VDO Happy

An interview with Gudo Nishijima, a zen buddhist, on the practice of zazen, or zen meditation. Took place at a zen center on the outskirts of Tokyo.

Please excuse the title in the video, it should be "Shingon". Buddhist Chants: Harmony of the Soul http://www.amazon.com/Buddhist-Chants-Harmony-Various-Artists/dp/B000001KL7 Track 10. Shomyo (Samporai, Jusan)

www.yusuf-yusuf85.blogspot.com ALBUM Relax - Buddhist Meditation Music - Zen Garden - Kokin Gumi - Da New AGe - Chill Out - Lounge Music http://www.yusuf-yusuf85.blogspot.com Zen Garden [SINGLE] [IMPORT] Kokin Gumi (Artist) $15.99 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004Y2DV/104-2769283-8920729?ie=UTF8&tag=birgarnsa-20&linkCode=xm2&camp=1789&creativeASIN=B00004Y2DV

Prajna-paramita Hrdaya Sutram by Imee Ooi http://www.alyta.com/HeartSutraSanskrit.html Imee Ooi's website http://www.immmusic.com/ Heart Sutra - Sanskrit-English Translated by Zuio H. Inagaki http://www12.canvas.ne.jp/horai/heart-sk.htm (If you find a better site/translation, please post it. Thanks) Namah sarvajnaaya -Adoration to the Omniscient! Aaryaavalokiteshvara-bodhisattvo gambhiiraayaam prajnaapaaramitaayaam caryaam caramaano vyavalokayati sma: panca skandhaah; taamshca svabhaava-shuunyaan pashyati sma. -When Holy Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva performed the deep practice in the Perfection of Transcendent Wisdom, he contemplated that there were five aggregates but observed that they were devoid of essential nature. Iha Shaariputra ruupam shuunyataa shuunyataiva ruupam, ruupaan na prithak shuunyataa, shuunyataayaa na prithag ruupam, yad ruupam saa shuunyataa, yaa shuunyataa tad ruupam. -In this case, Shaariputra, form is voidness and voidness is itself form; voidness is not different from form, and form is not different from voidness; that which is form is voidness, and that which is voidness is form. Evem eva vedanaa-samjnaa-samskaara-vijnaanaani. -So it is for perception, conception, volition and consciousness. Iha Shaariputra sarva-dharmaah shuunyataa-lakshanaa, anutpannaa, aniruddhaa, amalaa, na vimalaa, nonaa, na paripuurnaah. -In this case, Shaariputra, all things have the characteristics of voidness; they neither arise nor perish; they are neither defiled nor pure, neither deficient nor complete. Tasmaac Chaariputra shuunyaayaam na ruupam na vedanaa na samjnaa na samskaaraa na vijnaanaani. -Therefore, Shaariputra, within the voidness, there is no form, no perception, no conception, no volition, nor consciousness. Na cakshuh-shrotra-ghraana-jihvaa-kaaya-manaamsi. -Neither is there eye, ear, nose, tongue, body or mind. Na ruupa-shabda-gandha-rasa-sprashtavya-dharmaah. -Neither is there form, sound, smell, taste, touch nor concepts. Na cakshurdhaatur yaavan na mano-vijnaana-dhaatuh. -Neither is there realm of sight, etc., until we come to the non-existence of realm of consciousness. Na vidyaa, naavidyaa, na vidyaa-kshayo, naavidyaa-kshayo, yaavan na jaraa-maranam na jaraamarana-kshayo, na duhkha-samudaya-nirodha-maargaa, na jnaanam, na praaptir apraaptitvena. -Neither is there wisdom, nor ignorance, nor extinction of wisdom, nor extinction of ignorance, etc., until we come to the non-existence of old age and death and the non-extinction of old age and death. Neither is there suffering, cause of suffering, extinction of suffering, nor the path leading to extinction of suffering. Neither is there wisdom nor acquisition because there is no grasping. Bodhisattvasya prajnaapaaramitaam aashritya viharaty acittaavaranah. Cittaavarana-naastitvaad atrasto, viparyaasaatikraanto nishtha-nirvaanah. -Depending on the bodhisattva's Perfection of Transcendent Wisdom, one dwells without any mental hindrance. Because of the absence of mental hindrance, one is fearless; freed from delusory thoughts, one will reach Nirvana. Tryadhva-vyavasthitaah sarvabuddhaah prajnaapaaramitaam aashrityaanuttaraam samyaksambodhim abhisambuddhaah. -All Buddhas dwelling in the three periods realize the highest, perfect enlightenment depending on the Perfection of Transcendent Wisdom. Tasmaaj jnaatavyo prajnaapaaramitaa-mahaamantro mahaavidyaa-mantro 'nuttara-mantro 'samasama-mantrah, sarvadukha-prashamanah, satyam amithyatvaat, prajnaapaaramitaayaam ukto mantrah. -For this reason, know that the Great Mantra of the Perfection of Transcendent Wisdom is the Great Wisdom Mantra, the Unsurpassed Mantra, and the Unequaled Mantra. It extinguishes all suffering, and is true and real because it is not false. It is the Mantra proclaimed in the Perfection of Transcendent Wisdom. Tad yathaa gate gate paaragate paarasamgate bodhi svaaha. -Namely, "Gone, gone, gone to the other shore; Gone completely to the other shore. Svaha." Iti prajnaapaaramitaa-hridayam samaaptam. -Thus ends the Essence of the Transcendent Wisdom Sutra.

