# Dae Gak

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**Dae Gak** (born 1947), born **Robert Genthner**, is a [Zen master](/source/Zen_master) and the guiding teacher of [Furnace Mountain](/source/Furnace_Mountain) in [Clay City, Kentucky](/source/Clay_City,_Kentucky), a [Korean Buddhist](/source/Korean_Buddhism) temple and retreat center co-founded in 1986 with [Seung Sahn](/source/Seung_Sahn). He received [Dharma transmission](/source/Dharma_transmission) from Seung Sahn in 1994, and now teaches independently of Seung Sahn's [Kwan Um School of Zen](/source/Kwan_Um_School_of_Zen). In addition to Furnace Mountain he serves as guiding teacher for other Zen groups in [North America](/source/North_America), [Germany](/source/Germany) and [England](/source/England). He also holds a [Ph.D.](/source/Ph.D.) in [psychology](/source/Psychology) and is currently a licensed [psychologist](/source/Psychologist) in the state of [Kentucky](/source/Kentucky).

## Biography

Robert Genthner (Buddhist name Dae Gak, "great enlightenment") was born in [Springfield, Massachusetts](/source/Springfield,_Massachusetts) in 1947. He went to graduate school in Psychology at [Kent State University](/source/Kent_State_University). Genthner graduated from Kent State in 1973 with his [Ph.D.](/source/Ph.D.) in [clinical psychology](/source/Clinical_psychology), later that year teaching psychology at [Eastern Kentucky University](/source/Eastern_Kentucky_University) in [Richmond, Kentucky](/source/Richmond,_Kentucky). He stopped teaching in 1979, afterward practicing as a licensed psychologist.[1]

In 1979, Genthner met Korean monk and Zen teacher [Seung Sahn](/source/Seung_Sahn) during a retreat at the [Providence Zen Center](/source/Providence_Zen_Center). In the early 1980s, he and several other individuals founded the Lexington Zen Center in his home, with retreats sometimes taking place at the homes of other practitioners. The group became affiliated with Seung Sahn's [Kwan Um School of Zen](/source/Kwan_Um_School_of_Zen), founded in July 1983. In 1986, he co-founded a Zen temple at [Furnace Mountain](/source/Furnace_Mountain) with Seung Sahn. The temple, Kwan Se Um San Ji Sah (which means "Perceive World Sound High Ground Temple"), was completed in 1994. Also that year, Genthner/Dae Gak received [Dharma transmission](/source/Dharma_transmission) from Seung Sahn, and[2][3] founded the Cincinnati Zen Center.[4]

In 2000, Genthner was subject to disciplinary action following allegations by two patients of sexual misconduct and violations of patient confidentiality; while denying wrongdoing, he agreed to a suspension of one year, a fine, and one year of supervised probation after his license was reinstated.[5][6] Also in 2000, he left the Kwan Um School of Zen and began his own. He has since established groups in North America, Germany and England.[7][8][9] Genther, and the Furnace Mountain Zen Retreat Center was featured in the 2010 documentary film Zen Furnace[10] produced by Kentucky filmmaker Steven Middleton.

## Groups

- [Lexington Zen Center](http://www.lexingtonzencenter.org/) (Lexington, KY)
- [Cincinnati Zen Center](http://www.cincinnatizencenter.org/) (Cincinnati, OH)
- [Hamilton Zen Center](https://web.archive.org/web/20080216020552/http://hamiltonzencenter.com/) (Hamilton, OH)
- [Dae Do Sah Zen Group](http://www.furnacemountain.org/daedosah.html) (Rockville, MD)
- [South West Son Academy](http://www.westhoustonzen.org/) (Houston, TX)
- [Zen Island Fellowship](http://galvestonzen.org/) (Galveston, TX)
- [Bristol Zen Centre](http://www.bristolzen.org/) (Bristol, UK)
- [Wilmington Zen](https://www.wilmingtonzen.org) (Wilmington, OH)

## Affiliates

- [Mansfield Zen Center](https://web.archive.org/web/20091231061231/http://www.mansfieldzen.com/id6.html) (Mansfield, OH)
- [Queensland Zen Centre](http://www.queenslandzencentre.com/) (Queensland, AU)
- [Zen Society of Wooster](http://zensocietyofwooster.org/) (Wooster, OH)

