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

This study reviewed the meaning of ‘Donojeomsu (頓悟漸修: sudden enlightenment and gradual practicing)’ and ‘Junghyessangsu (定慧雙修: practicing samadhi and wisdom at a time)’ in Chinul’s Zen thought. It explored how to unite ‘sudden enlightenment (頓悟)’ and ‘gradual practicing (漸修)’. It also explored how to integrate ‘Jasungjunghye (自性定慧: the samadhi and wisdom of the true nature of humans)’ with ‘Susangjunghye (隨相定慧: samadhi and wisdom of following phenomenon)’ in the two gates. Sudden enlightenment means to be aware of one’s own true nature, Kongjeok- Youngji (空寂靈知). Kongjeok-Youngji means empty calmness and illumination by spiritual knowing. Gradual practicing (漸修) can’t separate with sudden enlight-enment (頓悟), and it includes three courses: Wonsu (圓修), which means practicing with the fullness of truth, and Wonjeom (圓漸), which means total influence of ‘sudden enlightenment (頓悟)’ on the spiritual training. Wonjeom (圓漸) is followed by Jeomwon (漸圓), which means gradual achievement for the sake of all beings. This study also tries a new interpretation, that ‘Junghyessangsu’ is ‘practicing samadhi and wisdom (two gates) at a time (二門定慧雙修)’ of ‘Donojeomsu.’ Existing research has said that ‘Jasungjunghye’ is ‘Donodonsu’ and ‘Susangjunghye’ is ‘Donojeomsu,’ saying that the former is for superior people and the latter is for inferior ones. However, Chinul brought ‘Susangjunghye’ of ‘the gradual gate (漸門) on the base of ‘Jasungjunghye’ of ‘the sudden gate (頓門),’ combining ‘Jasungjunghye’ with ‘Susangjunghye.’ Chinul said that “Practicing samadhi and wisdom of two gates (二門定慧雙修) is not divided into two of the first and the last.” It seems like the two wings of a bird. Also like the two wheels of a wagon, ‘Sudden enlightenment and gradual practicing,’ ‘Jasungjunghye’ and ‘Susangjunghye’ of Chinul are not able to be separated from each other.