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The Unanswered Question: Chretien De Troyes and the first Story of the Grail

350px-Perceval-Chretien NEW POSTING: The Unanswered Question

Chretien De Troyes and the first Story of the Grail

Just posted on this site under ‘Literature’ a major essay on the mythos of the Grail legend, as found in the original medieval text.

“I want to open this piece with an image rather than ideas about the Grail. Picture this scene: a young knight, in full armour, is riding through a wild and remote area of forest somewhere in the British Isles. But this is not really the Britain of history – the scene is set in that mythical version of the British Isles known as Logres, the realm of King Arthur. Now this knight’s story is to be found in a long poem written in medieval French by Chrétien De Troyes, The Romance of Perceval or The Story of the Grail (Le Roman De Perceval ou le Conte du Graal)1, which is in fact the first full-length work from the Arthurian cycles to deal with the subject of the Grail quest. ” ( For continuation of essay see ‘Literature’ pages.)

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URTHONA Buddhist arts magazine covers all aspects of contemporary and traditional arts from a Western Buddhist perspective. It is published annually in a high quality, 68 page,  glossy magazine format, and is beautifully designed. This site contains selected essays – see page listings to right, and editor’s blog – scroll down past info.

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Urthona looks at friendships of the imagination, and discovers fine examples of influence, inspiration and mentorship.  HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: * Why is it not wonderful? Maitreyabandhu on his poetic mentorship with poet Mimi Khalvati. * Being and Form: in depth interview with talented Buddhist artist, Amitajyoti. * The Grey is just the Silver untransformed…. Haunting art photograph by Brighton based Buddhist photographer Sahajatara.  * Dante and Virgil – a friendship of descent…

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This site contains selected essays and the editor’s blog. See page listings to right.

Urthona – the landscape: Our guardian spirits are the romantic and revolutionary writers of early 19th century London – Blake, Hazlitt and Coleridge – and the Zen poets of Japan who were similarly drawn to the open, outer reaches of mind and culture.  Our founding inspiration came from the Western Buddhist teacher Sangharakshita. More about our vision in ABOUT URTHONA above.

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