Talk:Little Buddha
From DharmaflixWiki
I must say I find the two reviews of Little Buddha sadly misinformed. Zen Master Seung Sahn finds the film dissatisfying because he feels it isn't complete, it leaves the viewer hanging. Quite obviously Master Sahn misses the point of the film, which I feel is the miracle of the passage of one life to another. It's not important what Jessie or any of the other tulkus do with their lives as long ago they made vows to be of benefit to all beings in every life. How they accomplish that end may differ from life to life, but it is always about bringing benefit to beings. His criticism of the boy returning to his parents at the end is also difficult to comprehend, basically for the same reason. Now that the boy has become aware of his true identity, the way he spends his life is basically up to him. He could have entered a monastery and taken training, or he could return to his old life and take it up again. What's the big deal? Either way he can find ways to be of benefit. Yes, the Buddha did leave his wife and child and parents. But there are different ways of doing that. Basically you're not taking refuge in samsara anymore, whether you literally leave your home or not.
The other reviewer also struck some sour notes. His statement that "the implicit conclusion for the vast majority of Americans will probably be that all Buddhists today believe in reincarnation" makes me scratch my head. What Buddhists don't believe in reincarnation, or more correctly, rebirth? How can you possibly make any sense out of what the Buddha taught if you don't believe in rebirth? Do you think karma just applies to this life, that it ends when you die? Thinking that, you would believe that if a mass murderer were somehow to escape justice and die an old man he'd be off the hook. I don't think that's what the Buddha taught. Karma is what impels rebirth. It isn't rebirth of an individual or a "soul", that's not what the Buddha taught, but there is a connection between the lives nonetheless. As for tulkus, the teaching is that they consciously reincarnate wherever they can be of most benefit for beings. I am glad the reviewer liked the movie, and basically I think his review is a very good one, but I just wanted to clear up that point.
Personally I love the film, but then I'm a Tibetan Buddhist, so I guess that makes me biased. But just from an artistic point of view I think it's a masterpiece - the juxtaposition of the warm and lush scenes from the life of the Buddha with the blues and greys of Seattle is brilliant. The echo of the Buddha's story in the life of Jessie is also well done. It's the work of a cinematic master at his best, so don't miss it!
Palzang
