Buddha

Buddha

ccchardo

A beautiful experience in the life of my master. If we all could treat one another just a fraction of how the buddhha lived we would surely make it in this world.

Very Accessible and Lovely, a Bit Academic in Parts

L. Erickson, Los Angeles, CA

I just rented this on Netflix, and found it very lovely, for both experienced Buddhists and those new to it. It revolves around the story of the Buddha's life, as told in the first sutras (Buddhist scripture) on the subject, which began appearing around 500 years after the Buddha's passing. Richard Gere narrates the sutra portion of the story, while beautiful Buddhist artwork from around the world is displayed, interspersed with shots of sacred Buddhist historical sites, and some original graphics. The artwork in particular is stunning, and of course Richard Gere's voice contributes a lovely and peaceful depth to the telling.

At each phase of the Buddha's life story, cutaways to well-known Buddhist academics, teachers and writers are incorporated, including the Dalai Lama, Robert Thurman (the first American ordained as a Buddhist monk, acclaimed Buddhist author and speaker, and professor of Buddhist studies at Columbia University), Mark Epstein (Buddhist psychotherapist and author, and frequent contributor to the Buddhist magazine Tricycle), W.S. Merwin (practicing Zen Buddhist and acclaimed poet), and Jane Hirshfield (also a practicing Zen Buddhist and acclaimed poet.) Many others are featured as well. My favorite quotes were from Ms. Hirshfield, including this one:

"It's alright to feel what human beings feel, and we are not supposed to turn into rocks or trees when we practice Buddhism. Buddhists laugh, cry, dance, feel ecstasy, probably even feel despair. It is how we know the world. It is how we live inside of our hearts, not disassociated from them."

I wish all of the commentators were so well-spoken. My only reservation about this film (and the reason I gave it 4 rather than 5 stars) is that I did feel it became bogged down by some of the academic commentators. They were (not to put too fine a point on it) rather dull at times, which made the story drag. But this was only occasionally - overall this documentary offers a beautiful version of the Buddha's story, and much insight into Buddhist practice and wisdom. I recommend it for anyone.

Save on electricity by getting your own enlightenment

bernie, Arlington, Texas

This is a well-designed and paced documentary on the life of the Buddha (I have read a few and this is a great synopsis.) It is presented through soundbites from artists, poets, monks and others. We also get the stories augmented with drawings or watercolors. The narration is by Richard Gere. This is a short review but it is not easy to include the details of the presentation without giving a presentation. Beside the different insights into Buddhism, the thing that I took away was the different locations where Buda was born, died, and received enlightenment.

I only saw the Blu-ray version so I cannot compare. However, there is a small documentary on the making of the documentary. You will need to re watch the presentation as it is packed with information and ideas that do not give you too much time to think in-between.

Little Buddha

Like a Budding Lotus...

rachel smith, Duluth, MN

I couldn't recommend this documentary more highly. There is a perfect balance of narrative, telling of miracles, and simple teaching in order to bring a calming sense of wonder to understanding the Buddha's life. The colorful animation brings the Buddha's long ago lived world to life with the amazement of a fairy tale. The colors shift from peaceful pastels in the joyous occasions and hardens into darker tones as Siddharta encounters the many facets of reality. The music selected lets the thoughts of the mind drift into the narrative and reflections of the Buddha's life and way of pursuing a middle way towards happiness. You can feel your soul rise with the Buddha as the notes climb towards the sky.

Various people (Jane Hershfield and His Holiness the Dali Lama being my favorites) give simple tenants of Buddhism where it is needed and compare and contrast with thoughts common to the west. The professors of Philosophy or Eastern Studies do not try to stuff too much dry lecture, yet keep the Buddha's reality in perspective when we flow along with the journey towards the Enlightened One's discovery and teaching.

The documentary above all stresses that the Buddha indeed carries his wisdom within us and that we can all follow in the middle way. There is a gentle handling of the Buddha's death, in which there is not despair, but joy in knowing that the way to enlightenment is carried on through every being. No need for salvation, no burdens of a punishing or rewarding afterlife, no shame in being human. For to start achieving enlightenment, one must first eat.