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Category Archives: art and the sacred
Three Cosmogenic Myths
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/
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
New Post – striking mythic drawings based on ancient slavic beliefs
We feature the fascinating mythic art work of Marek Hapon based on the ancient slavic beliefs of his pagan ancestors. “My first contact with ancient Slavic beliefs occurred while spending summers at my grandmother’s farm in eastern Poland. It was there that I discovered the world of supernatural beings — some frightening and others wondrous. OneContinue reading “New Post – striking mythic drawings based on ancient slavic beliefs”
Just posted in Culture and Society: Ruskin’s Seven Lamps and the power of art
Just posted a talk given by Ratnagarbha on the art critic John Ruskin and his relevance to people who believe in the power of art to transform self and world. Find the talk here: Ruskin’s Seven Lamps
Just posted new essay on Buddhism and the rebirth of a culture of beauty.
The face I had before the world was made: Why art, Buddhism and beauty go hand in hand – a major new essay which sets out the values behind Urthona journal of Buddhism and the Arts, a journey in the company of James Hillman, Sangharakshita and W. B. Yeats by Urthona editor, Ratnagarbha. The first book to be written from a Western perspective onContinue reading “Just posted new essay on Buddhism and the rebirth of a culture of beauty.”
What the Silence Meant – Poems and Music that Celebrate Stillness and Listening
Simon Millward looks at a new book of poems ‘in conversation’ with the late, great American poet William Stafford, and the music of Meg Hutchinson. Both of these artists show a strong feeling for silence and the value of listening… In the last issue of Urthona there was an article entitled ‘Hearing the wilderness listen’,Continue reading “What the Silence Meant – Poems and Music that Celebrate Stillness and Listening”
Discipleship – an idea worth ressurecting?
The dictionary says that a disciple is ‘the follower of the doctrines of a teacher or school of thought’. But this doesn’t really convey the experiential flavour of that ancient institution. In days gone by, when you took up a trade or a course of study in guild, church or university, you were apprenticed toContinue reading “Discipleship – an idea worth ressurecting?”
William Blake and the technology of publishing
Blake is virtually unique in European art for the way in which image and poetry are married in his visionary prophetic books. Early in his professional life Blake hit upon a novel method for printing his own books from etched copper plates, where hand written text and images could be combined.
Zen and Ice
Without water no Buddhas! Zen Master Hakuin says: ‘All beings from the very beginning are Buddhas, it is like water and ice, without water no ice, without living beings no Buddhas’. This suggests that metaphorically living beings are water and the Buddha ice. In one way this is appropriate because liquid water is the generalContinue reading “Zen and Ice”
