Wonhyo

Wonhyo
Religious life
ReligionBuddhism
Korean name
Hangul
설사
Hanja
薛思
RRSeol Sa
MRSŏl Sa
Childhood name
Hangul
서당, 신당
Hanja
誓幢, 新幢
RRSeodang, Sindang
MRSŏdang, Sindang
Dharma name
Hangul
원효
Hanja
元曉
RRWonhyo
MRWŏnhyo

Wŏnhyo (Korean원효; Chinese: 元曉; 617 – 686, meaning: "Dawnbreak") was one of the most important philosophers and commentators in East Asian Buddhism and the most prolific scholar in Korean Buddhism. As one of the most eminent scholar-monks in East Asian history, his extensive literary output runs to over 80 works in 240 fascicles. His most influential commentaries are those on buddha-nature texts like the *Vajrasamādhisūtra, the Awakening of Faith, and the Mahāparinirvāṇasūtra. These works became classics widely respected throughout Korea, China and Japan.

Wonhyo's work was foundational for all of Korean Buddhism and also influenced Buddhism in other East Asian nations. Chinese masters who were heavily influenced by Wonhyo include Huayan masters like Fazang, Li Tongxuan, and Chengguan. The Japanese monks Gyōnen, Zenshu and Joto of the Kegon school were also influenced by him.