Documentaries
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IMPERMANENCE: Embracing Change by David Hodge and Hi-Jin Hodge, foreword by HH Dalai Lama Pre-order Now--Available October 2008. Cloth. 144 pp. 108 b&w photos. 7.5" x 6.5", plus 3 hour DVD. #IMEMCH - regular price $ 29.95 Our Price $23.96 Published by Snow Lion What does it mean that we are constantly changing? How do people confront ideas like death and change? Though impermanence is a central Buddhist concept, it’s also a universal concern. We all grow up, change, and eventually pass into another state. Impermanence: Embracing Change provides a range of voices, profound and heartwarming, that address these questions. More ... | |
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MANDALA: The Sacred Circle of Vajrabhairava video featuring monks of Namgyal Monastery, written & produced by Daniel Cozort & Lonna Malmsheimer. 55 min. #MASACI - regular price $ 29.95 Our Price $9.88 Published by Snow Lion This is a fascinating look at the creation and profound inner meaning of the world's richest religious symbol, the Buddhist mandala, an intricate and vividly colored pattern that represents an enlightened universe. Filmed during the construction of the sand mandala of the Buddha Vajrabhairava (the Diamond Terrifier), it intimately shows the artistry of the Namgyal monks as they build the mandala grain by grain. It explains the detailed symbolism of the mandala, and presents a captivating introduction to Buddhism and tantra. Mandala is dedicated to the late Ven. Pema Losang Chogyen whose impressive 3-dimensional, computer-generated mandala is excerpted. "It is an especially effective presentation of the wonder and the precision of the sand mandala and of the philosophies behind the art form."--Tibet Journal More ... | |
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10 QUESTIONS FOR THE DALAI LAMA--DVD directed by Rick Ray, music by Peter Kater 85-min. DVD. #TEQUDV - $ 29.95 If you had only one hour, what would you ask the Dalai Lama? In Ten Questions for the Dalai Lama, this award-winning documentary by the director of The Soul of India examines some of the fundamental questions of our time with the Dalai Lama in this well-produced film. Includes rare historical footage as well as images taken with hidden camera in Tibet. More ... | |
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CHAMPION OF COMPASSION: Kalachakra DVD by Tashi Eugyal, narrated by Thupten Jinpa 65-min. DVD #CHCODV - $ 14.95 This well-made documentary focuses on many aspects of the Kalachakra initiation--its purpose (with an extensive commentary by the abbot of Namgyal, India), the sand mandala, sacred dance--and is filled with beautiful footage of HH the Dalai Lama in Toronto. Special features include a history of Tibet and its struggle, as well as a glimpse into what it takes to organize such an event! Narrated by His Holiness' translator. | |
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COMING OF AGE: The 21st Birthday Celebration of HH the 17th Karmapa DVD 45-min. DVD. #COAGDV - $ 20.00 On June 26, 2006, followers of the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism gathered at Gyuto Tantric University in Dharamsala, India to celebrate the 21st birthday and coming of age of His Holiness, the 17th Karmapa, Ogyen Trinley Dorje. This DVD provides a visually beautiful and spiritually meaningful forty-five minute documentary of this wonderful occasion. The documentary includes scenes from Karmapa's discovery, enthronement and education, a mandala offering and long life puja performed for His Holiness by the Gyuto monks, colorful images of the afternoon folk festival, an excerpts from a teaching by Karmapa on generating Bodhicitta. | |
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COMPASSION IN EXILE: The Story of the 14th Dalai Lama a film by Mickey Lemle, music by Philip Glass 62 min. DVD, NTSC. #COEXDV - $ 24.95 This is the story of the Dalai Lama, and it is filled with wonderful photos (much never before seen), film clips and candid interviews with His Holiness, his family and other prominent people and Tibetans who have left Tibet. With candor and humor, the Dalai Lama describes his upbringing and the key moments in his life leading to his becoming head of state at age sixteen, meeting with Mao Zedong, and of his life in exile and non-violent struggle on behalf of his people. This DVD is inspiring throughout. | |
