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Chief Abbot of Golgulsa Temple,  Grandmaster of Seonmudo

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Profile

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∙ Ordained in 1975 at Beomeosa Temple in Busan; practiced “Buddhist Geumgang Yeonggwan” under Venerable Yangik Daejongsa.

 

∙ Served as Chief Abbot of Girimsa Temple (1986–1990).

 

∙ Currently the Chief Abbot of Golgulsa, the headquarters of Seonmudo; Chairman of the Seonmudo Daegumgangmun Foundation; Chairman of the World Seonmudo Federation.

 

∙ President of the Korea Traditional Martial Arts Federation (currently serving the 6th term); previously served as the 1st and 2nd President.

 

∙ 9th Dan in Tangsudo (Mudokkwan), 9th Dan in Taekwondo.

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The Beautiful Harmony of Body, Mind, and Breath : Seonmudo

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Seonmudo is a traditional Buddhist practice that cultivates samatha (calm abiding) and vipassanā (insight) together, following the teachings of the Ānāpānasati Sutta (the Sutra on Mindfulness of Breathing). It is a method of training in which concentration and wisdom are developed in tandem.

Rooted in the zhiguan meditation system taught by the great Tiantai master Zhiyi during China’s Sui Dynasty, Seonmudo—also known as Buddhist Geumgang Yeonggwan Seonmudo—was systematized by Venerable Yangik Daejongsa of Beomeosa Temple (who passed away in 2006). He established it as a traditional Korean Buddhist discipline that carries the living pulse of the Buddha’s teachings.

Seonmudo is a practical path toward awakening, encompassing meditative observation practices that include familiar forms such as yoga and meditation.

Like vipassanā or yoga, Seonmudo is a practice with deep historical roots in India and represents one of the original sources of Zen meditation. It is a training method that anyone—regardless of age or gender—can easily learn and embody.

In modern life, various forms of stress and physical imbalance can lead to mental suffering and bodily illness. Through Seonmudo practice, one can restore a healthy body and mind. By carefully observing and purifying our actions, speech, and thoughts—that is, everything we do in daily life—we can guide ourselves toward harmony and ultimately realize the Way.

Ultimately, Seonmudo aspires to open the body and mind fully, allowing practitioners to become beings of great freedom and to enter a state of oneness with the universe.