c) The Period of Expansion


After the middle 7th century, Korean Buddhist thought developed greatly but this growth was very different from the early days. For about 130 years from the time King Munmu (r. 661-681) who unified the Three Kingdoms in 668 and King Hyegong (r. 765-780), research into the Mahayana was very active and many books were written. The research of this period was varied enough to cover most fields of Buddhist studies such as Vinaya, Three Treatises, Vijnanamatravada (Kor. Yushik), Avatamsa (Kor. Hwaom), Esoteric, Maitreya and the Pure Land. But especially Avatamsa philosophy developed by masters Uisang and Wonhyo formed the main focus of study. In addition, the Vijnanamatravada study of Master Wonch'uk and succeeding Shilla masters occupied an important place in Buddhist research of the time.

Master Uisang continued in the line of orthodox Chinese Avatamsa study, and after his return from China, he devoted himself to advocating Avatamsa doctrines and establishing the tradition of Shilla Avatamsa. Master Wonhyo made a comprehensive study of Hinayana and Mahayana, and developed very creative, innovative theories on the philosophy of the Awakening of Faith centered around the idea of the tathagatagarbha (Tathagata's womb) and the theory that everything arises from the mind. Such philosophy as that of the Awakening of Faith shares a mutual understanding with Avatamsa philosophy, hence Master Wonhyo is also considered to be an established Avatamsa philosopher. The Avatamsa philosophy advocated by these masters corresponded well to the socio-political integration which was required for Shilla to head for unification.

However, Shilla Vijnanamatravada philosophy which, along with the Three Treatises philosophy, is one of the representative trends of Mahayana study, originated from Master Wonch'uk who studied in T'ang. Master Wonch'uk greatly contributed to the new Vijnanamatravada study which was introduced to China from India by Chinese Master Hsuan-tsang. Master Wonch'uk's Vijnanamatravada philosophy is well known in the context of its confrontation with that of Master K'uei-chi who was also a disciple of Master Hsuan-tsang. Master Wonch'uk's philosophy was inherited by Shilla masters and it was the point of departure for more active research. Apart from all the other fields of Mahayana studies such as Pure Land, Esoteric Buddhism, research into the Lotus Sutra, and belief in Avalokitesvara, this new direction developed enough to attract close attention in the middle Shilla Period.