Buddhist song

FREE BURMA WE ARE BUDDHIST,TOO Poetry reading for FREE BURMA,FREE Aung San Suu Kyi. 2008.4.19 EARTH DAY TOKYO いとうせいこう 高木完 DJ BAKU DUB MASTER X ミャンマー軍事政権に抗議するポエトリーリーディング "Poetry-reading against the military regime of Myanmar" by Seiko Ito Don't threaten the unresisting priests. Don't strike the unresisting priests. Don't imprison the unresisting priests. Don't kill the unresisting priests. They are out of the Power, And living in conformity with the law that is totally different from the Power. To threaten and strike them, To imprison and kill them, Those are totally lack of understanding and totally violence to "the people who live in conformity to the different law". And thus, destroying Others. And we are Others, too. Don't threaten the unresisting us. Don't strike the unresisting us. Don't imprison the unresisting us. Don't kill the unresisting us. We are out of the Power, and always have right to live in conformity to the different law. To threaten and strike us, To imprison and kill us. Those are totally lack of understanding and totally violence to "the people who own free will". And thus, destroying Others. Don't destroy Others. Don't destroy them, and us. Don't threaten. Don't strike. Don't imprison. Don't kill. The military regime of Myanmar! The goverment of China! Free Aung San Suu Kyi. Free Aung San Suu Kyi. Free Dalai Lama. Free Dalai Lama. We are them, too. They are us, too. Don't refuse a conversation. Because, conversation is the only way to link Others. If the Others fail to link, Threatening, striking, imprisoning and killing start. So, carry on a conversation! Carry on a conversation! And talk together to carry on a conversation! Thus, Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Press is to prevent threatening, striking, imprisoning and killing. To say carry on a conversation and to fall back on conversation, are equall to stand squarely in the way of threatening, striking, imprisoning and killing. The military regime of Myanmar. The goverment of China. Carry on a conversation. Don't threaten. Carry on a conversation. Don't strike. Carry on a conversation. Don't imprison. Carry on a conversation. Don't kill. Carry on a conversation! We are them, too. They are us, too.

