Movie - Zen - The Life of Dogen Zenji

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Mr. G
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Movie - Zen - The Life of Dogen Zenji

Post by Mr. G »

The film was theatrically released back on January 10th and follows the life of Zen Buddhist monk Dogen Zenji (played by kabuki performer Kantaro Nakamura) during the turbulent Kamakura period. Dogen’s parents died when he was very young, and his devout mother’s final wish was that he go on to become a monk and work for the welfare of all beings. The experience of having his parents die gave Dogen a special insight into the fleeting nature of life and sparked his search for enlightenment. He traveled to China and trained to become a Buddhist teacher, but when he returned to Japan to spread what he learned of a new form of Buddhism he was met with resistance and suppression.

Trailer (unfortunately, there are no english subtitles):

phpBB [video]


Website: http://www.zen.sh/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Japanese distributor Amuse Soft Entertainment released Banmei Takahashi‘s Zen on R2-J DVD with English subtitles in June.
  • How foolish you are,
    grasping the letter of the text and ignoring its intention!
    - Vasubandhu
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Astus
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Re: Movie - Zen - The Life of Dogen Zenji

Post by Astus »

It is a great film, I recommend it to everyone. :twothumbsup:
1 Myriad dharmas are only mind.
Mind is unobtainable.
What is there to seek?

2 If the Buddha-Nature is seen,
there will be no seeing of a nature in any thing.

3 Neither cultivation nor seated meditation —
this is the pure Chan of Tathagata.

4 With sudden enlightenment to Tathagata Chan,
the six paramitas and myriad means
are complete within that essence.


1 Huangbo, T2012Ap381c1 2 Nirvana Sutra, T374p521b3; tr. Yamamoto 3 Mazu, X1321p3b23; tr. J. Jia 4 Yongjia, T2014p395c14; tr. from "The Sword of Wisdom"
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Mr. G
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Re: Movie - Zen - The Life of Dogen Zenji

Post by Mr. G »

I watched it today, it was really good!
  • How foolish you are,
    grasping the letter of the text and ignoring its intention!
    - Vasubandhu
Bodhi
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Re: Movie - Zen - The Life of Dogen Zenji

Post by Bodhi »

an extremely good movie! I totally recommend it.
Wherever you are, that is where the mind should be. Always be mindful, and be your own master. This is true freedom. - Grand Master Wei Chueh
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kirtu
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Re: Movie - Zen - The Life of Dogen Zenji

Post by kirtu »

mr. gordo wrote:I watched it today, it was really good!
How did you watch it? Is it online?

I grew up watching Japanese period movies (mostly samurai movies/TV shows and of course Kurosawa) and have wondered if there were Buddhist oriented period films (for example there was one at least a decade ago about Kukai).

Kirt
Kirt's Tibetan Translation Notes

"Even if you practice only for an hour a day with faith and inspiration, good qualities will steadily increase. Regular practice makes it easy to transform your mind. From seeing only relative truth, you will eventually reach a profound certainty in the meaning of absolute truth."
Kyabje Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche.

"Only you can make your mind beautiful."
HH Chetsang Rinpoche

"Most all-knowing Mañjuśrī, ...
Please illuminate the radiant wisdom spirit
Of my precious Buddha nature."
HH Thinley Norbu Rinpoche
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Mr. G
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Re: Movie - Zen - The Life of Dogen Zenji

Post by Mr. G »

kirtu wrote:How did you watch it? Is it online?
My friend lent me his copy. I think it may be on Asian DVD Club too.
  • How foolish you are,
    grasping the letter of the text and ignoring its intention!
    - Vasubandhu
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