DVD

Average customer rating:

Not My Cup of Green Tea...
Haunting film, stays with you long
It approaches the quality of a sutra
Top One
Gives the Experience of Buddhism

Why Has Bodhi-Dharma Left for the East
Starring: Yi Pan-Yong , Hae-Jin Huang , Su-Myong Ko , and Sin Won-Sop
Director: Yong-Kyun Bae
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring
Enlightenment Guaranteed
Siddhartha (Ws)
Life of Buddha
Travellers & Magicians

ASIN: B0000203Z5
Release Date: 2002-02-26

Description

Bae Yong-kyun's Zen masterpiece. Acclaimed by critics and audiences throughout the world, "Why Has Bodhi-Dharma Left for the East?" is simply one of the most ravishing films ever made. In a remote monastery high up in the mountains, an old master, a young monk and an orphaned boy devote themselves to their Buddhist teachings. As the master faces death, he becomes more desperate to lead his disciples away from the outside world and point them toward their quest for enlightenment. This magnificent film, astonishingly rich in its formal beauty and affirmation of life, is not only a cinematic gem but a transcendent evocation of the mystery and humanity of Zen Buddhism. Selected by three international film critics as "One of the Ten Best Films of All Time" in the 1993 Sight & Sound Critics Poll.

Customer Reviews:

Not My Cup of Green Tea..........2007-05-24

I am not a novice to zen, buddhism, enlightenment, in both life experiences, books and films. I find it fascinating as well comforting. I respect it and in many ways I try to practice it. I watched this film twice giving it my full attention. I truly enjoyed the scenery and the overall artistic style was very nice. I did watch it on a VHS tape so it was a bit grainy but that may have added to the charm. The problem I have with this film is that it goes against my understanding/concept of Buddhism and Zen teachings. The entire film was a depressing ordeal from beginning to end. I understand the intent and lessons of the film but I would rather see a Zen Master who treated his family with kindness and affection. A boy lost in the woods and no one cares. A group of people sitting around the fire in silence who do not recognize the existance of another human being. This is not a Master who I would respect or even enjoy being in his company. A dying Master who smiled on his death bed and showed compassion is what I want to see. Life and Death is a combination of emotions. There should be SOME joy in both Living and Dying. Perhaps this Master needed more training... Then again maybe it will be better for him the next time around. If the intent of this movie is to show how unhappy people can be then it is a Winner. Looking at the other reviews for this film shows that I am in the minority... Guess I can live with that (LOL).
-JMHO

Haunting film, stays with you long .......2007-04-12

I stumbled upon this movie at a movie store in Seoul. My interest in Buddhism was growing at the time, so I watched the film at home after borrowing the video. Of course, being a beginner in Buddhism, I was lost on many of the movie's meanings and messages, but after a few more viewings after I bought the DVD and reading other critiques of the film, I got a better understanding.

To those who disliked or didn't care for this movie, I'd like to quote film critic Roger Ebert, in that you should rate a movie for what it DID rather than what YOU thought it should've done. Korean Buddhism has helped Koreans weather their turbulent and sad history, and well, I'm sorry if you were disappointed that it wasn't a "yipee, I'm so happy" type of feel-good film.

At any rate, this film should be required viewing for anyone into Buddhism (and for some who are not). I wish the director, a professor at the Buddhist university Dongguk in Seoul, made more movies.

It approaches the quality of a sutra.......2007-01-01

The disaffected viewer in Canada, I wish him a greater awareness of what's in front of his face.

This film approaches the level of a sutra. Be not distracted.

Top One.......2006-09-10

I was thinking (first mistake!) of saying, "Top Five." Then I realized that this is more than even "Top Three (or Two)" of all the movies I have in my collection, or have ever viewed, for that matter. The real perplexity is that I don't know why, exactly, except for the fact that it is the only movie that I think about and view more than any other DVD that I have. And so that is why it stands foremost (Doctor Zhivago has now been relegated to the silver podium, at least for these reasons) above of all the other DVD's in my assorted collection. True, as some have commented here, it is not astutely a portrayal of Zen Buddhism as it might be explicated in the truest sense of its dogmas. How would you depict and encapsulate the essence of Zen through the modality of a visual, i.e., movie experience anyway? Pretty tall order, even for The Buddha, I would imagine. This movie for me, however, is a catalyst for SOME things that are related to Zen Buddhism. But overall it leaves that stage and affords me with a visual, meditative experience, be it akin to Zen Buddhism or something other (even Christianity -- for me). Needless to say, this is not a film for everyone; it is not of the "Saturday Night at the Movies" genre; it just touches me in a deep, esoteric psychological and spiritual way. Perhaps this movie is something as to what Paul Valery stated: "To see is to forget the name of the thing one sees."

Gives the Experience of Buddhism.......2006-02-26

This is one of my favorite spiritual movies. Although it preaches a bit here and there, it mainly works by giving you the experience of being a Buddhist monk in a more powerful and authentic way than any other piece of cinema I've seen. The spectacular cinematography is somewhat lost on this DVD (by all means see this on film in a theater if you can) but the meditative, transformational quality remains. That is, if you can really shut out all the distractions of your home and sit and watch this as if you were in a theater. If you do that, you will be rewarded with a spiritual experience unlike any other film has to offer. On the other hand, if you stop for interruptions every 20 minutes, this movie may seem like the most boring thing you've ever tried to sit through. So you have to ask yourself, what kind of viewer are you? Because this is not a film that hooks you, it is a film you have to commit yourself to. Some will see that as a failing; it all depends on what you want and expect from a movie.

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