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DESTROYER OF ILLUSION: The Secret World of a Tibetan Lama DVD written and directed by Richard Kohn, produced by Franz-Christophe Giercke and Barbara Becker, narrated by Richard Gere 56-min. DVD. #DEILDV - $ 24.95 Unprecedented access and intimate knowledge inform this richly detailed and beautifully filmed portrait of a secret Tibetan Buddhist ritual, the Mani Rimdu festival, and the remarkable spiritual teacher, Trulshik Rinpoche, who leads and preserves this centuries-old tradition. Previously broadcast on PBS More ... | |
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KUNDUN: The True Story of a Man Whose Struggle Would Lead a Nation DVD a film by Martin Scorsese, music by Philip Glass Run time: approx. 135 minutes. #KUTHDV - $ 16.95 Praised as one of the best films of the year, Kundun is a motion picture masterpiece directed by five-time Academy Awary-nominated director Martin Scorsese. It's the incredible true story of one of the world's most fascinating leaders--Tibet's Dalai Lama--and his daring struggle to rune a nation at one of the most challenging times in its history. Powerfully told and set against a backdrop of world politics, the film's release created an international uproar! Featuring a striking, Oscar-nominated score by renowned composer Philip Glass, this extraordinary motion picture has been greeted with both controversy and worldwide acclaim... experience it for yourself! More ... | |
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THE LION'S ROAR: The Classic Portrait of the 16th Gyalwa Karmapa DVD by Rick Fields 50-min. DVD #LIRODV - $ 24.95 The Lion's Roar is a magnificent work--dramatic, moving, richly colorful in both sound and sight. It depicts the life and times of one of Tibetan Buddhism's most respected leaders. Packed with rare footage of Trungpa, Dilgo Khyentse, Jamgon Kongtrul, Tai Situ, Kalu and other great Rinpoches, it traces the Karmapa's lineage from its earliest roots to the 20th century. The Tibetan tradition of enlightened reincarnation began in the 8th century with the Karmapa lineage and continues to this day. Karmapa, the Black Hat Lama of Tibet, has been honored as a Living Buddha in his seventeen successive incarnations. The coming of the first Karmapa fulfilled a prophecy made by the Buddha that this emanation of Compassion would appear in the world in order to alleviate the sufferings of humanity in the Dark Ages of materialism. Newly released on DVD! More ... | |
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MANDALA: World of the Mystic Circle produced by Martin McGee and Cathy Steffan 55-min. DVD #MAWODV - $ 19.95 A finalist at the American Film and Video Festival, this film explores mandalas' archetypal motifs on a myriad of levels with experts in physics, philosophy, architecture, psychology and art. As one of its outstanding features it captures, from start to finish, the month-long creation by Tibetan monks of the famous Kalachakra sand mandala. This well-narrated, informative, stimulating docu-DVD with beautiful photography is a delight to watch again and again. An excellent tool for educators. More ... | |
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MESSAGE OF THE TIBETANS DVD by Arnaud Desjardins #METIDV - $ 39.95 Arnaud Desjardins met His Holiness the Dalai Lama for the first time in 1963, and gained his support to shoot these films. All the most revered masters agreed to participate in the making of these films: The Dalai Lama in person, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Dudjom Rinpoche, H.H. the XVIth Gyalwa Karmapa, Dugpa Tupse Rinpoche, the yogis Lopon Sonam Zangpo and Abo Rinpoche, Tai Situ Rinpoche... and many other eminent masters. More ... | |
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MOUNT KAILASH: Return to Tibet by Tom Vendetti 140-min. DVD #MOKARE - $ 24.95 This beautiful film documents Grammy Award-winning musican Paul Horn as he makes a return pilgrimage to Mt. Kailash, considered the spiritual center of the universe. Also includes the original Journey Inside Tibet, hosted by Kris Kristofferson, and 5 bonus features. Winner of many film awards. More ... | |
