Difference between revisions of "Poetry"
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− | + | A [[poem]] ([[kāveyya]]) is a composition characterized by verse ([[gāthā]]), meter ([[chando]]) and decoration ([[alaṅkāra]]) and which is meant to evoke an [[emotional]] response. | |
− | A Literary Appraisal of Pali Poetical Works, Asha Das, 1994. | + | It is usually associated with artificial and refined [[language]], and can be contrasted with prose, which is more natural. Of all the [[arts]], the [[Buddha]] was most conversant with [[poetry]], probably as a result of the [[education]] he received when young. |
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+ | Concerning the {{Wiki|structure}} of the poem, the he said: ‘The metre is the scaffolding of the verses, the {{Wiki|syllables}} constitute their phrasing, the verses depend on words and the poet is the abode of the verses.’ (S.I,38). | ||
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+ | He spoke of several different types of poets; the thoughtful, the [[traditional]], the {{Wiki|realistic}} and the spontaneous (A.II,230). | ||
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+ | He considered the Sāvittī to be the most refined metre, and knew it to consist of three lines and 24 {{Wiki|syllables}} (Sn.568;457). | ||
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+ | When [[Pañcasikha]] [[sang]] his beautiful verses combining [[elements]] of the [[spiritual]] and the {{Wiki|erotic}}, the [[Buddha]] expressed his [[appreciation]] (D.II,265-7). | ||
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+ | When Va ṅgīsa recited the verses he had just composed, the [[Buddha]] asked him to compose and recite some more (S.I,193). | ||
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+ | Because [[writing]] was only just coming into use during the [[Buddha’s]] time, the most common way to record [[information]] was to commit it to [[memory]]. | ||
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+ | At certain points during a talk or at the end of it, a [[teacher]] would recite a verse, or series of verses, in which the main points he had made were summed up or encapsulated. | ||
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+ | Because these verses were catchy or contained striking [[language]] or [[imagery]], they were used as {{Wiki|mnemonic}} devices to later help recall everything the [[teacher]] had said. | ||
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+ | The [[Buddha]] followed this practice and the several thousand verses he composed were remembered by his [[disciples]] and later came to [[form]] the basis of [[Buddhist]] [[sacred]] {{Wiki|literature}}. | ||
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+ | Despite the [[Buddha’s]] [[knowledge]] of and skill in [[poetry]], there are several places in the [[scriptures]] where he was disparaging towards it. He even said that [[monks and nuns]] should not compose or listen to [[poetry]] (D.I,11). | ||
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+ | Given what has been said above, this cannot be because he disapproved of the {{Wiki|poetic}} [[art]] as such. Whether or not the [[Buddha]] approved of a poem depended on its style, content and genre. | ||
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+ | Most {{Wiki|ancient Indian}} [[poetry]] was about [[kings]], {{Wiki|military}} victories, the [[gods]], courtly [[love]] or ribaldry; [[subjects]] which the [[Buddha]] would have considered harmless but hardly edifying. | ||
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+ | Another problem the [[Buddha]] may have had with certain types of [[poetry]] is that they can evoke very strong [[emotions]]. | ||
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+ | He was not against [[emotions]] as such, indeed his [[own]] words, we are continually told, ‘inspired, uplifted and [[delighted]]’ [[people]] (D.II,98; M.II,140). | ||
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+ | But some [[poetry]] evokes less [[noble]] [[emotions]] like [[indignation]], unthinking patriotism, [[pride]] or [[sensual desire]]. | ||
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+ | The [[Buddha]] said: ‘Better than a thousand verses of meaningless words is a single [[word]] from a verse, hearing which one becomes [[calm]].’ (Dhp.101). | ||
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+ | It is also true that while some [[poetry]] can convey [[truth]] even more effectively than prose, other styles [[Wikipedia:sacrifice|sacrifice]] [[truth]] for effect. | ||
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+ | Beautiful [[words and phrases]] can almost mesmerize us (kāveyyamatta) into [[thinking]] we have understood something when in fact all they have done is give us a [[pleasant]] [[feeling]]. | ||
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+ | Likewise, they can convince us that what they say is true simply because it has been said so lyrically. | ||
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+ | It was probably this that the [[Buddha]] was referring to when he warned against listening to ‘teachings composed by poets, tricked out with fancy words and rhymes’ (A.I,72), rather than to his [[own]] [[discourses]], in which the meaning is always clear even when beautiful [[language]] or [[imagery]] is used to say it. | ||
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+ | The {{Wiki|poetic}} [[art]] has a long and glorious history in [[Buddhism]] and has had an important role in the spread of the [[Dhamma]]. | ||
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+ | Some of [[India’s]] greatest poets were [[Buddhists]], in particular [[Aśvaghoṣa]], [[Mātṛceṭa]], [[Bhartṛari]] and [[Kṣemendra]]. [[Tibet’s]] most enduringly popular poet is [[Milarepa]] who was a [[Buddhist]] [[ascetic]]. | ||
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+ | [[Sri Lanka’s]] greatest poet, Sri [[Rāhula]], and {{Wiki|Japan’s}} most beloved poet, Basho, were both [[monks]]. | ||
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+ | See [[Doṇa]] and [[Oral Transmission]]. | ||
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+ | A {{Wiki|Literary}} Appraisal of [[Pali]] Poetical Works, [[Asha]] Das, 1994. | ||
{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
[http://www.buddhisma2z.com/content.php?id=314 www.buddhisma2z.com] | [http://www.buddhisma2z.com/content.php?id=314 www.buddhisma2z.com] | ||
[[Category:Buddhist Terms]] | [[Category:Buddhist Terms]] |
Latest revision as of 04:26, 8 January 2016
A poem (kāveyya) is a composition characterized by verse (gāthā), meter (chando) and decoration (alaṅkāra) and which is meant to evoke an emotional response.