Prayer for Liberation of Brother and Sister Animals. May all sentient beings in the animal realm subject to unbearable pain in labs throughout the world be free from suffering. May alternatives to animal experimentation and testing be used immediately. May Bodhicitta fill the hearts of those who imprison them. May all sentient beings from the animal realm who suffer endless days, months, years locked in tiny cages unable to move, be filled with peace and calm. May the many billions waiting in slaughterhouse lines be free of fear. May the hearts of those who work in abattoirs be filled with Bodhicitta so the very thought of harm is purified. May they never kill again and may the slaughterhouse lines become immediately empty. May no animal be afraid or depressed. May their bodies be free of injuries, disease and illness. May those who need homes, or who have been driven from them find shelter, plentiful food & water. May there be liberation for those tortured for fur, entertainment or who are hunted. May those who believe they are superior to our brother & sister animals develop perfect equanimity. And may they realise in their hearts that all sentient beings possess Buddha nature And they are not ours to kill or exploit. May the many billions of land and sea dwelling sentient beings who are abused, exploited and killed due to greed, hatred and ignorance be free of suffering May they experience complete and perfect enlightenment, through the virtue of my efforts and prayers. May I be a voice for the voiceless. In short, may all human and non-human sentient beings live together in harmony, peace and equanimity and achieve perfect Enlightenment quickly. Composed Feb 14, 2007 by Liberation of Brother & Sister Animals. http://www.lobsa.org To help our brother & sister animals - Go Vegan, Join your local animal rights group & become active. Don't buy animal products, find alternatives and don't buy products tested on animals. Sign US Animal Bill of Rights (international signatures welcome) http://www.animalbillofrights/

SEPTEMBER 20, 2007 BBC WORLD

Prajnaparamitra http://www.alyta.com/HeartSutra.html Pinyin jie di jie di bo luo jie di bo luo seng jie di pu ti sa po he (3x) guan zi zai pu sa xing shen bo re po luo mi duo shi zhao jian wu yun jie kong du yi qie ku e she li zi se bu yi kong kong bu yi se se ji shi kong kong ji shi se shou xiang xing shi yi fu ru shi she li zi shi zhu fa kong xiang bu sheng bu mie bu gou bu jing bu zeng bu jian shi gu kong zhong wu se wu shou xiang xing shi wu yan er bi she shen yi wu se sheng xiang wei chu fa wu yian jie nai zhi wu yi shi jie wu wu ming yi wu wu ming jin nai zhi wu lao si yi wu lao si jin wu ku ji mie dao wu zhi yi wu de yi wu suo de gu pu ti sa duo yi bo re po luo mi duo gu xin wu gua ai wu gua ai gu wu you kong bu yuan li dian dao meng xiang jiu jing nie pan san shi zhu fo yi bo re po luo mi duo gu de a nou duo luo san miao san pu ti gu zhi bo re po luo mi duo shi da shen zhou shi da ming zhou shi wu shang zhou shi wu deng deng zhou neng chu yi qie ku zhen shi bu xu gu shuo bo re po luo mi duo zhou ji shuo zhou yue jie di jie di bo luo jie di bo luo seng jie di pu ti sa po he (3x)

A short clip of Lama Surya Das giving a basic description of Buddhist Meditation during one of his week-long meditation retreats.

mantra

Inspiring interview with Ethan Nichtern, Founder and Director of the Interdependence Project (The ID Project) in New York City and author of the new book "One City: A Declaration of Interdependence". This is a fascinating and personal discussion of Nichtern's idea of interdependence, as well as an enlightening conversation about Eastern ideas in general, such as Buddhism and meditation. Nichtern talks about how there is a strong current desire worldwide for a new social consciousness that properly balances inner peace with informed civic and social engagement and responsibility.

