Korean Seon is the Korean form of Zen Buddhism, rooted in Chinese Chan and centered on direct insight into one’s true nature. The very term “Seon” is the Korean pronunciation of the character for Chan, signaling a shared heritage while marking a distinct development. From early transmission, Seon came to emphasize awakening through direct experience rather than reliance on conceptual study alone, aiming at the realization of the inherent Buddha‑nature present in all beings. Over time, various Seon schools emerged and eventually consolidated into the Jogye Order, which remains the dominant Buddhist tradition in Korea and synthesizes multiple Seon lineages.

The heart of Seon practice lies in meditation that cuts through discursive thought and dualistic habits of mind. A central method is Ganhwa Seon, the practice of “observing the hwadu,” in which practitioners focus intensely on a brief, often paradoxical phrase or question, functionally equivalent to the Chinese gongan or Japanese koan. This rigorous inquiry is supported by formal sitting meditation and the guidance of a Seon master, all directed toward sudden enlightenment rather than a merely gradual refinement of concepts. Intensive meditation retreats, along with a strong monastic culture of celibate monks and nuns, provide a disciplined container for this work.

Philosophically, Korean Seon presents itself as a direct pointing to mind‑nature beyond words and letters, yet it does not reject doctrinal study. Instead, it seeks a balance between meditative realization and engagement with Buddhist texts, integrating Seon (meditation) and Gyo (doctrine) so that insight and understanding illuminate one another. Practice is not confined to the meditation hall; there is a strong stress on carrying the clarity of Seon into ordinary activities, allowing daily life itself to become the field of awakening. In this way, Korean Seon maintains the essential Zen emphasis on immediate experience of Buddha‑nature while expressing it through characteristically Korean forms of practice, community, and culture.