Seung Sahn was born in Suncheon, South Pyongan Province, North Korea, in 1927. He later graduated from Dongguk University and became a Buddhist monk at Magok Temple in 1947. The master took a quick lead in pursuing overseas missionary work, establishing the Buddhist missionary base Hongbeopwon in Sinjuku, Japan, in 1966 and another in the U.S. in 1972.

In his lifetime that revered Buddhist master built 120 international Zen centers in 32 countries, including Canada, Poland, the U.K., Brazil and France. He taught foreign disciples like HyunGak, chief of the International Zen Center at Hwagye Temple, and MuRyang, who is now building a temple in California.

(englishnews@chosun.com )