Hyujeong

NORTH KOREA, South Pyongan, Anju; Joseon dynasty

Hyujeong was a monk and artist who was also commonly known as Seosan Daesa, meaning Great Master of the Western Mountain, because of his long-time residency on Myohyangsan, which is referred to as the Western Mountain. His parents passed away when he was young, and as a means of coping, he took refuge in a Buddhist temple. He renounced in 1534 at the age of 14.
Hyujeong became well-known for his integration of Confucian, Buddhist, and Daoist teachings into his meditation, and his emphasis on the importance of practicing meditation and reciting the Buddha’s name. Over the years, Hyujeong nurtured many outstanding disciples and had thousands of individuals in his following. To benefit practitioners of Seon meditation, he published a book entitled Instructions for Seon Practitioners.
He was skilled in semi-cursive and cursive script calligraphy. Also a skilled poet, the majority of verses he composed, such as Poems on True Wisdom and Understanding, were scripted in regular and running scripts. Showing great contrast, his calligraphy was comprised of a variety of characters that were both light and heavy, and bold and thin.