The Buddha PBS documentary review

*image source: https://www.pbs.org/thebuddha/birth-and-youth-part-2/

This is a film by David Grubin and narrated by the lovely voice of practicing buddhist Richard Gere. The Buddha takes us on a journey through time following the life and teachings of Siddhartha. The film also examines the basic tenants of buddhism and gives some insight into the basic teachings.

Nearly two hours in length you will be entertained the whole time. There are interview excerpts from quite a few notable people including, physicists, poets, the Dali Lama, monks, authors, and nuns. Through out the film there are gorgeous animations flowing with beautiful, symbolic imagery. The viewer is left both informed and inspired.

"What he actually said was that life is blissful. There’s joy everywhere only we’re closed off to it. His teachings were actually about opening up the joyful or blissful nature of reality, but the bliss and the joy is in the transitoriness.” Mark Epstein.

Some people critisize and misunderstand Buddhism to indicate that pleasurable things should be avoided. This is not true at all. It is important to understand our attachment to pleasurable experiences in order to avoid suffering.

*image source: https://www.pbs.org/thebuddha/compassion/

Buddahs words
“"He who sees me sees the teaching and he who sees the teaching sees me.”

This is to say, I think, that the Buddha is a state of being, a knowing. The Buddha is not a person. The Buddha is with in you, the teachings of the Buddha are with in you.

One thing I didn’t realize is the Buddha allowed women to become nuns during a time when it was very radical to give women freedom. Many of the women that joined the path with the Buddha’s teaching were escaping frightening conditions in their home lives and the Buddha gave them a refuge. This is still true today. Many nuns enter the monastery for safety and security.

The film concludes with the Buddhas death. I did not realize that the way the Buddha died around age 80 (which is very old age since we are talking 500 years before Christ) that he was offered spoiled food which he then ate. It was said that he knew the food had gone bad, but accepted the offering. Some time later he died with his disciples around him.

*image source : https://www.pbs.org/thebuddha/death-and-legacy-part-2/

"It may be that after I am gone that some of you will think, ‘now we have no teacher.’ But that is not how you should see it. Let the Dharma and the discipline that I have taught you be your teacher. All individual things pass away. Strive on, untiringly."

These were the Buddhas last words.

I hope you enjoy this film as much as I did.

Namaste