Beop Jeong was born in Haenam, Jeollanam-do in 1932. He renounced the world and received novice training under the virtuous Monk Hyobong in 1956, and in 1959 he became a bikkhu (ordained monk). While resolutely engaging in Buddhist practices, Beop Jeong remained active in and outside of Buddhist society. He built the hermitage Bulilam behind Songgwangsa Temple and began a life of solitude there in 1975. The popularity of his collection of essays, Musoyu (non-possession) released in 1976 spread through word-of-mouth and established itself as a steady seller. Most of his following books became bestsellers, and Beop Jeong became a renowned essayist. On March 11, 2010, Beop Jeong entered Nirvana at Gilsangsa Temple at the age of 78 (in the 54th year of his monkhood).