## Dharmic Lineage

The following list documents Dae Gak's transmission lineage, starting with the Buddha and the First Patriarch.[11][12][13]

**India**

**China**

CHINESE NAME[14] LIFE DATES VIỆT NAME[15] JAPANESE NAME[16] KOREAN NAME[17] 28 / 1 達磨 / Ta-mo ? Đạt-Ma Daruma 달마 / Dal-Ma 29 / 2 慧可 / Hui-k'o 487–593 Huệ-Khả Eka 혜가 / Hye-Ga 30 / 3 僧璨 / Seng-ts'an ?–606 Tăng-Xán Sōsan 승찬 / Seung-Chan 31 / 4 道信 / Tao-hsin 580–651 Đạo-Tín Dōshin 도신 / Do-Shim 32 / 5 弘忍 / Hung-jen 601/2–674/5 Hoằng-Nhẫn Kōnin 홍인 / Hong-Ihn 33 / 6 慧能 / Hui-neng 638–713 Huệ-Năng Enō 혜능 / Hye-Neung 34 / 7 南嶽懷讓 / Nan-yüeh Huai-jang 677–744 Nam-Nhạc Hoài-Nhượng Nangaku Ejō 남악회양 / Nam-Ak Hwe-Yang 35 / 8 馬祖道一 / Ma-tsu Tao-i[18] 709–788 Mã-Tổ Đạo-Nhất Baso Dōitsu 마조도일 / Ma-Jo To-Il 36 / 9 百丈懷海 / Pai-chang Huai-hai 720?/749?–814 Bách-Trượng Hoài-Hải Hyakujō Ekai 백장회해 / Paek-Chang Hwe-Hae 37 / 10 黃蘗希運 / Huang-po Hsi-yün ?–850 Hoàng-Bá Hy-Vận Ōbaku Kiun 황벽희운 / Hwang-Byeok Heu-Iun 38 / 11 臨濟義玄 / Lin-chi I-hsüan ?–866/7 Lâm-Tế Nghĩa-Huyền Rinzai Gigen 임제의현 / Im-Je Eui-Hyeon 39 / 12 興化存奬 / Hsing-hua Tzun-chiang[19] 830–888 Hưng-Hóa Tồn-Tương Kōke Sonshō 흥화존장 / Heung-Hwa Chon-Jang 40 / 13 南院道癰 / Nan-yüan Hui-yung[20] d 930?/952? Nam-Viện Huệ-Ngung Nanin Egyō 남원도옹 / Nam-Weon To-Ong 41 / 14 風穴延沼 / Feng-hsüeh Yen-chao 896–973 Phong-Huyệt Diên-Chiểu Fūketsu Enshō 풍혈연소 / Peung-Hyeol Yeon-So 42 / 15 首山省念 / Shou-shan Shen-nien[21] 925/6–992/3 Thủ-Sơn Tỉnh-Niệm Shūzan Shōnen 수산성념 / Su-San Seong-Nyeom 43 / 16 汾陽善昭 / Fen-yang Shan-chao[22][23] 947–1024 Phần-Dương Thiện-Chiêu Funyō Zenshō 분양선소 / Pun-Yang Seon-Jo 44 / 17 慈明楚圓 / Tz'u-ming Ch'u-yüan[24] 986–1039 Thạch-Sương Sở-Viên Jimyō Soen 자명초원 / Cham-Yeong Cho-Weon 45 / 18 楊岐方會 / Yang-ch'i Fang-hui[25] 992–1049 Dương-Kỳ Phương-Hội Yōgi Hōe 양기방회 / Yang-Gi Pang-Hwe 46 / 19 白雲守端 / Pai-yün Shou-tuan 1025–1072 Bạch-Vân Thủ-Đoan Hakuun Shutan 백운수단 / Pae-Gun Su-Dan 47 / 20 五祖法演 / Wu-tsu Fa-yen[26] 1024–1104 Ngũ-Tổ Pháp-Diễn Goso Hōen 오조법연 / O-Jo Peob-Yeon 48 / 21 圓悟克勤 / Yuan-wu K'o-ch'in 1063–1135 Viên-Ngộ Khắc-Cần Engo Kokugon 원오극근 / Hwe-O Keuk-Keun 49 / 22 虎丘紹隆 / Hsü-ch’iu Shao-lung 1077–1136 Hổ-Khâu Thiệu-Long Kukyū Jōryū 호구소융 / Ho-Gu Sor-Yung 50 / 23 應庵曇華 / Ying-an T'an-hua 1103–1163 Ứng Am Đàm Hoa Oan Donge 응암담화 / Eung-Am Tam-Hwa 51 / 24 密庵咸傑 / Mi-an Hsi-chieh 1118?/1138?–1186 Mật Am Hàm Kiệt Mittan Kanketsu 밀암함걸 / Mir-Am Ham-Keol 52 / 25 破庵祖先 / P'o-an Tsu-hsien 1136–1211 Phá Am Tổ Tiên Hoan Sosen 파암조선 / Pa-Am Cho-Seon 53 / 26 無準圓照 / Wu-chun Yuan-chao (無準師範 / Wu-chun Shih-fan) 1174/8–1249 . (Vô Chuẩn Sư Phạm) . (Mujun Shiban) 무준원조 / Mujun Wenjo (무준사범 / Mujun Sabeom) 54 / 27 雪巖惠朗 / Hsüeh-yen Hui-lang Tuyết Nham Tổ Khâm Setsugan 설암혜랑 / Seon-Am Hye-Rang 55 / 28 及庵宗信 / Chi-an Tsung-hsin Cật Yêm Tông Hâm 급암종신 / Keu-Bam Chong-Sil 56 / 29 石屋淸珙 / Shih-wu Ch'ing-kung[27] 1272–1352 Thạch Ốc Thanh Củng Sekioku Seikyō 석옥청공 / Seo-Gok Cheong-Gong