Buddhist Chant - Heart Sutra (Japanese) Hannya Shingyo Heart of Wisdom Sutra http://www.budtempchi.org/hannyashingyo.html [Leader] Maka Hannya Haramita Shingyo [Everyone] Kanjizai Bosatsu Gyo Jin Hannya Haramita Ji Sho Ken Go Un Kai Ku Do Issai Ku Yaku Sharishi Shiki Fu I Ku Ku Fu I Shiki Shiki Soku Ze Ku Ku Soku Ze Shiki Ju So Gyo Shiki Yaku Bu Nyo Ze Sharishi Ze Sho Ho Ku So Fu Sho Fu Metsu Fu Ku Fu Jo Fu Zo Fu Gen Ze Ko Ku Chu Mu Shiki Mu Ju So Gyo Shiki Mu Gen Ni Bi Zets' Shin I Mu Shiki Sho Ko Mi Soku Ho Mu Gen Kai Nai Shi Mu I Shiki Kai Mu Mu Myo Yaku Mu Mu Myo Jin Nai Shi Mu Ro Shi Yaku Mu Ro Shi Jin Mu Ku Shu Metsu Do Mu Chi Yaku Mu Toku I Mu Sho Tokko Bodaisatta E Hannya Haramita Ko Shin Mu Ke Ge Mu Ke Ge Ko Mu U Ku Fu On Ri Issai Tendo Mu So Ku Gyo Nehan San Ze Sho Butsu E Hannya Haramita Ko Toku A Noku Ta Ra Sanmyaku Sambodai Ko Chi Hannya Haramita Ze Dai Jin Shu Ze Dai Myo Shu Ze Mu Jo Shu Ze Mu To Do Shu No Jo Issai Ku Shin Jitsu Fu Ko Ko Setsu Hannya Haramita Shu Soku Setsu Shu Watsu Gyate Gyate Hara Gyate Hara So Gyate Boji Sowa Ka Hannya Shin Gyo - ENGLISH TRANSLATION - [Leader] Heart of the Great Wisdom Sutra [Everyone] When a sincere truth seeker attains the wisdom of enlightenment, he realizes that all the five senses are empty and he transcends every suffering. Listen: All things are no different from emptiness; emptiness is not different from all things. Form is emptiness; emptiness is form. Feelings, perceptions, impulses, consciousness are also like this. Listen: The original nature of all things is neither born nor extinguished. There is no purity, no defilement; no gain, no loss. In this world of emptiness there is no form, no feelings, perceptions, impulses, or consciousness. No eye, ear, tongue body, or mind. Therefore, no color, sound, smell, taste, touch, or thought. The world of form does not exist, nor the world of the mind or of ignorance; no old age and no death. Yet there is continuous ignorance, old age, and death. There is no suffering, no cause of suffering, no cessation of suffering; no wisdom and no attainment because there is nothing to be attained. The compassionate truth-seeker depends upon the wisdom of enlightenment. When the mind does not become attached to anything, there are no obstacles and fear does not exist. This mind goes beyond all disruptive views and attains Nirvana. All the Buddhas of the past, present and future depend upon the wisdom of enlightenment--and so attain the supreme, wisdom of enlightenment as the great unexplainable true word, the great shining true word that is able to remove all suffering. It is true, not false. This true word of wisdom says: Gyate Gyate Hara Gyate Hara So Gyate Bodhi Sowa Ka.

