The great Korean monk and poet Cho O-hyun’s book of poetry, “Far-Off Saint,” has been translated into Arabic in Oman and is widely being read in the Middle East. Ashraf Dali, Chief of The AsiaN’s Middle East Bureau and translator of this book, reports that the publication of the Arabic version of “Far-Off Saint” is receiving much media coverage in Oman and Egypt.

When I was President of the Journalists Association of Korea(JAK), Monk Cho O-hyun sent us a congratulatory message for the association’s 38th anniversary in August 2002. I was deeply moved by his inspirational words not only as a journalist but even as a citizen. It says:

“Newspapers have not changed at all even though in the past the police and agents could wander around freely in the newsrooms while today the newsrooms are completely off limits. If pressed to say there is a change, it might be the size of the newspaper buildings.

“I’d like to say one more thing quoting a monk from the Chinese Tang Dynasty. If one throws dirt at a dog, it will chase after the dirt. But if one throws dirt at a lion, it will go bite the person who threw the dirt. The dirt mentioned here could be an object or speech. Also, the dog signifies a foolish person and the lion a wise one. I’d like to advise you not to waste your time and energy in vain. Don’t become the dog chasing dirt, but the lion going after the one throwing the dirt.”

See you next week!

April 24, 2013

Sincerely,
Lee Sang-ki, CEO & Publisher of the AsiaN

www.theasian.asia

kor.theasian.asia

cn.theasian.asia

ar.theasian.asia