Samyeong Daesa

Samyeong Daesa (1544–1610) was a prominent Buddhist monk of mid-Joseon Korea who also served as a commander of monk-soldiers. When the Japanese invasions (the Imjin War) broke out, he rallied fellow monks and led an army of Buddhist warriors in defense of the country; though his dharma name was Yujeong, he is better known by his honorific title Samyeongdang. After the war he traveled to Japan to negotiate and played a major role in bringing home Korean captives who had been taken prisoner.