10,000 monks in protest for democracy. Buddhism is a variety of teachings, sometimes described as a religion[1] or way of life that attempts to identify the causes of human suffering and offer various ways that are claimed to end, or ease suffering. This is formulated through the Four Noble Truths which teach suffering and its cessation through the Eightfold Path. It is a body of philosophies influenced by the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, known as Gautama Buddha.[2] It is also a set of teachings to guide one to directly experiencing reality[3][4]. Many scholars say that there is not one Buddhism but many Buddhisms, and the latest edition of one textbook is retitled Buddhist Religions.[5] Buddhism is also known as Buddha Dharma or Dhamma, which means roughly the "teachings of the Awakened One" in Sanskrit and Pali, languages of ancient Buddhist texts. Buddhism began around the 5th century BCE in India with the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, commonly referred to as "the Buddha". Gautama, whose personal name according to later sources was Siddhartha, was born in the city of Lumbini[6] and was raised in Kapilavastu.[7] The traditional story of his life is as follows; little of this can be regarded as established historical fact. Born a prince, his father, King Suddhodana, was said to have been visited by a wise man shortly after Siddhartha was born. The wise man said that Siddhartha would either become a great king (chakravartin) or a holy man (Sadhu). Determined to make Siddhartha a king, the father tried to shield his son from the unpleasant realities of daily life. Despite his father's efforts, at the age of 29, he discovered the suffering of his people, first through an encounter with an elderly man. On subsequent trips outside the palace, he encountered various sufferings such as a diseased man, a decaying corpse, and a monk or an ascetic. These are often termed 'The Four Sights. Gautama was deeply depressed by these four sights and sought to overcome old age, illness, and death by living the life of an ascetic. Gautama escaped his palace, leaving behind this royal life to become a mendicant. For a time on his spiritual quest, Buddha "experimented with extreme asceticism, which at that time was seen as a powerful spiritual practice...such as fasting, holding the breath, and exposure of the body to pain...he found, however, that these ascetic practices brought no genuine spiritual benefits and in fact, being based on self-hatred, that they were counterproductive." After abandoning asceticism and concentrating instead upon meditation and, according to some sources, Anapanasati (awareness of breathing in and out), Gautama is said to have discovered what Buddhists call the Middle Way—a path of moderation that lies mid-way between the extremes of self-indulgence and self-mortification. He accepted a little milk and rice pudding from a village girl and then, sitting under a pipal tree or Sacred fig (Ficus religiosa), also known as the Bodhi tree, in Bodh Gaya,[10][11] he vowed never to arise until he had found the Truth. His five companions, believing that he had abandoned his search and become undisciplined, left. After 49 days meditating, at the age of 35, he attained bodhi, also known as "Awakening" or "Enlightenment" in the West. After his attainment of bodhi he was known as Buddha or Gautama Buddha and spent the rest of his life teaching his insights (Dharma).[12] According to scholars, he lived around the fifth century BCE, but his more exact birthdate is open to debate.[13] He died at the age of 80 in Kushinagara (Pali Kusinara) (India). The most common way scholars categorize Buddhist schools follows the major languages of the extant Buddhist canons, which exist in Pāli, Tibetan (also found in Mongolian translation) and Chinese collections, along with some texts that still exist in Sanskrit and Buddhist Hybrid Sanskrit. This is a useful division for practical purposes, but does not necessarily correspond to philosophical or doctrinal divisions since, despite the differences, there are common threads to almost all Buddhist branches: All accept the Buddha as their teacher. All accept the Middle Way, Dependent origination, the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path, in theory, though in practice these have little or no importance in some traditions. All accept that both the members of the laity and of the Sangha can pursue the path toward enlightenment (bodhi). All consider Buddhahood to be the highest attainment; however Theravada consider the Nibbana attained by Arahants as identical to that attained by the Buddha himself, as there is only one type of Nibbana. According to Theravada, a Buddha is someone that had discovered the path all by himself and taught it to others.

Sanskrit: "Om Mani Padma Hum" (mantra of Avalokiteshvara) Tibetan: "Om Mani Peme Hung" (mantra of Chenrezig) http://www.nj.org/tv/buddhism.html Tibetan Buddhist chanting, Venerable Drupon Thinley Ningpo Rinpoche (Rin - Po Che) chants "Om Mani Padme Hum." The Meaning of the Mantra in Tibetan Buddhism http://www.dharma-haven.org/tibetan/meaning-of-om-mani-padme-hung.htm

This is from a GlobeAware volunteer trip I took to Thailand at the end of 2006. The music choice may seem odd but wait till the end and you shall be enlightened.

