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The Religion of Art
In this collection of four essays, Sangharakshita - a Buddhist teacher and poet - discusses how art, like religion, can challenge our perceptions, awareness and experience of truth. Recounting his own experiences as a young monk and poet, he urges the reader to apply a similar kind of awareness in looking at art to that developed in meditation. In so doing he shows how both have the power to transform the way we see ourselves and the world. This new edition has been entirely reset and features a timeless new cover and introduction by Dhivan.
232 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2004
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About the author
Sangharakshita
205 books76 followersSangharakshita was born Dennis Lingwood in South London, in 1925. Largely self-educated, he developed an interest in the cultures and philosophies of the East early on, and realized that he was a Buddhist at the age of sixteen.
The Second World War took him, as a conscript, to India, where he stayed on to become the Buddhist monk Sangharakshita. After studying for some years under leading teachers from the major Buddhist traditions, he went on to teach and write extensively. He also played a key part in the revival of Buddhism in India, particularly through his work among followers of Dr B.R. Ambedkar.
After twenty years in the East, he returned to England to establish the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order in 1967, and the Western Buddhist Order in 1968 (now known as the Triratna Buddhist Community and the Triratna Buddhist Order respectively).
Sangharakshita has always particularly emphasized the decisive significance of commitment in the spiritual life, the paramount value of spiritual friendship and community, the link between religion and art, and the need for a ‘new society’ supportive of spiritual aspirations and ideas.
In recent years Sangharakshita has been handing on most of his responsibilities to his senior disciples in the Order. Based at the Adhisthana retreat centre in Herefordshire UK, he is now focusing on personal contact with people. For more, go to www.sangharakshita.org.
A collection of 27 volumes will represent the definitive edition of his life’s work as a Buddhist writer and teacher. Find out more about The Complete Works of Sangharakshita
A series of talks by Sangharakshita: ‘Launch of The Essential Sangharakshita and Living Ethically’.
The Second World War took him, as a conscript, to India, where he stayed on to become the Buddhist monk Sangharakshita. After studying for some years under leading teachers from the major Buddhist traditions, he went on to teach and write extensively. He also played a key part in the revival of Buddhism in India, particularly through his work among followers of Dr B.R. Ambedkar.
After twenty years in the East, he returned to England to establish the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order in 1967, and the Western Buddhist Order in 1968 (now known as the Triratna Buddhist Community and the Triratna Buddhist Order respectively).
Sangharakshita has always particularly emphasized the decisive significance of commitment in the spiritual life, the paramount value of spiritual friendship and community, the link between religion and art, and the need for a ‘new society’ supportive of spiritual aspirations and ideas.
In recent years Sangharakshita has been handing on most of his responsibilities to his senior disciples in the Order. Based at the Adhisthana retreat centre in Herefordshire UK, he is now focusing on personal contact with people. For more, go to www.sangharakshita.org.
A collection of 27 volumes will represent the definitive edition of his life’s work as a Buddhist writer and teacher. Find out more about The Complete Works of Sangharakshita
A series of talks by Sangharakshita: ‘Launch of The Essential Sangharakshita and Living Ethically’.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
February 2, 2016
How some of those who devote themselves to the spiritual path think that there is a divorce between art and spirituality?
Well, it's sad to see that this occurs even among Buddhists, when Sangharakshita tells his story from the beginning of spiritual life, where he destroyed all his poetry and his artistic possessions.
However, he is much older and mature in the book "The religion of art" and totally gets rid of that idea and instead shows how art and the spiritual path have similarities, and how art can lead to the spiritual.
I loved the part of "Advice to a young poet" I liked the tips to appreciate art and make art:
Very interesting your description of the importance of these qualities: observation, sensitiveness, sympathy, solitude and reflection.
Well, it's sad to see that this occurs even among Buddhists, when Sangharakshita tells his story from the beginning of spiritual life, where he destroyed all his poetry and his artistic possessions.
However, he is much older and mature in the book "The religion of art" and totally gets rid of that idea and instead shows how art and the spiritual path have similarities, and how art can lead to the spiritual.
I loved the part of "Advice to a young poet" I liked the tips to appreciate art and make art:
Very interesting your description of the importance of these qualities: observation, sensitiveness, sympathy, solitude and reflection.
Displaying 1 of 1 review