The relationship between women and emotion presents intricate challenges, especially concerning the experiences of Asian women in both Korea and the U.S. However, “emotion” is essential for exploring women’s agency and subjectivity through the experiences of women in Korean patriarchal history. This study examines women’s emotions and experiences under the Korean patriarchy, from the Joseon dynasty to the present, focusing on the dynamics of women’s roles within families and religious communities shaped by Confucianism and Buddhism. Two main aspects are explored: first, the Confucian perspective on emotions, particularly regarding women’s emotions in familial and societal contexts, is contrasted with Buddhist interpretations; second, this study highlights how Seon (Ch. Chan/Jp. Zen 禪) practices among Korean nuns promote personal and collective well-being through self-cultivation, benefiting both human and non-human entities as an expression of eco-dharma. These practices convert negative emotions into deeper compassion and wisdom, which I refer to as “planetary love,” allowing women to transcend their roles as daughters and wives and embrace a greater self that nurtures life for all sentient beings. The Seon practices of Korean Buddhist nuns exemplify the convergence of Buddhism and Confucianism, focusing on “self-cultivation” that fosters an expansive eco-dharma, referred to as salim 살림 (enlivening). In this framework, emotion or jeong 정/情, emerges as a shared value across both traditions.