Baha'i News: Baha'i holy writings made widely available to Korean public for first time

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Baha'i holy writings made widely available to Korean public for first time
http://news.bahai.org/story/885


SEOUL, South Korea, 1 February 2012 (BWNS) – An ambitious project to translate 
a collection of Baha'u'llah's writings into Korean reaches fruition this month 
with the book's publication. 

The volume, known in English as "Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah," 
will be the first Baha'i book in Korean to be widely available from bookshops 
and online retailers.

"The main reason for publishing Baha'i literature in our language is to reach 
out to the whole of society with this new message for humanity," said Hee Jin 
Koo, a member of the task force overseeing the publication.

First published in English in 1935, "Gleanings" is a well-loved anthology of 
some of the writings of Baha'u'llah, which were originally penned in Persian 
and Arabic. The selection includes extracts on such themes as the purpose of 
life, the unity of religion, and the spiritual requisites of peace and 
civilization.

Work began on the new translation in 2003 when a small group began meeting to 
discuss a few paragraphs or pages each week. 

"A particular challenge was the translation of certain religious terms," said 
So Jeong Park, who worked on the book. To find a standardized vocabulary, the 
task force drew on words commonly used in Korea's various religious traditions 
– including Buddhism, Christianity and Islam. For other terms, an original 
translation had to be devised.

The first draft was completed in late 2010, followed by a full year of 
rewriting and revisions. 

In addition to the 410 pages of Baha'u'llah's text, the new edition includes a 
preface that introduces the history and teachings of the Baha'i Faith to a 
general audience. A lengthy glossary also explains terms found in its sacred 
writings. 

"We hope these features will greatly increase the accessibility of the book," 
said Dr. Park.

The decision to make "Gleanings" available in major bookstores, through 
libraries and universities, and via online retailers, came late last year after 
the manuscript was finalized. Earlier translations of extracts from "Gleanings" 
were previously widely used by individuals and at Baha'i meetings but, until 
now, no Baha'i literature has been so accessible to the Korean public.

In particular, it is believed that publishing an electronic edition will have a 
great impact. 

"It means everybody can download it onto their own gadget," said Hee Jin Koo, 
"and they are the ones who will participate in distributing and disseminating 
it far and wide."





To read the article online and view photographs, go to:
http://news.bahai.org/story/885

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