ABSTRACT
The development of Korean philosophy was strongly influenced by Chinese thought, especially during the early periods when Chinese culture was much more advanced than Korean. All three of the great ways of thought of China, namely, Daoism, Buddhism, and Confucianism, were transmitted to Korea during the second to fourth centuries CE, along with Chinese ideographic writing, science, medicine, music, arts, and social customs. This chapter focuses on the philosophical thought of two Buddhist thinkers, Wonhyo and Chinul, and two Confucian thinkers, Yi T'oegye and Yi Yulgok. Chinul had three enlightenment experiences in his life, all while reading texts. The first was while reading the Platform Sutra of the sixth Chan patriarch, the second while reading the Avatamsaka Sutra, and the third while reading the Records of Chan Master Dahui. Korean Neo-Confucianism focused on the philosophy of principle and the way of learning to be a sage.