**Korea**

CHINESE NAME[28] KOREAN NAME[29] LIFE DATES 57 / 30 / 1 太古普愚 (Tàigǔ Pǔyú) 태고보우 / Tae-Go Bo-Wu 1301–1382 58 / 31 / 2 幻庵混修 (Huànān Hùnxiū) 환암혼수 / Hwan-Am Hon-Su[30] 1320–1392 59 / 32 / 3 龜谷覺雲 (Guīgǔ Juéyún) 구곡각운 / Gu-Gok Gak-Un 60 / 33 / 4 碧溪淨心 (Bìxī Jìngxīn) 벽계정심 / Byeok-Ge Jeong-Shim 61 / 34 / 5 碧松智嚴 (Bìsōng Zhìyán) 벽송지엄 / Byeok-Song Ji-Eom[31] 1464–1534 62 / 35 / 6 芙蓉靈觀 (Fúróng Língguān) 부용영관 / Bu-Yong Yeong-Gwan 1485–1567/1571 63 / 36 / 7 淸虛休靜 (Qīngxū Xiūjìng) 청허휴정 / Cheong-Heo Hyu-Jeong (서산대사 / Seo-San Dae-Sa) 1520–1604 64 / 37 / 8 鞭羊彦機 (Biānyáng Yànjī) 편양언기 / Pyeon-Yang Eon-Gi 1581–1644 65 / 38 / 9 楓潭義諶 (Fēngtán Yìchén) 풍담의심 / Pung-Dam Eui-Sim[32] ?–1665 66 / 39 / 10 月潭雪霽 (Yuètán Xuějì) 월담설제 / Wol-Dam Seol-Je ?–1704 67 / 40 / 11 喚惺志安 (Huànxīng Zhìān) 환성지안 / Hwan-Seong Ji-An ?–1729 68 / 41 / 12 虎巖體淨 (Hǔyán Tǐjìng) 호암체정 / Ho-Am Che-Jeong ?–1748 69 / 42 / 13 靑峰巨岸 (Qīngfēng Jùàn) 청봉거안 / Cheong-Bong Geo-An 70 / 43 / 14 栗峰靑古 (Lìfēng Qīnggǔ) 율봉청고 / Yul-Bong Cheong-Kwa ?–1823 71 / 44 / 15 錦虛法沾 (Jǐnxū Fǎzhān) 금허법첨 / Geum-Heo Beop-Cheom 72 / 45 / 16 龍岩慧彦 (Lóngyán Huìyàn) 용암혜언 / Yong-Am Hye-Eon 73 / 46 / 17 永月奉律 (Yǒngyuè Fènglù) 영월봉율 / Yeong-Wol Bong-Yul 74 / 47 / 18 萬化普善 (Wànhuà Pǔshàn) 만화보선 / Man-Hwa Bo-Seon ?–1879 75 / 48 / 19 鏡虛惺牛 (Jìngxū Xīngniú) 경허성우 / Gyeong-Heo Seong-Wu 1849–1912 76 / 49 / 20 滿空月面 (Mǎnkòng Yuèmiàn) 만공월면 / Man-Gong Weol-Myeon 1871–1946 77 / 50 / 21 高峯景昱 (Gāofēng Jǐngyù) 고봉경욱 / Ko-Bong Gyeong-Uk 1890–1961/2 78 / 51 / 22 崇山行願 (Chóngshān Xíngyuàn) 숭산행원 / Seung-Sahn Haeng-Won 1927–2004

