Good Movies/Documentaries?

[Fugu]

I am presently stuck in bed after a hospital trip (hate those things!) and was wondering if anybody could recommend some good Zen/Buddhist movies or documentaries? I could get Netflix easily, but I'm not sure if it would have the kind of stuff I like. (Not a mainstream tv watcher, here.)

Any ideas?

Gassho,
Lee

[Kyotai]

Hope you recover very soon.

Gassho

Shawn

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk

[Sydney]

Netflix is, unfortunately, a little lean on these titles. Even Audible doesn't have a lot on the audiobook front.

[Sekishi]

Hi Fugu,

I hope your recovery is swift (and you are at ease in your ills in the meantime)!

Here are a few notes to maybe start off a list.

Gassho,
Sekishi / Eric

---

Zen: An enjoyable (although somewhat fanciful) film about our very own Dogen. It is quite beautiful, but takes some liberties with the historical Dogen (at least compared with what I've read elsewhere). There is a Kensho scene which may induce giggles. I do not believe it is available on Netflix, but is on Amazon streaming. Someone posted on the forum a while back that it was on Youtube. I don't know if that is still the case.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1156470

Why Has Bodhi-Dharma Left for the East?: A beautiful Korean film about three people living in a mountain hermitage: the old Zen master, his sometimes disciple, and an orphan boy. I've not seen it in years, but I think it is a beautiful and difficult film that hit me pretty hard when I watched it on DVD. I do not know of anyplace it can be watched via streaming.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097195/

Souls of Zen: A recently released documentary about responses to the 03/11 tsunami. It is not on Netflix, but is on Amazon streaming. I've not watched it yet, but will in the next day or two as it is also currently the "Film Club" selection on Tricycle.org (if you are a member or get the magazine).

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2294819

http://www.tricycle.com/filmclub

Amongst White Clouds: Part travelogue, part documentary about hermit monks and nuns living in the mountains in China. I assume it was inspired at some level by Red Pine's book "Road to Heaven".

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1270080

The Buddha: An introductory "life of the Buddha" film with some nice animation, but not a lot of depth (as I recall anyway). Used to be on Netflix, but I don't think it is anymore. It is on Amazon (free with Prime I think).

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1478841

Zen Mind: No idea, I've not watched it, but pops up in my recommended list on Amazon periodically (they have my number I guess). ^_^

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005IXCVRO

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In the realm of "films with Buddhist themes", but are not overly Buddhist, here are a few recommendations.

Groundhog Day: The deepest "romantic comedy" EVAR. What happens if you relive the same day for 10,000 years, and nothing you do has any consequence?

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107048

The Fountain: An odd, sometimes dark Darren Aronofsky film the explores the nature of letting go (taking one character across multiple lifetimes), rebirth, and (possibly) cyclical time. Epic in scope (hundreds of years pass during the film), but very focused on a few characters.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0414993

Cloud Atlas: I've not seen the film, but the book definitely covered some Buddhist themes, and was a delightful read (also spanning hundreds of years).

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1371111

Samsara: A visual journey / punch to the eyeballs by "Godfrey Reggio" (who created Koyaanisqatsi long ago). It is a similar film to Koyaanisqatsi in many ways (a musical and visual journey without narrative). Mostly an exploration of this realm of Samsara as an unfixable realm of birth and death. NOT a happy or "feel good" film.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0770802/

---

I know you asked about films, but if you are stuck at home, there are some amazing podcasts out there that you might enjoy listening to. Podcasts can be subscribed to (for free) in itunes or other "podcatcher" software and you will get new episodes automagically when they are released. However, most also provide some kind of web interface for just streaming from a laptop, tablet, or phone.

Upaya Zen Center Podcasts and Dharma Talks: Dharma talks by various folks at the Upaya Zen center - Roshi Joan Halifax, as well as guest teachers, and talks by folks both within Buddhism and outside of it (they recently did a 10 part series of interdisciplinary presentations about complex systems, philosophy of mind, and emergence for example). A great podcast.

http://www.upaya.org/dharmatalks/

Hardcore Zen: Talks by Brad Warner (Jundo's Dharma brother). Not at lot of episodes, but at least a few hours worth.

http://hardcorezen.libsyn.com/

San Francisco Zen Center Dharma Talks: I've not listened in a while, but they used to have more Dharma talks than I could keep up with (seriously, they posted new ones every day or two).

