Buddha Deep Meditation Internal Change true story about live Buddhist teaching : Documentary Film

This documentary for PBS by award-winning filmmaker , tells the story of the Buddha’s life, a journey especially relevant to our own bewildering times of violent change and spiritual confusion.

It features the work of some of the world’s greatest artists and sculptors, who across two millennia, have depicted the Buddha’s life in art rich in beauty and complexity.

Hear insights into the ancient narrative by contemporary Buddhists, including Pulitzer Prize winning poet W.S. Merwin and His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Join the conversation and learn more about meditation, the history of Buddhism, and how to incorporate the Buddha’s teachings on compassion and mindfulness into daily life.

Two-thousand-five-hundred years ago in northern India, Prince Siddhartha left his palace where he had spent twenty-nine years indulging in pleasures.

He was determined to comprehend the nature of human suffering. After a grueling spiritual quest that lasted six years, he at last attained enlightenment meditating under a fig tree.

He became the Buddha, the “awakened one,” and devoted the rest of his life to teaching the way to enlightenment that he himself had found, giving birth to one of the world’s great religions.

s it possible for humans to not eat or consume water for longer than 3 or 4 days? What used to be scientifically impossible is now under great question as a teenage boy in South-Central Nepal meditated for 10 months and did not consume food or water during the entire time. This story is receiving more attention these days as the world continues to open up to new possibilities.

Ram Bahadur Bomjon, also known as “Buddha Boy” decided one day to go to a tree in Nepal and begin meditating for what he initially said would be 6 years. His actions quickly became a huge news story as he received attention from thousands of visitors. The media also had a field day with his story as he attracted journalists and film makers from all over the world. One of the most notable pieces of attention came when a film crew traveled to Nepal to determine if it was possible for a human to abstain from all forms of sustenance.

Familiarity with the basic principles of Buddhism is expected.

This class is for those interested in learning about the Zen Way, and covers the fundamentals of Rinzai Zen training. Newcomers are most welcome to join at anytime. In order to benefit fully, regular attendance is recommended.

Each class includes a talk on some specific point of Zen practice, and in this way participants become familiar with the sayings and stories of the old Zen masters.

Participants are introduced to the essentials of the quiet sitting practice (zazen) and are given guidelines for practicing at home. (Sitting meditation on a cushion if possible, otherwise on a chair.)

Participants are also given suggestions for practice in their daily lives, and are helped to discover for themselves how to practice Zen in their ordinary day-to-day activities.