Wonhyo

Wonhyo
Personal
Religion	Buddhism
Korean name
Hangul	원효
Hanja	元曉
Revised Romanization	Wonhyo
McCune–Reischauer	Wŏnhyo
Birth name
Hangul	설사
Hanja	薛思
Revised Romanization	Seol Sa
McCune–Reischauer	Sŏl Sa
Courtesy name
Hangul	서당 or 신당
Hanja	誓幢 or 新幢
Revised Romanization	Seodang or Sindang
McCune–Reischauer	Sŏdang or Sindang

Wŏnhyo (Korean: 원효; 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.^[1][2][3] 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.^[2] These works became classics widely respected throughout Korea, China and Japan.^[2][4]

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.^[5]