Woncheuk

Woncheuk
Korean name
Hangul
원측
Hanja
圓測
Revised RomanizationWoncheuk
McCune–ReischauerWŏnch'ŭk

Woncheuk (Korean원측; MRWŏnch'ŭk, c. 613–696) was a Korean Buddhist monk who worked in seventh century China.[1] Woncheuk was a follower of Paramārtha (499-569) and the Shelun school of Yogacara. This school defended the view that there was a ninth consciousness called the "pure consciousness" (amalavijñāna), as opposed to just the eight consciousnesses of classical Yogacara. This position had been rejected by Xuanzang and Kuiji.[2] Woncheuk later became a student of Xuanzang (ca. 600–664) and worked in his translation team.[1] Woncheuk's works attempt to reconcile the two traditions of East Asian Yogacara and often diverges from the interpretations of Xuanzang and Kuiji in favor of the views of Paramārtha.[1]

Woncheuk's work was revered throughout China and Korea, even reaching Chinese rulers like Emperors Taizong, Gaozong of Tang and Empress Wu of Zhou.[3] Woncheuk's exegetical work also influenced Tibetan Buddhism and the greater Himalayan region.

  1. ^ a b c Buswell, Robert E. (2004). Encyclopedia of Buddhism, 'Wŏnch'ŭk', p. 903. Volumes 1,2. Macmillan Reference.
  2. ^ "Woncheuk 원측". The Treasury of Lives. Retrieved 2022-11-11.
  3. ^ Benjamin Penny (2002), Religion and Biography in China and Tibet, p. 110

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