Melbourne seminar to look at the ‘Mystique of Buddhism in the Oeuvre of Nikos Kazantzakis’

·

Religion is one of the most prominent elements in the works of Nikos Kazantzakis, not only Western religion but also Eastern, especially Buddhism. It is worth keeping in mind that Kazantzakis produced his oeuvre during a time when the West was encountering the East intellectually and was looking for means to reshape its cultural capital. This is the general socio-historical backdrop against which one should place the personal spiritual fascination of Kazantzakis with Buddhist tradition, ideas and practices.

In his presentation Dr Vassilis Adrahtas will explore this fascination or mystique from The Saviors of God: Spiritual Exercises to Zorba the Greek and Kazantzakis’ Odyssey to a palimpsest-kind of work of his under the title Buddha.

The most interesting conclusion of this exploration is not so much the plethora of Kazantzakis’ references to Buddhism, but the subtle, creative and ingenious ways in which he managed to interweave Buddhist with non-Buddhist hierophanic forms.             

BIO

Dr Vassilis Adrahtas is the Convenor of Greek Studies, UNSW and a Subject Coordinator, Islamic Studies, WSU. He holds a PhD in the Sociology of Religion (Panteion University) and a PhD in Studies in Religion (University of Sydney). His specialisation is in Early Christianity, Patristics, Byzantine Philosophy, the History of Religions and Indigenous Australian Studies. He has authored and co/edited more than ten books.

He has served as President of the International Society of Nikos Kazantzakis, Sydney Branch (2015-2025) and is the co-founder of Unity in Philia, a not-for-profit promoting intercultural relations between Greece and Australia and cultural diplomacy in the Asia-Pasific region.

His most recent publications are Islam, Civility and Political Culture (Palgrave Macmillan 2021, co-edited with M. Milani); 20 Years with Nikos (International Society of Nikos Kazantzakis, Sydney Branch, 2021); Kazantzakis in Australia! (International Society of Nikos Kazantzakis, Sydney Branch, 2024); Consciousness’ Journey to the Transcendent: Tuning the Finite to Infinity. (Unity in Philia, 2025).

Event Details:

  • When: Thursday 8 May 2025, 7pm
  • Speaker: Dr Vassilis Adrahtas
  • Seminar: The Mystique of Buddhism in the Oeuvre of Nikos Kazantzakis
  • Where: TheGreek Centre (Mezzanine, 168 Lonsdale St, Melbourne)
  • Language: English

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Radioactive Pictures brings ‘The Aegean’ to cinemas nationwide from May 16

Radioactive Pictures is pleased to announce The Aegean is coming to cinemas around the country from 16 May 2025.

Fronditha Care residents find comfort and connection through pet program

Greek seniors in Melbourne’s Fronditha Care homes have experienced a powerful lift in wellbeing thanks to a unique pet therapy program.

Greece and Australia shine in list of world’s best beaches

Greece and Australia have made a splash in the World’s 50 Best Beaches list, with several entries showcasing their coastal beauty.

Greece faces sharp population decline and ageing crisis by 2050

The 20–64 group will shrink by about 1.7 million, mainly due to falling fertility rates across generations and a steady decline in births.

Mass grave discovery in Thessaloniki unearths painful memories of Greece’s civil war

While installing benches near the Yedi Kule fortress, workers unearthed a mass grave—33 skeletons, some with bullets in their skulls.

You May Also Like

SYRIZA leader Alexis Tsipras calls for dissolution of Parliament, immediate elections

Greece’s main opposition party demanded on Tuesday the dissolution of Parliament and immediate elections in three weeks' time.

Boxer George Kambosos Jr. secures legal claim to IBF over music video app Triller

George Kambosos Jr. has convinced the IBF to declare that Triller defaulted the terms of its bid to host his clash with Teófimó López.

How to make your own Holy Cross for Palm Sunday

As Orthodox Easter quickly approaches, the Greek community prepares to carry out its annual spiritual and cultural traditions.