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

This paper examines discussions on the origin and meaning of the term, “Samcheojeonsim”, (三處傳心) from pre-modern times to the present. Regardless of the fact that the three episodes of “sharing the seat”, “picking up a flower”, and “displaying both legs” originated from India or China, each episode was connected to the Chan (K. Seon, 禪) claim of separation from and even of superiority to Jiao (敎, doctrines) in medieval China. However, “Samcheojeonsim” was first used in Korean Seon texts as an umbrella term for those three episodes. It was also in Korea that the religious meaning of the existence of multiple mind-transmission episodes was sought for the first time in Chan and Seon history. In particular, the 19th century JoseonSeon master BaekpaGeungseon (白坡亘璇) justified the superiority of the Linji (K. Imje臨濟) school, which the Korean Seon community of the time claimed to be affiliated with, through his hierarchical interpretation of the term. His interpretation has generated various discussions and controversies on the origin and meaning of the term. Such pre-modern figures as ChouiUisun(草衣意恂), Kim Jeong-hui(金正喜), and SeolduYuhyeong(雪竇有炯), as well as modern scholars, including NukariyaKaiten(忽滑谷快天), Bak Han-yeong(朴漢永), and Kim Dong-hwa(金東華) also joined the discussions. This paper explores the implications of the term, “Samcheojeonsim”, from the perspective of the history of East Asian Buddhist thought by examining those discussions