Korea Journal of Buddhist Studies ISSN:1598-0642(Print) 불교학연구

Buddhist practice in Korea is currently divided into two main groups, namely Ganhwaseon and Vipassanā meditation. In this paper I discuss the debates about Ganhwaseon and Vipassanā meditation. I especially focus on the application of the concepts jhāna (禪定) and sati (正念) in Ganhwaseon. In this manner, this study is directed at understanding the difference between Ganhwaseon and Vipassanā Meditation. It is important to look at the differences and similarities through cultural and ideological contexts. Firstly, Ganhwaseon presents The Middle Way (中道) about jhāna, whereby it embraces both positive and negative aspects of this concept. Ganhwaseon did not deny the way of sitting meditation, neither did it pursue jhāna, which rouses gradually step by step. In addition, I examine why we should not apply the concept of sati directly to Zen Buddhism’s Mind of non-attachment (無念). While Early Theravāda Buddhism’sconcept of sati refers to means used to inspire wisdom, Zen Buddhism’s concept of Mind of non-attachment is close to wisdom itself. Furthermore, sati does not imply ‘to know something’; therefore, it is problematic to understand sati as Zen Buddhism’s One’s original wisdom(自然知).