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Ko Un Korea (1933 - ) Timeline Buddhist : Zen / Chan Poems by Ko Un Books - Links |
He became a Zen Buddhist monk in the 1950s, and returned to secular life sometime in the 1960s.
Ko Un became an activist opposing the harsh and arbitrary rule of South Korea's president, President Park Chung-hee. His dissident activities led to several terms of imprisonment and torture.
The democratization of South Korea in the late 1980s finally gave Ko Un the freedom to travel to other countries, including a visit to the United States and make a spiritual journey through India.
He married in 1985 and had a daughter.
I recently became aware of allegations of sexual misconduct by Ko Un from a few different women. This is always troubling to hear about in a public figure who has otherwise been a source of inspiration and courage for people. It once again raises the question for us, does the conduct of the man tarnish our appreciation of his art? I have to say, for me personally, it does. Having said that, I have heard whispers that there may be hidden politics behind the accusations. I don't claim to know the truth of the matter. It remains an aching uncertainty. Each of us must reach our own sense of assessment, integration and/or rejection in these situations.
Poems by Ko Un
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What?: 108 Zen Poems | Ten Thousand Lives | The Three Way Tavern: Selected Poems | Little Pilgrim: A Novel | Flowers of a Moment |
Related Links
Ko Un - Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ko_Un
Very brief biography, but with some good links.
Ko Un
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/koun.htm
Another biography online.
Ko Un
http://www.koun.co.kr
Ko Un's official web site, with biographical information, bibliography, photographs, and more.
A Full Biography of Ko Un
http://hompi.sogang.ac.kr/anthony/KoUnFull.htm
A fairly detailed biography by Ko Un's translator, Brother Anthony.
Ko Un
http://hompi.sogang.ac.kr/anthony/klt/97april/koun.htm
Several poems by Ko Un.
Ko Un's Place in Modern Korean Poetry
http://www.changbi.com/english/related/related3_1.asp
An in depth article by Choi Won-shik
Ko Un's Ten Thousand Lives
http://hompi.sogang.ac.kr/anthony/ManinboTen.htm
A selection of poems from Ko Un's collection, Ten Thousand Lives/Maninbo
Words Without Borders: Ko Un
http://www.wordswithoutborders.org/article.php?lab=KoUnMoon
Several poems by Ko Un.