http://dharmicjourney.blogspot.com The Discovering Buddhism program is the result of the combined efforts of a number of FPMT teachers and spiritual program coordinators, under the guidance and advice of Lama Zopa Rinpoche. www.fpmt.org/education/dbdescription.asp dharmicjourney.blogspot.com

Harmony of the Soul: Shomyo (Ambient Version) http://www.amazon.com/Buddhist-Chants-Harmony-Various-Artists/dp/B000001KL7

Buddhist Prayer for Those Suffering in Factory Farms. Consider adopting a cruelty free diet and lifestyle - Go vegan for peace, for yourself, for all sentient beings and the environment. 55 billion animals suffer and die in factory farms / year. 90 percent of all animals killed for "food" today are raised in factory farms. Every sentient being is an individual, precious and possesses Buddha nature. Compassion is action - Speak out and be the change you wish to see in the world. For more info on how to adopt a vegan diet & cruelty free diet - VeganOutreach - http://www.veganoutreach.org, http://www.veganyumyum.com "For as long as space endures And for as long as living beings remain Until then may I too abide To dispel the misery of the world." Shantideva - 8th C Buddhist saint

http://protectacow.typepad.com/ SB 1.3.24 P Krsna Is the Source of All Incarnations TEXT 24 LORD BUDDHA PREDICTED IN THE VEDAS TRANSLATION Then, in the beginning of Kali-yuga, the Lord will appear as Lord Buddha, the son of Anjana, in the province of Gaya, just for the purpose of deluding those who are envious of the faithful theist. PURPORT Lord Buddha, a powerful incarnation of the Personality of Godhead, appeared in the province of Gaya (Bihar) as the son of Anjana, and he preached his own conception of nonviolence and deprecated even the animal sacrifices sanctioned in the Vedas. At the time when Lord Buddha appeared, the people in general were atheistic and preferred animal flesh to anything else. On the plea of Vedic sacrifice, every place was practically turned into a slaughterhouse, and animal-killing was indulged in unrestrictedly. Lord Buddha preached nonviolence, taking pity on the poor animals. He preached that he did not believe in the tenets of the Vedas and stressed the adverse psychological effects incurred by animal-killing. Less intelligent men of the age of Kali, who had no faith in God, followed his principle, and for the time being they were trained in moral discipline and nonviolence, the preliminary steps for proceeding further on the path of God realization. He deluded the atheists because such atheists who followed his principles did not believe in God, but they kept their absolute faith in Lord Buddha, who himself was the incarnation of God. Thus the faithless people were made to believe in God in the form of Lord Buddha. That was the mercy of Lord Buddha: he made the faithless faithful to him. Killing of animals before the advent of Lord Buddha was the most prominent feature of the society. People claimed that these were Vedic sacrifices. When the Vedas are not accepted through the authoritative disciplic succession, the casual readers of the Vedas are misled by the flowery language of that system of knowledge. In the Bhagavad-gita a comment has been made on such foolish scholars (avipascitah). The foolish scholars of Vedic literature who do not care to receive the transcendental message through the transcendental realized sources of disciplic succession are sure to be bewildered. To them, the ritualistic ceremonies are considered to be all in all. They have no depth of knowledge. According to the Bhagavad-gita (15.15), vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyah: the whole system of the Vedas is to lead one gradually to the path of the Supreme Lord. The whole theme of Vedic literature is to know the Supreme Lord, the individual soul, the cosmic situation and the relation between all these items. When the relation is known, the relative function begins, and as a result of such a function the ultimate goal of life or going back to Godhead takes place in the easiest manner. Unfortunately, unauthorized scholars of the Vedas become captivated by the purificatory ceremonies only, and natural progress is thereby checked. To such bewildered persons of atheistic propensity, Lord Buddha is the emblem of theism. He therefore first of all wanted to check the habit of animal-killing. The animal-killers are dangerous elements on the path going back to Godhead. There are two types of animal-killers. The soul is also sometimes called the "animal" or the living being. Therefore, both the slaughterer of animals and those who have lost their identity of soul are animal-killers. Maharaja Pariksit said that only the animal-killer cannot relish the transcendental message of the Supreme Lord. Therefore if people are to be educated to the path of Godhead, they must be taught first and foremost to stop the process of animal-killing as above mentioned. It is nonsensical to say that animal-killing has nothing to do with spiritual realization. By this dangerous theory many so-called sannyasis have sprung up by the grace of Kali-yuga who preach animal-killing under the garb of the Vedas. The subject matter has already been discussed in the conversation between Lord Caitanya and Maulana Chand Kazi Shaheb. The animal sacrifice as stated in the Vedas is different from the unrestricted animal-killing in the slaughterhouse. Because the asuras or the so-called scholars of Vedic literatures put forward the evidence of animal-killing in the Vedas, Lord Buddha superficially denied the authority of the Vedas. This rejection of the Vedas by Lord Buddha was adopted in order to save people from the vice of animal-killing as well as to save the poor animals from the slaughtering process of their big brothers who clamor for universal brotherhood, peace, justice and equity. There is no justice when there is animal-killing. Lord Buddha wanted to stop it completely, and therefore his cult of ahimsa was propagated not only in India but also outside the country.

