urthonamag

Where are all the dark paths now?

‘Where are all the dark paths now? The Pure Land itself is near’ – Zen Master Hakuin. Ratnagarbha explores the Buddhist Pure Land tradition through a painting from old Tibet.

American Zen – new issue published

Issue 35 investigates the influence of Zen Buddhism on American letters and arts, from Pound to Cage via Abstract Expressionism. CLICK IMAGE for FREE sample. Purchase at SQUARE Store.

T. S. Eliot – Ends and beginnings

I don’t normally share newspaper items, but on the eve of the final chapter of Brexit I found this post about T. S. Eliot poignant… T. S Eliot in The Guardian

Magnificence of Monteverdi

Classical music on CD: Ratnagarbha reviews recent Monteverdi releases and discovers a wealth of interpretations

Just posted: an introduction to Homer’s Iliad by Dharmavadana

The Iliad on urthona literature pages

Just Published: from Ratnagarbha, an in depth essay of comparative mythology in the spirit of Joseph Campbell, comparing the foundational cosmic mythos of Buddhism, Platonism and Gnosticism. A fascinating look at how ancient stories about the origin of the cosmos have influenced different civilisations. https://urthona.com/culture-science-society/three-cosmogenic-myths/

Cambridge Edgelands

A journey into the scruffy outer zones of Cambridge, with camera in hand. Click below… CAMBRIDGE EDGELANDS

Four Buddhist Composers

Contemporary composers who are strongly influenced by Buddhism are not often featured in the music press, but there are several very talented figures working currently. Here are four to note: Akashadeva – David Earl

Auden for now?

What would that great poet of political engagement in the twentieth century have made of the current state of the world? Would it have brought out the ambivalently committed English socialist of the earlier years, or the Christian humanitarian Auden of maturity? Would he have understood that modern right wing populism is not quite theContinue reading “Auden for now?”

Black Mountain Blues

Optic Nerve is a Blakean project based in South London. Largely self-funded they are producing fascinating videos about poetry and contemporary music. Especially the black mountain poets and the Objectivist poets of 20th century America. And from Britain material on Elaine Feinstein – her ‘Song of Power’. I also highly recommend the interview with ‘theContinue reading “Black Mountain Blues”

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