Ko Un, Ko Un poetry, Buddhist, Buddhist poetry, Zen / Chan poetry,  poetry,  poetry Ko Un
Korea (1933 - ) Timeline
Buddhist : Zen / Chan


Poems by Ko Un
Books - Links

Ko Un was a witness to the devastation of the Korean War. He volunteered for the People's Army, but was rejected because he was underweight.

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


Recommended Books: Ko Un

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.
Ko Un