It's a slammin' kung-fu free-for-all starring our favorite warrior monkey! Games, DVD's, TV episodes and more at: http://www.happytreefriends.com

Buddhist Meditation Relaxation Nirvana Yoga Technique Video

on dvd at Http://festivalmedia.org The Internationally Acclaimed Classic— Tibet: A Buddhist Trilogy "Astonishing achievement." --The Times of London "Profoundly moving." --LA Times "An epic documentary of spirituality in exile ... compellingly beautiful—a very special masterpiece." -- The Village Voice Tibet: A Buddhist Trilogy is one of the very highly accomplished films to be made about our culture ... The film also captures the sense of inner peace and light-heartedness in the face of adversity, which many have remarked is a compelling quality of the Tibetan character. --His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama New direct-to-digital transfer and remaster from original 16mm film Bonus Features Include: Interview with the Producer and Director and the complete sound recording from a tantric Buddhist ritual Stunning cinematography, unprecedented access and informed direction take us on an intimate journey deep into the heart of the ancient Buddhist culture of Tibet. This is a classic work filmed in 16mm on location in India, Nepal and Ladakh during 1977. Hailed as a masterpiece, this is a spellbinding exploration of Tibetan Buddhism. Written and directed by Graham Coleman (editor of the recently released first complete translation of the Tibetan Book of the Dead) and produced and photographed by David Lascelles, the film features an intimate portrait of the Dalai Lama, a rare look at an ancient tantric ritual associated with the female deity Tara, commentary based on the teachings of the great 20th century Tibetan master Dudjom Rinpoche, and the moving response of a monastery to a death in the community. In making the Trilogy, we were searching for an immediacy, intimacy and unobtrusiveness, which had been so masterfully achieved in such classic documentaries as Robert Flaherty's Nanook of the North and the films of Fred Wiseman. We were trying to allow the Tibetan way of life to speak directly to the audience. Above all, we hoped that the film would draw the audience into the spirit of the Tibetan way of life, into its lightheartedness, openness and quietly powerful awareness of the sacred. --Director Graham Coleman Part I: The Dalai Lama, the Monasteries and the People Filmed in the Dalai Lama's residence in Dharamsala, India, and in the rebuilt Sera Monastery, the second largest monastery of the old Tibet, the opening part of the Trilogy observes the Dalai Lama in his dual role as head of state and spiritual teacher. The film interweaves this personal portrait with an intimately observed exploration of the ways in which the inner knowledge of Tibetan Buddhist culture is developed in the monasteries through vigorous debate and solitary meditation, and communicated to the lay community. Part II: Radiating the Fruit of Truth Part II journeys deep into the mystical inner world of monastic life. Set in the ancient village of Boudha, Nepal, and the isolated mountain caves of the yogis, the film follows the lamas of the Phulwary Sakya Monastery through their contemplative retreats, the building of an intricate cosmogram, and the performance of an ancient protective ritual invocation of the female deity Tara known as "A Beautiful Ornament." With a commentary based on the teachings of the great 20th century master Dudjom Rinpoche, the essence of tantric Buddhism is powerfully revealed. Part III: The Fields of the Senses Set in the majestic mountain landscape of Ladakh, Part III is a meditation on impermanence and the relationship between the mind, body and environment. It follows monks and farmers through a day, ending with an unflinching depiction of a monastery's moving ritual response to a death in the community. As in the Tibetan Book of the Dead, the departed is guided through the dream-like intermediate state between death and birth. Written and Directed by Graham Coleman Produced and Photographed by David Lascelles Narrated by Thupten Jinpa A Thread Cross Films/Orient Foundation (UK) Presentation Official film website FM1005—134 minutes / Color / English, Tibetan (English subtitles) / Stereo / NTSC / All-Region SRP $29.95

