received his PhD from Dongguk University, Seoul and subsequently joined his alma mater as a faculty member. He held various important positions at Dongguk University as a professor of history, Director, Center of Research for Silla Culture and Dean, Faculty of Humanities. He wrote numerous books on various aspects of Korean Buddhism (in Korean), including Huayan Thought in Silla, Wonhyo Seen from the Lens of History, Silla Thought and Culture and A Survey of the History of Korean Buddhism.
