The Supreme Patriarch is the great Buddhist priest of high virtue of Korean Buddhism who have made great efforts to develop Tiantai Buddhism rapidly and reform people.

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Supreme Patriarch Nam Dae-chung (南大忠) Daejongsa became the 2nd supreme patriarch of Chontae Order of Korean Buddhism after Supreme Patriarch Nam Dae-chung Daejongsa who rebuilt Tiantai Buddhism and paved the way for modern Korean Buddhism.

Supreme Patriarch Nam Dae-chung (南大忠) Daejongsa became the 2nd supreme patriarch of Chontae Order of Korean Buddhism after Supreme Patriarch Nam Dae-chung Daejongsa who rebuilt Tiantai Buddhism and paved the way for modern Korean Buddhism.

The Supreme Patriarch is the great Buddhist priest of high virtue of Korean Buddhism who have made great efforts to develop Tiantai Buddhism rapidly and reform people.

The Supreme Patriarch was born as a only son to 'Nam, Myeong-jin' of Yeongyang Nams and his mother of 'Andong Kims' in Yeoeuisaeng Village under Gubongpalmun (九峰八門), Sobaeksan Mt. on the 5th day of 12th month of the lunar calendar day, 1925. His common name is Iksun (益淳) and his Buddhist name is Daechung (大忠).

He became a Buddhist mon by making Supreme Patriarch Sangwol Wongak his teacher in Guinsa Temple, Sobaeksan Mt. when he was 21 years old. Supreme Patriarch Nam Dae-chung Daejongsa was the best pupil who was most faithfully taught by Supreme Patriarch Sangwol Wongak. And he respected his teacher with his heart and soul and served him filially and was one of the constant religious-minded followers of Supreme Patriarch Sangwol Wongak who practiced asceticism. As he had a very warm personality, was strictly fair in ascetic practice, and was a man of lofty character, he was expected from his friends. Especially, he always devoted himself to practice asceticism day and night because his belief in asceticism was very strong.

upreme Patriarch Sangwol Wongak certified that Supreme Patriarch Nam Dae-chung Daejongsa found enlightenment after practicing steady asceticism with all his heart in 1960 when he was 36 years old. And The Suprem Patriarch approved his enlightenment while he answered to questions of Buddhist writings in Mahasangha Congregation in Winter Vassa of 1967. Then, his qualification of the new leader in the monastic order as the discipline of Supreme Patriarch Sangwol Wongak was nothing sort of perfect.

He became the 2nd Jeongjeong of Chontae Order of Korean Buddhism after succeeding to the religious tradition of Supreme Patriarch Sangwol Wongak on July 2, 1974. The Supreme Patriarch held a important position while all the people of Tiantai Buddhism were sad and dejected because Supreme Patriarch Sangwol Wongak entered Nirvana. He showed the spirit of endurance and his excellent leadership having a sense of mission.

Supreme Patriarch Nam Dae-chung Daejongsa strictly practiced asceticism even though he was very busy and was generous to the people to share their little difficulties and slight pain. The Supreme Patriarch who made efforts to ease all the people's pain with endless mercy faithfully carried on the work left unfinished by Supreme Patriarch Sangwol Wongak.

More than 70 temples in the whole country including Samgwangsa Temple in Busan, Daeseongsa Temple in Daegu, Samhaksa Temple in Masan, Myeongjangsa Temple in Cheongju, Jeonggwangsa Temple in Ulsan, Samwunsa Temple in Chuncheon, Mungangsa Temple in Jeju, and Songdeoksa Temple in Songtan as well as Jungchang the Buddhist service (중창 the Buddhist service) in Guinsa Temple were built under the guidance of Supreme Patriarch Nam Dae-chung Daejongsa. The nation awarded the Achievement Award to him on April 1980 and November 1987 by approving his service and dignified miens that led Korean Buddhism to a straight way.

The 2nd Supreme Patriarch Nam Dae-chung Daejongsa accomplished the remarkable development of the religious influence of Tiantai Buddhism and made every effort for the public system. And he entered Nirvana on September 3, 1993 at the age of 69 after spending 48 years as the Buddhist monk.