**America**

KOREAN NAME[33] ENGLISH NAME LIFE DATES 79 / 52 / 23/ 1 대각 / Dae Gak Robert Genthner 1947-

## Bibliography

- Gak, Dae (2012). *Upright with Poise and Grace*. Gnomon Press. ISBN 9780917788956.
- Gak, Dae (1997). *Going Beyond Buddha: The Awakening Practice of Listening*. Charles E. Tuttle. p. 256. ISBN 0-8048-3116-5. [OCLC 36386263](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/36386263)

## See also

- [Furnace Mountain](/source/Furnace_Mountain)
- [Timeline of Zen Buddhism in the United States](/source/Timeline_of_Zen_Buddhism_in_the_United_States)
- [Zen Master Seung Sahn](/source/Dae_Soen_Sa_Nim)

## References

1. ["Our Guiding Teacher Zen Master Dae Gak"](http://www.furnacemountain.org/bio.html). Furnace Mountain Zen Retreat Center. Retrieved April 21, 2013.

1. Morreale, Don (1998). [*Complete Guide to Buddhist America*](https://archive.org/details/completeguidetob00morr/page/151). [Shambhala Publications](/source/Shambhala_Publications). p. [151](https://archive.org/details/completeguidetob00morr/page/151). ISBN 9781570622700.

1. Kwon, Ho-Youn; Kwang Chung Kim; Stephen R. Warner (2001). *Korean Americans and Their Religions: Pilgrims and Missionaries from a Different Shore*. Pennsylvania State University Press. p. 257. ISBN 0-271-02073-3. [OCLC 43845570](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/43845570)

1. ["Cincinnati Zen Center"](http://www.cincinnatizencenter.org). Retrieved April 21, 2013.

1. *Lexington Herald Leader*, 7/25/2000, Psychologist's License Suspended, B3

1. Fall 2000 Psychology Board News, State of Kentucky Board of Psychological Examiners, Volume 3, Issue 2, "Robert W. Genthner, Ph.D. June 2000 Settlement Agreement", *"The Board alleged that Dr. Genthner, a Kentucky licensed psychologist, exploited two of his clients by sexual touching, had sexual contact with these, failed to create and maintain written psychological records of the therapy of the two clients, and divulged confidential information about one of his patients. Genthner denied these charges. The Board and Dr. Genthner agreed: 1) to a one year active suspension of his license to practice psychology as of June 2000 2) to have his license placed on probation with weekly supervision of his entire practice of psychology for a period of two(2) years after the one(1) year suspension; and 3) to pay the amount of $2,742.50 for investigative costs to the Board."*

1. Rinaldi, Joshua (2003-10-15). ["Everything Zen: Center in Cincinnati teaches art of meditation"](https://archive.today/20110807162127/http://media.www.newsrecord.org/media/storage/paper693/news/2003/10/15/Spotlight/Everything.Zen-695242.shtml). The News Records. Archived from [the original](http://media.www.newsrecord.org/media/storage/paper693/news/2003/10/15/Spotlight/Everything.Zen-695242.shtml) on 2011-08-07. Retrieved 2008-01-02.

1. Galveston County News

1. Prebish, Charles S (1999). [*Luminous Passage: The Practice and Study of Buddhism in America*](https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780520216976/page/34). [University of California Press](/source/University_of_California_Press). pp. [34](https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780520216976/page/34). ISBN 0-520-21697-0.