http://www.sfzc.org/zc/display.asp?catid=1,10&pageid=440

Zencast: Talks mostly by folks associated with the Insight Meditation Center / IMC. Fairly far afield from our practice at times, but Gil Fronsdal was one of my first introductions to the Dharma, so I still listen from time to time.

http://www.zencast.org/

Rochester Zen Center Dharma Talks: Dharma talks by Roshi Bodhin Kjolhede and others. RZC is a different lineage than ours here at Treeleaf (there is definitely more talk of Kensho, sitting with Koans, etc.), so keep that in mind I guess. I still enjoy listening from time to time.

http://rzcpodcasts.blogspot.com/

[Yugen]

Red Beard by Akira Kurosawa. Not available in streaming / Netflix but get the disc. Not a samurai movie, maybe Kurosawa's best.

Please get well soon.

Gassho
Yugen

[Tb]

Hi.

Don't forget The matrix trilogy or star wars, especially "the empire strikes back".

Mtfbwy
Fugen

[Kokuu]

Hi Lee

Sorry you have been in hospital again. As well as watching Buddhist related material (and I thorougly second all the great podcasts from Sekishi), I would recommend anything that keeps your spirits up and body relaxed and happy. I am with you on the majority of mainstream viewing though.

Sending good thoughts for rapid healing. Take it easy.

Gassho
Andy

[Jundo]

One of my favorite life affirming Zen movies seems available on this list: Enlightenment Guaranteed. Recommended for everyone!

http://dvd.netflix.com/SubGenreList/German_Language/2555

Gassho, J

[Shokai]

Love that movie

gassho, Jindo Shokai, an itinerant monk emeritus still learning the way and knowing nothing.

[Nengyo]

I will second zen, groundhog day, and red beard. All good movies with neat themes. For netflix streaming I would also recommend the movie Ip Man (2008) It has nothing to do with zen (it isn't not zen either), but it is one of the best kung fu movies I've seen in a while.

One of my favorite life affirming Zen movies seems available on this list: Enlightenment Guaranteed. Recommended for everyone!

http://dvd.netflix.com/SubGenreList/German_Language/2555

Gassho, J

This movie is impossible to find on dvd for purchase in the US. They must have produced only ten copies and sent eight to netflix. One is selling for $200 on amazon! I guess I'll have to do a trial of netflix dvd to see it.


Get well soon Fugu!

[Entai]

Fugu,
I recently watched "Zen", a portrayal of Dogen's life. A couple cheesy scenes (you'll have no doubt which ones I mean when you see them). Otherwise, I enjoyed it.

Gassho, Entai

[Mp]

One of my favorite life affirming Zen movies seems available on this list: Enlightenment Guaranteed. Recommended for everyone!

http://dvd.netflix.com/SubGenreList/German_Language/2555

Gassho, J

Yes, this is a fantastic movie. I also like the old Kung fu movies with David Carradine. =)

Be well and speedy recovery Fugu!

Gassho
Shingen

[Sekishi]

For the films mentioned so far, it looks like a pretty mixed bag as far as streaming goes.

Zen: DVD, Youtube (link at bottom of message).

Why Has Bodhi-Dharma Left for the East?: DVD purchase only

Souls of Zen: Tricycle Film Club, $2.99 Amazon Rental

Amongst White Clouds: Netflix DVD

The Buddha: Amazon Prime, $2.99 Amazon Rental, Netflix DVD

Zen Mind: $1.99 Amazon Rental

Groundhog Day: $2.99 Amazon Rental, Netflix, Netflix DVD

The Fountain: $2.99 Amazon Rental, Netflix, Netflix DVD

Cloud Atlas: $6.99 Amazon Streaming (Purchase), Netflix DVD

Samsara: $2.99 Amazon Rental, Netflix, Netflix DVD

Red Beard: DVD Only

Enlightenment Guaranteed: DVD Only (crazy expensive as Nengyo pointed out)

Gassho,
Sekishi

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TinmRC2BS00

[Neo]

I've made a list on imdb of titles that has to do with awakening and spirituality.

here it is :

http://www.imdb.com/list/ls050814957/

I would recommend peaceful warrior, film based on a book by Dan Millman.

Anyone feel free to suggest titles :-)

[Amelia]

I have a copy of "Enlightenment Guaranteed" that belongs to Treeleaf. I will pass it along when I find it. My fiance put it in storage without my knowledge and I must get it out soon!