Rabindranath Tagore의 詩와 宗敎 = The Poetry and Religion of Tagore

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Rabindranath Tagore referred to his religion as a "poet's religion." In his philosophy the roots of religion and poetry are essentially identical. In his inner word creative impulse and religious feeling blend into each other, making them hard to separate. The root of his religion may be traced back to Brahma as described in the Upanishads, a classic of the ancient Indian religion. This passage from the canon, describing Brahma, would best summarize Tagore's position: "…the being who is in his essence the light and life of all, who is world conscious, is Brahma. To feel all, to be conscious of everything in his spirit."
One reaches into the domain of poetry through one's "vision," not through one's senses or knowledge; so does one enter the realm of religion. It is also through one's vision that one is allowed to enjoy poetic ecstasy. Only by virtue of vision can one be blessed with an understanding of the mysteries of the world, with immortality of the soul, both leading to a consciousness of the harmony of the universe.
The spirit of Brahma, according to Tagore, is not only a being but also a "becoming" : a perfect state of being. One may enter into the "kingdom" of Brahma through joy and love, which, one would do well to remember, are the very motive powers for the creation of the universe and life in it.
According to Tagore, poetry and religion are the two aspects of the spirit of Brahma, corresponding to joy and love, respectively. Every creature is born into the universe from joy and love, lives out its span in joy and love and returns to the original love and joy. Both God and man obtain the highest measure of joy from songs and poetry which by nature reflect the harmony of the universe. In love there are no contradictions between any parts of the universe, for love turns the universe into a place of perfect unity. The domain of love is where this commandment is obeyed: "Thou shalt gain by giving away. Thou shalt not covet...."
As love and joy are one, so are art and religion. In the oneness of the world, conceived as a religious faith by Tagore, a man ahead of his time, the East and the West come together. Thus in his view in his view of the world, his philosophy based on Brahma: Tagore sings of the universal love and joy, which permeate his life.