Cho Eui Seon Sa’s Birthplace
Cho Eui Seon Sa’s Birthplace
Cho Eui Seon Sa is most certainly the most renowned Taoist poet-philosopher that Korea ever produced. He was a deeply spiritual man who was able to transcend religious differences, and maintain relationships with the great scholars of the time, including Dasan Jeong Yak Yong and Chusa Kim Jung Hee. He is widely recognized as having reached the highest levels in the five areas of personal cultural development (so important to Taoist adherents): poetry, caligraphy, painting, tea-making, and Taoist philosophy. He received the rules of discipline from Haenam Daeheungsa, and the title of “Daegak Deunggyebo Jejonja Cho Eui Dae Seon Sa” from King Heon Jong. He was born in Wangsanri, Samhyang-myeon, Muan County , Jeollanam-do on April 5 th (lunar), 1786 (the 10 th year of King Jeong Jo of the Choseon Dynasty).
As a high monk who had inspired a rebirth of the depressed Buddhism of the late Choseon era, he was also a master of tea making, and was recently recognized as the tea master who breathed new life into the art of tea making in Korea . In May, 1997, he was selected as the cultural figure of the month, and Muan County restored the house in which he was born. It now stands as a monument and as a memorial museum. In addition, a tea culture museum as well as a tea school was established to create a sacred ground for tea lovers. To commemorate this place as a heritage tribute to the art of Korean tea making, the Cho Eui Seon Sa Culture Festival commemorating the birth of Cho Eui Seon Sa is held each year on the date of his birth. During this festival, many tourists and tea aficionados visit this site.
