Background
Dok Hyon Sunim was born on 25 December 1963. He grew up in a rural area of Korean south in Jeollanam-do province.
Dok Hyon Sunim was born on 25 December 1963. He grew up in a rural area of Korean south in Jeollanam-do province.
At that time South of Korea was under a strong military government control. After graduating in the university, Sunim entered military service. Foreign two years he was fulfilling his duties as a soldier and than supported himself as a worker at various construction sites.
In 1989 entered Songgwangsa temple at Jogye mountain.
In 1990 obtained novice monk precepts and became disciple of venerable master Bop Jong Sunim (법정 스님), who was at that time practicing at Puril hermitage above Songgwangsa. While attending his teacher, he entered Songgwangsa Kangwon seminary.
Since March 2009 Sunim acts as an abbot of Kilsangsa temple in Seoul. From March 2010 Sunim also serves as a successor of venerable Bop Jong Sunim.
