Hyujeong (1520-1604) was a Korean Seon master and the author of several important religious texts. He was also a military commander who organized and led a monk army that was critical in defending Joseon Korea against the Japanese invaders in the 1590s.
Like most monks of the Joseon period, Hyujeong was initially educated as a Confucian scholar but was dissatisfied with the curriculum, so he ordained as a Buddhist monk and wandered through the mountain monasteries. In 1552, King Myeongjong appointed Hyujeon as the State Supervisor of Seon and Doctrine Schools of Buddhism.
However, Hyujeon soon resigned from this responsibility returning to the itinerant life dedicated to monastic practices until he was called by the royalties in exile. He then organized a monk army to defend his country at the age of 73. Operating out of monasteries deep in the mountains, Hyujeon’s army was a critical factor in the eventual expulsion of the Japanese invaders in 1593 and again in 1598.