Religieuse konsepte in die poësie van Sheila Cussons, P.W. Buys en Breyten Breytenbach : 'n vergelykende studie

Abstract

Religion is the most basic perception and need of the human being. According to Jung's depth psychology it is the most fundamental of all human needs. Religion is also a collective inheritance and thus inborn. Therefore it is quite logical that the religious inclinations of people would be reflected in their art and specifically in their poetry. A clear distinction should be drawn between religion and faith. Tennyson (1975:10) believes that religion is a much wider concept than faith. It is the reference to any relation with the supernatural, but faith is distinguished as a specific disciplined practice of a faith. Religion is universal, eternal, and inherently present in all people. It is the instinctive acknowledgment of a higher force, ruling man's destiny. Therefore man looks to this force for salvation, the answer to all the problems of life and a search for eternity: thus it is a way to escape the finality of death. The yearning to unite with eternity or the Deity leads to a religious experience which could be described as faith. This mission leads to a purposeful practical faith with its own characteristic rites, doctrines, prayers and sacrifices. Faith is the name given to a certain way to practise religion. The recognition of a specific religion affective as well as cognitive, would motivate and influence the behaviour of the individual. To illustrate these facts, the poets were chosen because of the difference of the religious concepts in their poetry. Sheila Cussons's poetry reflects her Roman Catholic faith, Buys writes in the Calvinistic idiom and Breytenbach reflects in his poetry the practice of Buddhism. Although differences occur as far as the specific faiths are concerned, there is an amazing similarity in the religious perceptions of these poets. To name a few: There is a constant yearning to find and be united with or become part of supernatural power , or enlightenment. It leads to a mystical experience in which the seeker is united with the deity. To achieve this state of unity, it is necessary to get rid of the "self" (to lose yourself). A religion (faith) is practised according to specific rules (doctrine). Prayer is to the Christian what Za-zen means to the Buddhist. Religion causes a complete metamorphosis or transfiguration in the life of the believer.