:
Robert A.F. Thurman,
Robert A.F. Thurman
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: Not Rated
: Mystic Fire Video
: Religion
: 240 min.
: English
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The leading American expert on the history and interpretation of Tibetan Buddhism, Robert A.F. Thurman provides a unique look into the history of this insulated country and culture in this three-part series. In part one, The Ancient Kings and the Arrival of the Dharma, Thurman traces the history of the unification of Tibet into a nation from a collection of separate clans. Following this consolidation was a period of importing Buddhist-centered civilization that dominated the East at that time. Thurman's seemingly inexhaustible scholarship and flair for storytelling make this history come alive. In the second volume, The Later Spread of the Dharma: Saints, Sages, and Adepts, Thurman chronicles the Tibetan culture's continued devotion to collecting and interpreting the Dharma from India, citing important heroes such as Milarepa and Tsong Khapa. In the third tape, The Dharma State: Tibetan Lamas, Modernity and the 21st Century, the story continues detailing the changes that took place under the 5th Dalai Lama, including the dismantling of the country's military. Thurman's history ends with the disastrous Chinese invasion and occupation of Tibet in the 1950s. ~ Sean Hurley, All Movie Guide
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| Surprisingly rich overview of Tibetan Buddhist tradition
by bsuppe
February 26, 2007 - 9:07 PM PST
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1 out of 1 members found this review helpful
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These lectures started slow but became more and more engaging as they progressed. In order to understand where Robert Thurman is going with his rendition of Tibetan history, one needs to understand a lot of context from 1,000 years of Asian and South Asian cultural, religious, and political history.
Some (including myself) may be put off by his frequent digressions from what one thinks of as the point of the DVD - Tibetan history. Some of the digressions are true digressions, but it's not until the end of the series that one may realize that many of his seemingly unrelated points actually serve as pieces in a broad understanding of what is different about Tibetan monastic / political society, and how it is quite unique from Indian, East Asian, or European models at a very fundamental level.
To really enjoy this, you need to get to the end. I was tempted to give up during the first 30 min, but am really glad I didn't. Is well worth watching in full. |
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GreenCine Member Rating
(Average 6.58)
12 Votes
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