At 80 years old, Buddhist Monk Thich Quang Do is one of Vietnam's most prominent dissidents. Deputy leader of the outlawed Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam, he's spent more than 25 years in detention for advocating greater religious freedoms and rights. Now in tapes smuggled out of Vietnam, Thich Quang Do talks of life beyond the glossy tourist brochures to reveal a darker side of communist Vietnam.

HH Dalai Lama said the following about Lama Zopa Rinpoche Jan 2007, after Rinpoche read praises. HH Dalai Lama said - "Rinpoche is someone who follows my guidance sincerely, very expansively and with one hundred percent trust. He possesses unwavering faith and pure samaya; not only has he pure samaya and faith but whatever I instruct, Zopa Rinpoche has the capability to accomplish it. So whatever dedications Lama Zopa Rinpoche makes I also pray to accomplish this and you should do the same thing. Here among the listeners there are many lay and ordained people and people of different races gathered together. We are all the same in being inspired by the kind Buddha's teachings and in wishing to practice as much as we can. With such thoughts we are gathered here today. I am sure with this unifying force of faith and trust, if we pray there will be benefits. The Buddha's teaching is now heading from the 20th into the 21st century. Generally, Buddha's teachings and especially the tradition of the great Nalanda pandits, as preserved by the people of the Land of Snow, are starting to be realized by others, throughout the world. At this time it is becoming more and more recognized that this is a unique tradition in having many benefits supported by reasoning. At this time, I have no ability to do much but as I am a simple monk following the Buddha I always generate the motivation to benefit others as much as I can, for as long as space remains. Particularly, as there are many people who rely on me, the longer I live the more I can practically benefit, so I pray to live long. As Rinpoche made dedication prayers I also pray to accomplish such, and you also do the same. It's very important that we all act with non-duplicitous sincerity and great vision, putting as much determined effort as we can, not just saying mere words and acting only when it's convenient. As long as our activities are beneficial to others we must put effort into them. Rinpoche has inserted many extra words so I need to read this at leisure -- there is no way I can read it immediately. Rinpoche, I am going to read it in a relaxed way (turns to Rinpoche and laughs). I would like to thank all the people working in Rinpoche's organization. Actually we will have a brief meeting later on but you all are working very hard until now. I would like to request you to continue. Rinpoche works with such determination and great sincerity in the service of Buddha's teachings and sentient beings, it's important that we all combine our efforts. Other than that I have nothing special to say." Transcribed and edited by Ven Thubten Labdron. To read more about Lama Zopa Rinpoche http://www.fpmt.org/teachers/zopa/ http://www.dalailama.org.au HH Dalai Lama in Australia Ltd. http://www.dalailama.com HH Dalai Lama's personal homepage