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II. HAN..Big or Whole

The second characteristic of Han means big or whole. An integrated community will enjoy unity, cooperation, harmony and peace.

A. Unity

The human race originates from different traditions, social backgrounds, levels of education and ethnic backgrounds. Each segment of the population possess different opinions, ideas, thoughts and behaviors. As long as one person believes that his is part of a collective community, there can be compromise among these differences.

The value of both good and bad in Han philosophy is based on the whole. Actions which benefit one as an individual, but harm the whole is considered to be bad. However, actions that benefit the individual as well as the whole group is considered to be good.

The Sunbi of Koguryo and the Wha Rang of Silla both placed great moral value on the whole. They respected each other and would have never betrayed a comrade on the battlefield. Master Won Hyo said that one should place value in the benefit of others as much as in himself. For example, the captain of a passenger ship must sail his ship safely to the destination. He is concerned not only for his personal safety, but the safety of the passengers and crew. The captain and the passengers share a common goal - reaching their destination safely.

B. Harmony

Han philosophy contains harmony and this penetrated into daily life in Korea. Harmony is two or more elements combining with one another to become a part of the whole without losing their respective identities. Nature is a great example of harmony. Great beauty in nature does not come from a single element but from many elements such as a clear water stream, a green mountain, and blossoming flowers. All of the elements contribute to the beauty of nature.

When the Sunbi or Wha Rang began their martial arts training, their teachers did not teach them techniques first. The students learned how to empty their minds through Zen meditation. Then they were taught how to build strong bodies as they traveled through the rugged mountain terrain and beaches on the shores of rivers and seas. Finally, the students were allowed to learn martial arts techniques. In this way, they learned how to harmonize three elements, mind, body, and techniques, to perform at their maximum ability.

C. Cooperation

Geographically, Korea is located between China and Japan. It is a natural land bridge between the two countries. Beginning in the 1st century BC, Korea has faced invasion by the Chinese, Mongolians, Manchurians, and Japanese. Each time the Korean people cooperated with one another to defend their country and expel the invaders. This spirit of cooperation comes from the Han philosophy.

Han philosophy does not see two people as separate identities but as members of the whole. This mind of wholeness has brought cooperation among the Koreans. One person helps another person when they are in need of assistance. This spirit of cooperation has become a way of life in Korea. As an example of this, Master Yul Kok, Secretary of Ceremony during the Lee Kingdom, encouraged the villagers to provide assistance when a house was destroyed by fire or water, a persons property was stolen, a poor man's parents became ill or dies, children lost their parents and were orphaned, and a family fell into poverty.

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