DOI: 10.46726/H.2026.1.3
In the presented article, within the framework of a large study devoted to the «Buddhist text» of Russian literature, the reception of Buddhism by the scientist, publicist, traveler and poet Prince E.E. Ukhtomsky (1861—1921) in his collection of poems «From the Past» is analyzed. The novelty of the article is determined by the absence of literary studies touching upon this collection of poems. Prince Ukhtomsky in his journalism and in his poems reflected on the East, Asia and Buddhism, proceeding from cultural sympathies, metaphysically motivated intuition and state interests. Buddhism for him is a religion, when turning to (with) which genuine knowledge and broad religious tolerance are required. In his opinion, this religion has a positive effect on the cultural and moral level of those peoples to whom it comes. Moreover, it is capable of having a positive impact on Russian culture, causing a renewal of the attitude of Russian people to their native Orthodoxy. In the collection “From the Past” Buddhism appears as a religion that has its own mystical depth and its own passionarity, which is capable of revealing and simultaneously removing complex contradictions in the consciousness of a believer, designating a high absolute goal for him. Buddhism is also what motivates a person to spiritual perfection and spiritual feats. In general, reading the corpus of journalistic works and the collection of poems by Prince Ukhtomsky “From the Past”, one can actually speak about his subtle apologization of the East, Asia and the Buddhist religion.
For citation: Dubakov L.V. Apologization of Buddhism in the collection of poems by Prince E.E. Ukhtomsky “From the Past”, Ivanovo State University Bulletin, Series: Humanities, 2026, iss. 1, pp. 25—31.