Buddhist monk Cheongdam (lay name Yi Sun-ho), president of the Jogye Order's administrative headquarters and contributor to the Buddhist purification movement; abbot of Doseonsa
| Life | 1902 ~ 1971 |
| Era | 일제강점기·현대 |
| Clan | 성산 이씨 |
Cheongdam (靑潭) is his Buddhist name; his lay name was Yi Sun-ho (李淳浩, 1902-1971), of the Seongsan Yi. Korean Wikipedia says he was born in Jinju, South Gyeongsang. In Buddhist circles he is known as a participant in the 1950s-60s purification movement to clear away Japanese-style Buddhism and recover the Korean tradition. A 2002 Seoul Shinmun article says he trained in Manchuria, Bongjeongam on Mt. Seorak, Mahayeon on Mt. Geumgang and Seolnyeongdae on Mt. Myohyang, and, with Hyobong and Dongsan, took an active part in the movement and helped midwife the Jogye Order.
Wikipedia lists his career as chairman of the Jogye assembly in 1956, abbot of Haeinsa in 1957, abbot of Doseonsa in 1962 and head of the Jogye Order's administrative headquarters in 1968, and judges that he greatly contributed to Buddhist purification in Korea. Other sources describe him as first head of the unified order's administrative headquarters and assembly chair and second supreme patriarch, so titles are presented differently; please confirm the exact offices with Jogye Order materials.
He died in Seoul on 15 November 1971 at 69 and was given an order funeral. This draft does not discuss any relationship with the nun Myoeom or with Seongcheol because they were not confirmed. His seat of Seongsan follows Korean Wikipedia, and no separate source on a monk's lay genealogy was found.
He is said to have joined Hyobong, Dongsan and others in the movement to clear away Japanese-style Buddhism.
He is said to have been assembly chair in 1956, abbot of Haeinsa in 1957, abbot of Doseonsa in 1962 and head of headquarters in 1968.
He died in Seoul; the location of any memorial stupa was not confirmed.