[.ca] Why Has Bodhi-Dharma Left for the East?

applaud the effort, but it left me wanting:
As a Buddhist from a devout Buddhist family, I was delighted to find a film about the Mahayana. I bought it and brought it to California with me on a recent trip when I visited my family, and even invited our teacher, a Vajrayana lama to watch with us. I going to try to word my words respectfully. Though I appreciate what the author has done and I fully applaud all efforts in Buddhist filmmaking, I was left disappointed with 'Why Has Bodhi-Dharma Left for the East.' The movie is indeed shot beautifully, with gorgeous images and very poetic scenes. However, imagery does not a movie make. I can see the director's intentions, but some parts terribly misrepresent the path of cultivation. For instance, the old monk's body is in its current damaged state because he meditated up against a block of ice in attempt to conquer sleep. Not only is this not advisable and detrimental to health, but misrepresentative of the practice. Buddha starved with the ascetics only to come to the conclusion that to put his body through so much suffering is extremist, and instead, we should opt for moderation and the middle way. And why should we want to conquer sleep, anyway? What's the point? When Buddha walked the earth with us, even he had to bow to the physical limits of his nirmanakaya form and ate, slept, and cared for his body. The Dharma should bring its followers peace of mind, fulfillment, contentment, and more and more happiness as we practice it more and more. However, this movie portrays monks undergoing mental torment and anguish throughout the movie. It seemed as if the movie piled more and more anguish on the monks as the movie progressed. The only scene I saw where they were at ease and happy was when the old monk pulled a tooth from the boy monk with the help of his other disciple. In my opinion, it should have been the other way around, with them growing freer and freer, happier and happier, more and more peaceful as the movie went on. Zen is not abstract, it is actually a very straightforward practice, but I fear non-Buddhists who watch this and base all their opinions off it will take away the wrong message of not only Zen, but Buddhism in general. The concept of Bodhicitta (vast, impartial love for all beings) that is the very heart of all Mahayana practice isn't even addressed (a slight reference is made to compassion). I would consider a successful Buddhist film to be one that inspires its viewers to arouse bodhicitta themselves and, like the Buddha, go forth into the world bravely to alleviate the suffering of the world. That was not the goal, however, with this film. It instead focuses on Zen, but without portraying and emphasizing the bodhicitta (or growing, budding bodhicitta) of the monks and how they progress towards that goal using Zen as a means of practice, the concept of "Zen" itself becomes pretentious, useless, and hollow. With this movie, it's as if the very heart of the practice- love, compassion, tolerance for all beings- was left out. Zen is just a way of practice. If Zen is the ship and wisdom the anchor, compassion is the wind that powers the sails. To make a movie just about "Zen" without giving equal (if not more) emphasis to the other two- wisdom and compassion- is to have a boat lost and just sitting out at sea. That's how I felt about the movie, that it had no sense of direction or point at the end. That's how I feel about the movie, that it lacks heart. If you're looking for a Buddhist movie with plenty of heart, I would suggest the movie "The Cup" over this one (it was nominated for 'Best Foreign Film' from Bhutan, but lost the Oscar to 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'). It's absolutely delightful and wonderfully represents active compassion in practice. I'm sorry if I offend anybody who enjoyed this film-- it's just one person's opinion =)

So sad for poor quality of DVD conversion of this great film:
Simply great film. But DVD conversion was so poor that I can never imagine people who watch this DVD could get an idea about what the real film was like. The film is not much a story telling but somewhat like a series of beautiful still photos. Anyone who loves films in a little bit serious manner not just for an ENTERTAINMENT must watch this film. Even if you don't have much interest in Eastern culture or Buddhism, you may be able to enjoy this film at least the fantastic visual images only if you have a little imagination on what the original colors were like. Hope you enjoy this great film.

Excellent Movie!:
You know I am disappointed the DVD reviews are being posted in the VHS section as well. Were they seperate, I think this movie would get just about 5 stars hands down, each time. Of course it is a movie for those interested in Zen Buddhism, that is somewhat a given. I am sorry to hear that the DVD conversion did not work out well, but I suppose I consider myself lucky enough to have purchased the VHS anyway. The imagery, for one, is so penetrating. I don't really know how to describe it. Impermamance is a recurring theme within this movie. The thing I appreciate about it, is it truly is like "viewing a meditation." The film is very relaxing, allowing the imagery to tell the story mostly. It is Korean subtitled, featuring a master, monk, and an orphaned boy. I wish I could tell you what this movie is about entirely, but I would not be able to do so in a completely accurate way. It's a movie that really does not collect dust on a shelf, because it is so provoking you will watch it over and over again. I know I do.

Beautiful:
My family and I love this movie, which we have watched 3 or 4 times. It is amazing just to watch how lovely each shot of film is. The relationships among the 3 monks is very touching, and the spiritual development of the middle monk (in age) is moving. If what you want is shoot-'em up action, or meaning laid out on a platter for you, this movie is not for you. But if you enjoy sitting back and letting the story flow over you (and the story is indeed a stretch for the western mind), then this is for you. I can easily see why it has been named one of the top 10 movies of all time.

50/50:
Watched this movie with my wife. She disliked it for its "stark realism" - I loved it for it's breathtaking imagery. True, it deals with life issues with a no nonsesnse stark reality way, and without the honeycoating of a hollywood movie - but for me the visual beauty of the film was wonderful. In addition, for those interested in things philosophical, the story line holds together well and the themes are explored with regard the title of the film (which is a zen ko-an). Don't really know of another film like it - we bought it because we were looking for a 'slow' film like 'Scent of Green Papaya" which we love. This is nothing like 'scent' but it creates a 'spaciousness' which we both loved. If you want car chases, explosions, girls in bikinis, and sword fights, leave this one alone!