Han Yong-un

Manhae (August 29, 1879 – June 29, 1944) was a twentieth century Korean Buddhist reformer and poet. Manhae was his pen name; his birth name was Han Yu-cheon, but he is universally known by the name he was given by his meditation instructor in 1907, Han Yong-un (Korean: 한용운 or; also written Han Yong-woon)

Manhae was born in northern Gyeongsang province in what is today South Korea. Prior to being ordained, he was involved in resistance to Japanese influence in the country, which culminated in the Japanese occupation from 1905 to 1945. The same year the occupation began, 1905, Manhae was ordained as a Buddhist monk at Baekdam Temple on Mt. Seorak.

As a social writer, Manhae called for the reform of Korean Buddhism.

Manhae's poetry dealt with both nationalism and sexual love. One of his more political collections was Nimui Chimmuk (님의 침묵), published in 1926. These works revolve around the ideas of equality and freedom, and helped inspire the tendencies toward passive resistance and non-violence in the Korean independence movement.

The Following is a Korean-English presentation of one of his masterpiece works: "님의 침묵(沈默):My Lord’s Silence"

님의 침묵(沈默):My Lord’s Silence

님은 갔습니다. 아아, 사랑하는 나의 님은 갔습니다. 푸른 산빛을 깨치고 단풍나무 숲을 향하여 난 작은 길을 걸어서 차마 떨치고 갔습니다. 황금(黃金)의 꽃같이 굳고 빛나든 옛 맹서(盟誓)는 차디찬 티끌이 되어서 한숨의 미풍(微風)에 날아갔습니다.

My Lord has gone. O, my dear Lord has left.

Breaking away the azure color of hills, my Lord has departed on foot

On the tiny trail toward maple woods, hesitantly dragging himself away.

The age-old oath, firm and gleaming like golden flowers, turned to chaff

And with a of sigh of breeze, it was blown away.

날카로운 첫 키스의 추억(追憶)은 나의 운명(運命)의 지침(指針)을 돌려 놓고, 뒷걸음쳐서 사라졌습니다. 나는 향기로운 님의 말소리에 귀먹고, 꽃다운 님의 얼굴에 눈멀었습니다.

The memory of a jolting first kiss that changed the direction of my fate,

Now has disappeared, walking backward.

My eyes and ears were numbed by your sweet words and flowery face.

사랑도 사람의 일이라, 만날 때에 미리 떠날 것을 염려하고 경계하지 아니한 것은 아니지만, 이별은 뜻밖의 일이 되고, 놀란 가슴은 새로운 슬픔에 터집니다

For love is a human affair, about parting I was nor unwary nor without caution.

Yet my Lord’s departure was sudden, and my startled heart burst into sorrow.

그러나 이별을 쓸데없는 눈물의 원천(源泉)을 만들고 마는 것은 스스로 사랑을 깨치는 것인 줄 아는 까닭에, 걷잡을 수 없는 슬픔의 힘을 옮겨서 새 희망(希望)의 정수박이에 들어부었습니다.

Even so, for I know letting this parting 'bootless source of tears'

Might itself blight the spirit of my love,

I changed gear of the force in this unbearable sorrow

And poured it into the scoop of “Hope”.

우리는 만날 때에 떠날 것을 염려하는 것과 같이, 떠날 때에 다시 만날 것을 믿습니다. 아아, 님은 갔지마는 나는 님을 보내지 아니하였습니다.

As we care about parting when we meet, so do we believe in "reunion" when we part.

Ah, my Lord has left, yet I’ve not sent him.

제 곡조를 못 이기는 사랑의 노래는 님의 침묵(沈默)을 휩싸고 돕니다.

The melodious love tune, not able to overcome its own rhyme

Just circles around in My Lord’s Silence.

(English Translation by MHLEE)