“The Mind Is Buddha” Pojo Chinul’s Secrets on Cultivating the Mind
Buddhist Philosophy April 21, 2009 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1093/oso/9780195328165.003.0031
Summary
Pojo Chinul, a pivotal figure in Korean Zen Buddhism, developed a philosophy of mind that underpins his huatou (critical phrase) meditation, a form of encounter dialogue practice. His thought evolved through three distinct stages, tracing the development of his account of mind and its role in Kanhua Zen.
Study at a glance
| Design | theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Chinul's philosophy of mind, which underlies his huatou meditation, evolved through three stages. |
Abstract
Abstract Pojo Chinul (1158–1210) is one of the most influential figures in Korean Zen Buddhism. Chinul’s Zen is characterized by huatou (or “a critical phrase”) meditation, a version of the encounter dialogue (Chin. gong’an; Kor. kongan; Jap. kō an) method. At the basis of Chinul’s huatou meditation, also known as Kanhua Zen, lies his philosophy of mind. By tracing Chinul’s account of mind, one can gain an understanding of the evolution of his thought, which can be broadly divided into three stages.