Celebrating Peace and Communication! The 2011 Manhae Festival

Manhae Han Yong-un

Manhae Han Yong-un was a poet who devoted his life for Buddhism, literature, and the independence of Korea. He dreamt of peace during the Japanese colonial period, when there seemed to be nothing but darkness ahead.

Jeon Bo-sam who is the Director of the Manhae Museum said, "Manhae Han Yong-un is a poet who wrote the great poem "Love's Silence," and an independence fighter who led the March 1st Independence Movement. He is also a Korean well-known for being a great thinker and Buddhist monk."

The Festival is held in Inje county, of Gangwon Province, and is about three hours from Seoul. It was here, near Baekdam Temple where Manhae Han Yong-un wrote his seminal poem "Love's Silence," the "Manhae Festival" is an annual event held every year in mid-August.

Hong Sa-seong who is the Executive Director of the 2011 Manhae Festival said, "The Manhae Grand Prize was created to promote Manhae's love of life, peace, and the Korean people. We are hoping that this award will spread Manhae's thoughts and philosophy not only all over Korea, but also the world."

It has already been 67 years since he passed away, but Korea still strives to remember him and his work. A special ceremony is held before awarding the Manhae Grand Prize to renowned figures who were carrying on Manhae Han Yong-un's spirit of life, love, and patriotism. The formal ceremony begins by laying flowers at the bust of Manhae Han Yong-un.

Choung Byoung-gug who is the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism was quoted, "Manhae's philosophy, which is based on the Buddhist philosophies of peace and equality, can truly become the foundation on which the Korean people can resolve social conflicts and achieve unification, peace, and prosperity."

This year, the Manhae Peace Prize went to Anuradha Koirala, the director of Maiti Nepal who works to rescue girls from sex slavery. The Manhae Practice Prize was awarded to Sirisenda Banda Hettiaratchi, a Sri Lankan archaeologist. The prize for literature was awarded to Korean poet Lee Keun-bae, and Chinese novelist Mo Yan, the author of the original novel of the movie "Red Sorghum."

The author Mo Yan, was asked about receiving the literature prize and said, "I was very excited when I first heard that I had been awarded this prize. The Manhae Grand Prize is a symbolic prize awarded to many great writers, and it is a great honor for me."

Sirisenda Banda Hettiaratchi, who received the Practice Prize said, "Well, it is a great honor. For the whole academic world and for my country also. Not a personal thing. When I receive that award, certainly, I'll be happy, but that happiness is not for me. It is for the whole world."

Manhae Han Yong-un was especially beloved by the Korean people for his "Love's Silence," which expressed his passion for Korean independence and his love for Korea.

My love is gone.

Ah, the one I love is gone.

Crossing the narrow path

to the maple grove

that shatters the mountain green,

She tore away from me.

The love that he spoke of in the poem was Korea, and its independence. 2011 marks the 15th anniversary of the Manhae Festival, which adopted the theme of "peace and communication" for this year.

Perhaps that is why so much of the spotlight was focused on Anuradha Koirala, the winner of the Manhae Peace Prize. She stated, "This award will always remind my people and me that problems still exist and we have to work hard to fight this crime and keep the society free of tragedy." Some call her the“Mother of Nepal," or "Nepal's Mother Theresa." Since she established Maiti Nepal in 1993, she has rescued, treated, and educated 12,000 Nepalese women who had been trapped in sexual slavery.

Anuradha Koirala, Winner of Manhae Peace Prize said,"I think the only thing which I will learn from him is peace and wisdom. I am working on the part which Manhae has shown, that you have to work for peace and stability. I always have in mind, only one thing. Let us be a world free of trafficking."

Freedom is the life of the world, and peace is the happiness of life. The weak are not weak by nature, and the strong cannot be strong forever. Manhae Han Yong-un's legacy was a philosophy of non-violence and peace, based on Buddhist thought.

What would he have wanted to teach to us, living in the modern world was echoed by Sirisenda Banda Hettiaratchi, "What Master Manhae taught us, how best we can propagate Master Manhae's peace for the peaceful coexistence of the people and respect for human life. How to work towards these two directions."