1. ["Zen Furnace"](https://vimeo.com/20803196). 8 March 2011.

1. These charts expand from the basic list in "Zen Master Seung Sahn's Lineage" in: Seung-Sahn, 1997, *[The Compass of Zen](/source/The_Compass_of_Zen)*, edited by Hyon Gak Sunim, Boston: Shambhala Dragon Editions, [Shambhala Publications](/source/Shambhala_Publications), pages 393–394. ISBN 1-57062-329-5

1. The same basic list is online in English at [Kwan Um School of Zen](http://www.kwanumzen.org/about-us/our-lineage/) and in Hangŭl (down to the 76th generation) at [조사 (불교)](https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%EC%A1%B0%EC%82%AC_(%EB%B6%88%EA%B5%90)).

1. For comparison, see Jinje Seon Sa's lineage chart which is nearly identical with Seung-Sahn's list in *The Compass of Zen* down to the 75th master, after which the two lineages split up (to 만공월면 / Man-Gong Weol-Myeon in Seung-Sahn's and to 혜월혜명 / Hyewol Hyemyeong in Jinje's). There are five variations between the Seung-Sahn and Jinje lists: the renderings of the 40th, 43rd, 56th, 65th Masters' names, and the Latin spelling of the 58th's.

1. characters and [Wade-Giles](/source/Wade-Giles) Romanization

1. See [Thiền Sư Trung Quốc](https://vi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Th%E1%BB%83_lo%E1%BA%A1i%3AThi%E1%BB%81n_s%C6%B0_Trung_Qu%E1%BB%91c) for a list of Chinese Zen Masters in Vietnamese.

1. Romaji

1. Hangeul and [South Korean Revised Romanization](/source/Revised_Romanization_of_Korean)

1. extensive article in [Mazu Daoyi](https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazu_Daoyi)

1. [Xinghua Cunjiang](https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xinghua_Cunjiang)

1. "Nan-yüan Hui-yü" in *The Compass of Zen*, and "Nanyuan Daoyong" in Jinje's lineage chart ("Dao" being the third character in the Chinese name).

1. The Wade-Giles "Shou-shan Hsing-nien" in *The Compass of Zen*, consistent with the Pīnyīn "Shoushan Xingnian" in Jinje's lineage chart.

1. Rendered as "T'ai-tzu Yüan-shan" in *The Compass of Zen*.

1. [Fenyang Shanzhao](https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fenyang_Shanzhao)

1. [Shishuang Chuyuan](https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shishuang_Chuyuan)

1. [Yangqi Fanghui](https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yangqi_Fanghui)

1. [Wuzu Fayan](https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wuzu_Fayan)

1. Rendered as "Shih-shih Ch'ing-kung" in *The Compass of Zen*.

1. characters and [Pīnyīn](/source/Pinyin) Romanization

1. Hangeul and South Korean Revised Romanization

1. spelled as "Whan-Am Hon-Su" in *The Compass of Zen*.

1. [Pyŏksong Chiŏm](https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Py%C5%8Fksong_Chi%C5%8Fm)

1. Rendered as "Pung-Joung Heon-Shim" in *The Compass of Zen*.

1. Hangeul and South Korean Revised Romanization

- ["Zen workshop coming in April"](http://news.galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=8f0745b19877f006). Galveston County Daily News. 2006-03-13. Retrieved 2008-01-02.[dead link]
- Ford, James Ishmael (2006). [*Zen Master Who? The Guide to the People and Stories of Zen*](https://archive.org/details/zenmasterwhoguid00jame). Wisdom Publications. ISBN 0-86171-509-8.
- Strecker, Zoe Ayn (2007). *Kentucky Off the Beaten Path, 8th Edition*. Globe Pequot. ISBN 978-0-7627-4201-1. [OCLC 85373568](https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/85373568)

## External links

- [Official site for Furnace Mountain](http://www.furnacemountainzen.org/)
- [Kwan Um transmission speech](http://www.kwanumzen.com/primarypoint/v13n1-1995-summer-dgzm-transmissionspeech.html)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Dae Gak](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dae_Gak) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dae_Gak?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.