drank from a human skull.  Immediately, he became ill and vomited. Then it dawned on him that mind was protean, easily changing all the time, whereas its true nature was unchanging and pristine.  He then realized that he had just awakened to the mysterious One Mind.  As a result of this profound awakening Wonhyo decided he had no need to continue traveling to China.  He said farewell to his friend.  When he returned to Korea he was no longer the pious monk but had become the "mad monk" who was not adverse to playing with children, drinking, and making visits to the local whore houses.  Because of this conduct he named himself "the lowly layman."  However, unlike Buddhist priests today, Wonhyo was genuinely awakened to the One Mind.  Nor like Buddhist priests today was Wonhyo a hypocrite, like a beautiful porcelain pot full of shit.

This is an excerpt from Wonhyo's work,  Arouse Your Mind that probably dates from between 677 and 684. It is taken from, Sources of Korean Tradition by Peter H. Lee and Wm. Theodore De Bary, eds., pages 87–88.

Now all the buddhas adorn the palace of tranquil extinction, nirvana, because they have renounced desires and practiced austerities on the sea of numerous kalpas. All sentient beings whirl through the door of the burning house of samsara because they have not renounced craving and sensuality during lifetimes without measure. Though the heavenly mansions are unobstructed, few are those who go there; for people take the three poisons (greed, hatred, and delusion) as their family wealth. Though no one entices others to evil destinies, many are those who go there; for people consider the four snakes and the five desires to be precious to their deluded minds.

Who among human beings would not wish to enter the mountains and cultivate the path? But fettered by lust and desires, no one proceeds. But even though people do not return to mountain fastnesses to cultivate the mind, as far as they are able they should not abandon wholesome practices. Those who can abandon their own sensual pleasures will be venerated like saints. Those who practice what is difficult to practice will be revered like buddhas. Those who covet things join Mara's entourage, while those who give with love and compassion are the children of the King of Dharma himself. 

 

Comments

[minx]

The main difference between a Buddha and a mere zen master (Bodhisattva) is that where the knowledge of self and thus the nature and origin of all things is incomplete in the zen master, the knowledge of the Buddha is complete, right, perfect and beyond any sentient comprehension. The one possessing right knowledge is free to induce right release (from all illusions and bonds). This is equal to parinirvana. The very essence of Dharmakaya.

[Chong Go Sunim]

@Peter,
after Wonhyo returned to his home country, he studied under a teacher called Dae An for many years.

[Peter Wharn]

He may well have been awakened to One Mind, but he should still have verified his understanding with an authentic teacher.

[Chong Go Sunim]

There's no doubt that Wonhyo was a very impressive practitioner. He wrote his three volume commentary on the Vajrasamadhi Sutra in something like three days, on the back of an oxcart. People were amazed, but I think it's because he truly saw this fundamental mind, and was just describing the world he saw around him.

Here's a link to another version of "Arouse Your Mind." http://wakeupandlaugh.wordpress.com/2010/06/30/wonhyo-sunim-inspiring-yourself-to-practice/

In general, I think the "mad monk" aspect of Wonhyo's life is overblown, and I suspect it is seized upon by people reluctant to let go of their own desires. This isn't intended as a critique of anyone, it's just that it seems like there's a "have your cake and eat it too" aspect that people focus on, without realizing that even then, Wonhyo's life and practice was quite austere.