Han Yong-un facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Man-hae
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | August 29, 1879 Hongseong, South Chungcheong Province, Joseon |
| Died | June 29, 1944 (aged 64) |
| Language | Korean |
| Nationality | Korean |
| Citizenship | Korean |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul |
한용운
|
| Hanja |
韓龍雲
|
| Revised Romanization | Han Yong-un |
| McCune–Reischauer | Han Yongun |
| Art name | |
| Hangul |
만해
|
| Hanja |
萬海, also 卍海
|
| Revised Romanization | Manhae |
| McCune–Reischauer | Manhae |
| Birth name | |
| Hangul |
한유천
|
| Hanja |
韓裕天
|
| Revised Romanization | Han Yu-cheon |
| McCune–Reischauer | Han Yuch'ŏn |
| Courtesy name | |
| Hangul |
정옥
|
| Hanja |
貞玉
|
| Revised Romanization | Jeongok |
| McCune–Reischauer | Chŏngok |
| Dharma name | |
| Hangul |
한봉완
|
| Hanja |
奉玩
|
| Revised Romanization | Pongwan |
Han Yong-un (Korean: 한용운; born August 29, 1879 – died June 29, 1944) was an important figure in Korea. He was a Buddhist monk, a reformer, and a poet. His religious name was Han Yong-un, which he received in 1905. His pen name, or art name, was Manhae (만해). His birth name was Han Yu-cheon.
Contents
Life of Han Yong-un
Manhae was born in a place called Yucheon, in Hongseong, which is in South Chungcheong Province, during the Joseon period of Korea. When he was a child, he studied classic Chinese writings. He learned these at a seodang, which was a type of traditional school common in Joseon Korea.
Early Activism and Becoming a Monk
Before he became a monk, Manhae was involved in resisting Japan's growing influence in Korea. This influence eventually led to Japan taking control of Korea from 1905 to 1945. From 1896, he lived quietly at Ose-am, a part of the Baekdam Temple. During this time, he studied many Buddhist holy texts. He also read books about modern philosophy.
In 1905, he officially became a monk in the Jogye Order, a major branch of Korean Buddhism. In 1908, he traveled to Japan. He visited several temples there to learn more about Buddhism and Eastern philosophy. He stayed in Japan for six months.
Role in Independence Movement
In 1919, Manhae became one of the brave Koreans who signed the Korean Declaration of Independence. This declaration was a strong statement against Japanese rule. It showed his deep love for his country and his desire for its freedom.
Manhae's Important Works
Manhae was also a writer who spoke out about social issues. He strongly believed that Korean Buddhism needed to change and become more modern.
Poetry and Nationalism
Manhae's poems often talked about nationalism, which means a strong love for one's country. One of his most famous poetry books is Nimui Chimmuk (Lover's Silence). It was published in 1926. These poems shared ideas about equality and freedom. They also helped inspire Koreans to use peaceful ways to resist Japanese rule. This was a big part of the Korean independence movement.
Calling for Buddhist Reform
In 1913, Han Yong-un published a book called "The Restoration of Korean Buddhism" (Joseonbulgyo-yusimlon). In this book, he said that Joseon Buddhism was stuck in the past. He felt it did not fit with the modern world. This book caused a stir among thinkers at the time.
In his work, he promoted ideas like equality for everyone. He also talked about finding one's true self. He believed that Buddhism could help protect the world and encourage progress. His strong belief in these ideas made him an important activist and thinker.
Inspiring Youth and Activism
In 1918, Han published another work called "Whole Mind" (Yusim). This book was written to inspire and guide young people. The next year, he played a very important role in the 3.1 Independence movement. This was a huge peaceful protest against Japanese rule. Because of his involvement, he was held in prison for three years.
While he was in prison, Han wrote "Reasons for Korean Independence" (Joseondoglib-i-yuseo). This was his answer to the official questions about his political actions. He was later released from prison in 1922. After his release, he traveled all over Korea giving lectures. He wanted to encourage and inspire young people, just as he had aimed to do with "Whole Mind." In 1924, he became the leader of the Buddhist youth assembly.
Nim-ui Chimmuk and Its Meaning
The poems in Han's book Nim-ui Chimmuk were written at Baekdam Temple the year before it was published. This book became very popular with literary critics and thinkers. Han wrote many other things, including Chinese poems, sijo (a type of Korean poetry), and novels like Dark Wind (Heukpung). But Nim-ui Chimmuk is still seen as his most important literary work.
In Nim-ui Chimmuk, his love for Korea is shown as a deep longing for a loved one. This can be seen in his poem "I Do Not Know":
Whose footstep is that paulownia leaf that falls silently in the windless air, drawing a perpendicular?
Whose face is that piece of blue sky peeping through the black clouds, chased by the west wind after a dreary rain?
Whose breath is that unnameable fragrance, born amid the green moss in the flowerless deep forest and trailing over the ancient tower?
Whose song is that winding stream gushing from an unknown source and breaking against the rocks?
Whose poem is that twilight that adorns the falling day, treading over the boundless sea with lotus feet and caressing the vast sky with jade hands?
The ember becomes oil again.
Ah, for whose night does this feeble lantern keep vigil, the unquenchable flame in my heart?
Han was inspired by the Indian poet Rabindranath Tagore. Tagore's work influenced Han's passionate and long poems about devotion. In 2007, the Korean Poets' Association named Han Yong-un as one of the ten most important modern Korean poets.
