Hyesim

Hyesim (慧諶: 1178 – 23 July 1234 (26th day of the 6th lunar month)) was a Buddhist monk of Goryeo. His courtesy name was Yeongeul, his pen name was Muuija, and his secular name was Choi Sik (崔寔).¹ His posthumous title was National Preceptor Jingak (眞覺國師).

In 1201, during the reign of Sinjong, he passed the Samasi examination and entered the Taehak.¹ Afterward, he stayed at home to care for his ailing mother and studied Buddhist scriptures intensively.¹ After his mother died, he entered Mount Jogye and became a Buddhist monk under Bojo Jinul.¹

During Jinul's lifetime, he repeatedly declined to take on any official post, but in 1210, when Jinul died, he entered Suseonsa by royal command, succeeded him, and became the second patriarch of the Suseonsa community.¹ Later, when Gojong ascended the throne, he was appointed Seonsa, and then rose to Daeseonsa.¹ He is a rare case of someone who attained a monastic rank without taking the Seungwa (monastic examination).

He is regarded as the figure who developed and synthesized the Seon thought of Bojo Jinul and established the Ganhwa Seon method of practice in Goryeo Buddhism.

At Songgwangsa stands his stupa for National Preceptor Jingak, the Jingak Guksa Wonjo Tap (覺圓照). His works include the 《Seonmun Yeomsong》, 《Simyo》, and 《Muuija Sijip》, among others.