Saturday, June 20, 2009

Zen 禅 - 2009 Takahashi Banmei film


Zen (禅) - the Banmei Takahashi film originally shown in theaters in January, will be released on DVD with English subtitles this month in R2-J DVD format.

This interesting film follows the life of Dogen Zenji, a legendary Zen Buddhist monk, philosopher and founder of Soto-shu (曹洞宗) - played expertly by noted kabuki performer Kantaro Nakamura (中村勘太郎), with emphasis on the rather tumultuous Kamakura period.

At the urging of his dying mother, the main character becomes a monk to focus on the welfare of others. Losing both of his parents at a young age made this monk appreciate the fleeting nature of life and motivated his search along the path of enlightenment.

While he studied Buddhist teachings elsewhere, it was upon his return to Japan that he met with the greatest resistance as he worked to promote a new form of Buddhism Soto-shu (曹洞宗).

Well worth it.

All the best....Mark

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