It is usually associated with artificial and refined language, and can be contrasted with prose, which is more natural. Of all the arts, the Buddha was most conversant with poetry, probably as a result of the education he received when young.
Concerning the structure of the poem, the he said: ‘The metre is the scaffolding of the verses, the syllables constitute their phrasing, the verses depend on words and the poet is the abode of the verses.’ (S.I,38).
He spoke of several different types of poets; the thoughtful, the traditional, the realistic and the spontaneous (A.II,230).
He considered the Sāvittī to be the most refined metre, and knew it to consist of three lines and 24 syllables (Sn.568;457).
When Pañcasikha sang his beautiful verses combining elements of the spiritual and the erotic, the Buddha expressed his appreciation (D.II,265-7).
When Va ṅgīsa recited the verses he had just composed, the Buddha asked him to compose and recite some more (S.I,193).
Because writing was only just coming into use during the Buddha’s time, the most common way to record information was to commit it to memory.
At certain points during a talk or at the end of it, a teacher would recite a verse, or series of verses, in which the main points he had made were summed up or encapsulated.
Because these verses were catchy or contained striking language or imagery, they were used as mnemonic devices to later help recall everything the teacher had said.
The Buddha followed this practice and the several thousand verses he composed were remembered by his disciples and later came to form the basis of Buddhist sacred literature.
Despite the Buddha’s knowledge of and skill in poetry, there are several places in the scriptures where he was disparaging towards it. He even said that monks and nuns should not compose or listen to poetry (D.I,11).
Given what has been said above, this cannot be because he disapproved of the poetic art as such. Whether or not the Buddha approved of a poem depended on its style, content and genre.
Most ancient Indian poetry was about kings, military victories, the gods, courtly love or ribaldry; subjects which the Buddha would have considered harmless but hardly edifying.
Another problem the Buddha may have had with certain types of poetry is that they can evoke very strong emotions.
He was not against emotions as such, indeed his own words, we are continually told, ‘inspired, uplifted and delighted’ people (D.II,98; M.II,140).
But some poetry evokes less noble emotions like indignation, unthinking patriotism, pride or sensual desire.
The Buddha said: ‘Better than a thousand verses of meaningless words is a single word from a verse, hearing which one becomes calm.’ (Dhp.101).
It is also true that while some poetry can convey truth even more effectively than prose, other styles sacrifice truth for effect.
Beautiful words and phrases can almost mesmerize us (kāveyyamatta) into thinking we have understood something when in fact all they have done is give us a pleasant feeling.
Likewise, they can convince us that what they say is true simply because it has been said so lyrically.
It was probably this that the Buddha was referring to when he warned against listening to ‘teachings composed by poets, tricked out with fancy words and rhymes’ (A.I,72), rather than to his own discourses, in which the meaning is always clear even when beautiful language or imagery is used to say it.
The poetic art has a long and glorious history in Buddhism and has had an important role in the spread of the Dhamma.
Some of India’s greatest poets were Buddhists, in particular Aśvaghoṣa, Mātṛceṭa, Bhartṛari and Kṣemendra. Tibet’s most enduringly popular poet is Milarepa who was a Buddhist ascetic.
Sri Lanka’s greatest poet, Sri Rāhula, and Japan’s most beloved poet, Basho, were both monks.
See Doṇa and Oral Transmission.
A Literary Appraisal of Pali Poetical Works, Asha Das, 1994.