Pakhomov, S. (2025) Interpretations of the Idea of “Maya”, Buddhism and the “East-West” Dichotomy in the Works of Maximilian Voloshin – МЕЖДУНАРОДНЫЙ ЖУРНАЛ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЙ КУЛЬТУРЫ

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Sergey V. PAKHOMOV
Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia
48, Moika Emb., Saint Petersburg, Russian Federation, 191186
Associate Professor, Department of Philosophical Anthropology and History of Philosophy
PhD (in Philosophy)
e-mail: sarpa68@mail.ru
ORCID: 0000-0001-5263-2526

Pakhomov, S. (2025) Interpretations of the Idea of “Maya”, Buddhism and the “East-West” Dichotomy in the Works of Maximilian Voloshin

Abstract: This article is a continuation of the article published in the previous issue of the “International Journal of Cultural Studies”. It develops the theme of the poet Maximilian Voloshin’s reception of the idea of maya, Buddhism, nirvana, relations between East and West, as well as Russia’s place in these relations. In his idea of Maya, the poet weaves ideas from various cultural and religious traditions into a complex flow of associations. In the poem “Gnostic Hymn to the Virgin Mary” (1907), India becomes part of the mystical poetic space. Maya is understood by him as a “dream of the Divine”, as a dark world of matter, the overcoming of which is its enlightenment. The theme of maya also has a personal character for Voloshin: the poet plays with the idea of Maya in connection with the name of his girl-friend, Maya Cuvillier. The poet offers various ways to overcome maya or to humble oneself before its power. Another section of the article analyzes the poet’s attitude to Buddhism. Voloshin was acquainted with the Tibetan ambassador Agvan Dorzhiev and planned to go to Siberia to get acquainted with Buryat Buddhism. In Buddhism, the poet is impressed by the pathos of contemplation, non-violence, compassion, and the rejection of missionary work. Voloshin understands nirvana as paradise, “tension of will”, and also as “merging with the world”. The next section of the article considers the theme of the “East and West”. The poet’s interest in the East arose in childhood. Subsequently, several interconnected aspects of understanding the East developed in his work: 1) wisdom, knowledge, morality, compassion; 2) ancient and living culture; 3) homeland lost by the West, “paradise”; 4) dangerous and formidable judge; 5) sleep, dream, something contemplative. Russia occupies a middle, balancing position between the West and the East, a “guard” between them, as well as their “child”. The East can be dangerous for Russia (“Mongols”), but at the same time constructive for its future.

Key words: Voloshin, India, East, West, Russia, maya, matter, Buddhism, Buddha, nirvana.

References:

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For Citation:

Pakhomov, S. (2025) Interpretations of the Idea of “Maya”, Buddhism and the “East-West” Dichotomy in the Works of Maximilian Voloshin. International Journal of Cultural Research, 3 (60). 128–147. DOI: 10.52173/2079-1100_2025_3_128

DOI: 10.52173/2079-1100_2025_3_128