Nine mountain schools


The nine mountain schools were the initial monasteries of the Korean branch of Buddhism called Seon, founded in the Unified Silla period in the 8th or 9th century.
The initial transmission of Seon into Korea is usually attributed to Beomnang, said to be a student of the Chinese master Daoxin. Seon was later popularized especially by Sinhaeng in the latter part of the eighth century and by Doui at the beginning of the ninth century. From then on, many Koreans studied Chan in China and, upon their return, established their own schools at various mountain monasteries with their leading disciples.
The number of these schools was initially fixed to nine, whence the name derives. Eight of these schools were of the lineage of Mazu Daoyi, as they were established through connection with either him or one of his eminent disciples:
  1. The Gaji san school, established at Borimsa under the influence of Doui and his grand-student Chejing. Doui studied in China under Zhizang and Baizhang.
  2. The Seongju san school, established by Muyeom who received his inga from Magu Baozhe.
  3. The Silsangsan school, founded by Hongcheok, who also studied under Zhizang.
  4. The Huiyang san school, founded by Beomnang and Chiseon Doheon, who was taught by a Korean teacher of the Mazu transmission.
  5. The Bongnim san school, established by Weongam and his student Simhui. Weongam was a student of Zhangjing Huaihui.
  6. The Dongni san school, established by Hyejeol who was a student of Zhizang.
  7. The Sagul san school, established by Beom'il, who studied in China with Yanguan Qian and Yuesha Weiyan.
  8. The Saja san school, established by Doyun, who studied under Nanquan Puyan.
The ninth of these initial schools was the Sumi san school founded by Ieom, which had developed from the Caodong lineage.