The life story of the Sixteenth Karmapa is told by those close to him in Tibet, the generation of teachers that he trained and many others that he touched. This feature-length film looks closely at enlightened qualities and examines them in the context of historical events such as the fall of Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism's migration to the West. How Karmapa lived and how he died gives us the example of an awakened being: a person with a noble heart. The DVD includes two hours of Extras material:1. Interview with a Buddha: Karmapa XVI, Jamgon Kongtrul and Karmapa's retunie appeared on a half hour talk show. The entire program is the extra.2. The Ceremony of the Vajra Crown: In 1980, a director who would later be nominated for an Oscar filmed the Black Crown ceremony in beautiful 16mm color.3. The Line of Karmapas: Thrangu Rinpoche, senior teacher of the Karma Kagyu lineage, eminent scholar Gene Smith, and Beru Khyentse Rinpoche share thoughts on the previous 15 incarnations of Karmapas.4. Preserving the Dharma Texts: H.E. Shamar Rinpoche and Gene Smith recount the partnership between the Sixteenth Karmapa and the U.S. Library of Congress to reprint sacred texts brought out of Tibet and made available to the newly forming monasteries in Asia.5. Rumtek: various "alumni" of Rumtek monastery, seat of the Karmapas share memories of living in a high concentration of realized masters.6. Connecting to Karmapa: Westerners who entered the mandala of the Karmapa share how they came to relate to the Sixteenth Karmapa.
H**A
very moving
This is a very moving and beautifully researched film about His Holiness the Sixteenth Karmapa, especially for all those, who did not have the good fortune to meet Him. It is also very timely, since His Holiness the Seventeenth Karmapa Orgyen Trinley Dorje has visited the USA for the first time in 2009 and is about to visit Europe in June 2010.
A**C
A review of a well made film honoring the legacy of a giant of modern day Buddhism
To start off, I will write by saying that the film and filmmaker did a great service to the memory and legacy of a great Tibetan teacher, His Holiness the 16th Gyalwang Karmapa. Having been a student-participant in the great tradition of the Karma Kagyu School of Buddhism, it was a joy and an honor to be in the presence of great memories of this giant of modern day Buddhist teachings.My only small complaint was not with the film nor the filmmaker but the copy I received, which I believe was a copy of a copy--- a bootleg in my estimation. It omitted the "extra footage" which was the reason why I purchased my copy to begin with. I didn't know it when I purchased, but found out only when I went looking for it on the DVD. I did confer with the filmmaker directly and he promised to correct the problem.
G**H
Great man, poor documentary
This documentary does not do the 16th Karmapa justice, and there is very little footage of the 16th Karmapa. The overall quality of the documentary is fairly poor. There are some good interviews with those who were with the 16th Karmapa, but also some that really don't help (and maybe even hurt) the image of the 16th Karmapa (as I understand it). Looking forward to future films that better represent a living buddha.
T**L
Audio problems
I was very anxious to view this DVD, having had the great fortune to take refuge with His Holiness, the Sixteenth Karmapa. However, my viewing was marred by problems with the audio on the DVD: in several places, there was no sound during voice-overs and interviews. I am ordering a replacement, but I am wondering if anyone else experienced this problem or if it was simply a problem with the copy I purchased.
T**K
this is beyond words
some of the footage on this video is priceless. my only Quibble is that it includes no footage of Lama Ole Nydahl. He has been the most active in spreading the Karma Kagyu teachings in Western countries. in previews there promised to be footage of him but none showed up in the final version.
K**S
I participated in the Black Crown Ceremony at an event ...
I participated in the Black Crown Ceremony at an event hosted by Werner Erhard in Feb. 1977 and have been wanting to find information on HH. What a blessing to be reacquainted with this magnificent being.
D**.
Those interested in the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism and reincarnation ...
Those interested in the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism and reincarnation will learn a lot from this documentary, whether advanced or beginning students.
T**T
to have a camcorder is not enough
This documentary proves that to have a camcorder, good will and a good subject is not enough to make an interesting movie. Poor menu, boring montage, endless slide show and dull narration. Only for devoted.
Trustpilot
2 months ago
1 month ago