Dharma Assembly Held Marking the Publication of 10 Contemporary Korean Buddhist Writings Translated into English

The 10 selected works written by eminent Korean monastics, including Ven. Gyeongheo, Ven. Yongseong, Ven. Seokjeon, Ven. Manhae and Buddhist scholars, are now available for international readers. The Committee for English Translation and Publication of Collected Works of Korean Buddhism of the Jogye Order announced the publication of the 10 English-translated prominent works on Korean Buddhism written in the late modern period to the Buddhist altar of Jogyesa. On September 12, the Dharma assembly marking the meaningful publication was held at the Hall of the Great Hero of Jogyesa.  

The assembly was highlighted by the attendance of Ven. Jaseung (President of the Jogye Order), Ven. Wonhaeng (Chairman of the Central Council of the Jogye Order), Ven. Hyuneung (Executive Director of Jogye Order Monastic Training), Ven. Jihong (Executive Director of Dharma Propagation), Ven. Jagwang (Chairman of the Board of Dongguk University), Ven. Bogwang (President of Dongguk University) and Deputy Minister Kim Gapsu of the Religious Affairs Office of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The well-known Korean Buddhist writings, such as The Gyeongheo Collection by Gyeongheo Seong’u, Harmonizing the Hundred Teachings by Yi Neunghwa and The Sun over the Sea of Enlightenment by Baek Yongseong, are the prime examples of the Committee’s translation project. In addition to the above-mentioned books familiar to Korean readers, An Anthology of East Asian Commentaries on the Nyayapravesa by Park Hanyeong was introduced for the first time to both domestic and international readers, drawing attention from the publication community. Other works translated into English this time include Tracts on the Modern Reformation of Korean Buddhism by Gwon Sangro, Yi Yeongjae and Han Youngun, The Temple of Words: An Anthology of Modern Korean Buddhist Poetry by Han Yongun and others, A Collection of Modern Korean Buddhist Discourses by Choe Namseon and others, Sheaves of Korean Buddhist History by Kim Yeongsu, A Study of Korean Pagodas by Ko Youseop and Essential Compendium for Buddhists: A Modern Buddhist Liturgy by Choe Chwiheo and Ahn Jinho. 

The project of translating the 10 prominent contemporary works on Korean Buddhism into English has been conducted since 2013, following the completion of publishing the 26 English-translated Selected Works in 2012. With the enactment of the regulations on establishment and operation of the Committee for English Translation and Publication of Collected Works of Korean Buddhism, the Jogye Order selected 10 outstanding contemporary works on Korean Buddhist philosophy, culture, history and criticism out of the 320 books introduced between 1900 and 1945 and had the 10 selected writings translated into English. After the selection process was concluded, the Order laid the foundation for the translation and publication project by carrying out text analysis, recruiting translators and proofreaders, compiling manuals on translation and publication, comparing various editions of books and drafting Korean texts through interpretation of Chinese characters. Chairman Kim Jongwook of the Korean Buddhist Culture Research Institute and Professor Kim Yongtae of the Academy of Buddhist Studies of Dongguk University and renowned scholars engaged in selection of the 10 works and translation, while professor Kim Sangil of the Department of Korean language and literature of Dongguk University participated in drafting the Korean text for An Anthology of East Asian Commentaries on the Nyayapravesa. Distinguished scholars, including honorary professor David McCann of Harvard University, professor John Jorgenson of La Trobe University and professor Pori Park of Arizona State University, led the translation project.

At the Dharma assembly held at Jogyesa on September 12, Ven. Jaseung presented an award to Chairman Kim Jongwook of the Korean Buddhist Culture Research Institute of Dongguk University who supervised the entire planning and editing process of the project. The 10 selected works dedicatedly translated and published were offered to the Buddhist altar of the Hall of the Great Hero of Jogyesa, following the progress report delivered by Chairman Kim Jongwook. 

The President of the Order highlighted the significance of the project of translation and publication of the collected works of Korean Buddhism by describing that the completion of the project is an important milestone of the Korean Buddhist history. In his congratulatory speech, Ven. Jaseung said, “The translation and publication of selected works of Korean Buddhism will contribute to letting the universal, original and outstanding values of Korean Buddhist philosophy and culture more widely known throughout the world. The Jogye Order has dedicatedly worked hard for letting the world know more about Korean Buddhism and Buddhist culture through a variety of efforts. The translation project is part of the devoted efforts.”

Deputy Minister Kim Gapsu of the Religious Affairs Office of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism delivered a congratulatory speech on behalf of Culture Minister Do Jongwhan, “The 10 selected works introduced today focus on philosophy, literature, criticism, arts and history of Korean Buddhism in the modern period, succeeding the cultural traditions of Korean people even during the dark colonial period. The translated works will make a significant contribution to spiritual enrichment of the society going forward, hopefully inspiring international readers who will be able to meet the lives of the Buddhist leaders introduced in the 10 collected works.” 

Meanwhile, the Jogye Order plans to continue the project of selecting and translating outstanding writings on Korean Buddhism in the modern period by 2022.

Article reference: http://www.ibulgyo.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=159766

You can download the collected works of Korean Buddhism at the official website of the Jogye Order: /bbs/board.php?bo_table=5040