[One Thousand Characters a Day] Professor Park Jaehee's '3-Minute Classics' <1> - Wakwongdongjin

Editor's NoteAsia Economy provides daily 1,000-character transcription content for the 'One Day, One Thousand Characters' newsletter readers. The transcription content is carefully selected according to daily and monthly themes from Eastern and Western classics, Korean literature, notable columns, and famous speeches. This week, we introduce a portion of ＜3-Minute Classics＞, written by classical philosopher Professor Park Jaehee, who has passionately conveyed the wisdom and insights of Eastern philosophy to the public through university lectures, various broadcasts, and talks. True to its descriptions as a 'short book that contains the world' and a 'book encompassing all wisdom and life skills,' this book guides readers to understand and practice the wisdom of the classics beyond mere words and writing, applying it to oneself, surroundings, and the world. The profound insights and solid wisdom drawn from over 40 classics?from Confucian Four Books and Five Classics to Laozi and Zhuangzi, military strategy, and the thoughts of various philosophers?will serve as a beacon for those seeking strength to overcome crises and foresight for the future. Word count: 931 characters.

Hwagikwang, Donggijin (和基光, 同基塵)

Dim Your Own Radiance! Align with the Worldly Perspective!

The biggest problem among highly educated and high-status people is their belief that only their thoughts and decisions are correct. They think others are inferior and that only they can make the right judgments and decisions, so they stubbornly refuse to give up their claims and obstinacy. However, sometimes it is more beautiful to dim your brilliant radiance and align with the worldly perspective.

In Laozi's ＜Tao Te Ching＞, wise people are advised to adopt the attitude of 'Hwagikwang Dongjin (和光同塵).' "Wise people! Break your sharp wisdom! Free yourself from complicated tricks. Soften your brilliant light (和, harmony), and be together (同) with this world (塵, dust)." Hwa (和) means harmony. Gwang (光) means brightness. It means to reduce your own radiance to harmonize with the surrounding light. Dong (同) means together. Jin (塵) means the worldly or dust. It advises hiding your superiority and being with the world.

Everyone wishes to shine brighter. But the brighter one shines, the more distant others become. When a talented person is too confident and pushes their own ideas, people around them become intimidated and find it hard to approach. To become a great leader, rather than standing tall and boasting of one’s excellence, it is necessary to soften your light and lower yourself to the level of the people, standing together with the masses.

There was a time when heroes were needed. A time when capable, intelligent, and brilliant people led the ignorant. But now the times have changed. The era when someone had to take the lead and push things forward is over. Nowadays, the education level of ordinary people has significantly improved compared to before. We must trust them. Without aligning with their perspective, neither families, companies, nor nations can be whole.

- Park Jaehee, ＜3-Minute Classics＞, Gimyoungsa, 22,000 KRW