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MYSTIC TIBET: An Outer, Inner and Secret Pilgrimage DVD Film by Christina Lundberg 90-min. DVD. #MYTIDV - $ 24.95 Mystic Tibet follows fifty pilgrims as they travel to the roof of the world for the spiritual adventure of a lifetime. In 2002, ordinary people from around the globe were drawn to this mystical land of enlightenment. Guided by renowned Tibetan master Lama Zopa Rinpoche, this was no common tourist trek, but a rare and powerful experience in which the invisible world of great yogis and saints was magically revealed. More ... | |
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ON THE ROAD HOME: A Spiritual Journey Guided by Remarkable Women by Christina Lundberg 75-min. DVD #ONRODV - $ 30.00 A beautifully filmed accounting of a young woman's search for the feminine face of the Divine. Her heart path, Tibetan Buddhism, is enriched by contact with Native American, Hindu, and Christian wise women. We follow her through the world as she tracks down the reputed incarnation of Yeshe Tsogyal, and talks about the feminine path withTsultrim Allione, Robina Courtin, Khandro Rinpoche, China Galland and many other fascinating spiritual women. Shown at many film festivals. More ... | |
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THE SACRED SITES OF THE DALAI LAMAS: A Pilgrimage to the Oracle Lake DVD by Michael Wiese, narrated by Steve Dancz 76-min. DVD plus 40-min. of extra features. #DVSASI - $ 24.95 This compelling, remarkable film really makes you feel like you're there--exploring caves where Buddhist masters achieved enlightenment, meditating in ancient monasteries where early Dalai Lamas and other masters meditated, and looking in the Oracle Lake, high in the mountains, where every Dalai Lama has had prophetic visions. Guides Glenn Mullin (author of over 25 books) and Bhutanese monk Khenpo Tashi make great guides for this journey. More ... | |
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THE SALTMEN OF TIBET a film by Ulrike Koch DVD. #SATIDV - $ 29.95 Shot under extreme conditions in one of the world's most remote locations, The Saltmen of Tibet is a work of sublime beauty and epic scale. Documenting the ancient traditions and day-to-day rituals of a Tibetan nomadic community, director Ulrike Koch transports us into a realm of endless mystery, untainted by the tides of foreign invasion or encroaching modernity. Step by step we follow the three-month pilgrimage to the holy salt lakes of the Changtang region. Observing age-old taboos and steadfast homage to the deities of nature, four men meticulously plan their yak caravan to fetch "the tears of Tara," the precious salt from the holy lakes of northern Tibet. Journeying to the rooftop of the world, the film overwhelms us with its evocation of the saltmen's Herculean endurance and spirit. The result is a breathtaking collage of image and sound, a majestic tribute to the purity of a landscape, people and tradition facing extinction. More ... | |
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SANDS OF COMPASSION: Creating the Demchok Mandala by Bardor Tulku Rinpoche & Karma Thegsum Choling 27 min. DVD. #SACODV - $ 15.95 This DVD is a visual record of the creation of the Demchok Mandala (Chakrasamvara), one of the most rarely seen and sacred of Tibetan sand paintings. Created by the Ven. Bardor Tulku Rinpoche and lamas of the Karma Kagyu tradition, this presentation offers a rare look at the making of the mandala over five days, and it contains short teachings by Venerable Bardor Tulku Rinpoche on the truth of impermanence and the importance of developing the compassionate wisdom heart of Buddha. | |
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SHORT CUT TO NIRVANA by Maurizio Benazzo & Nick Day 85-min. DVD #SHCUNI - $ 29.95 We enjoyed Shortcut to Nirvana movie enough to include it in our catalog, even though it focuses on a mostly Hindu gathering of 70 million spiritual pilgrims (though the Dalai Lama is featured). This is a fun, spunky documentary with unforgettable images (the yogi who lifts a man with his penis. Really.) More ... | |