Baraka

This is a very artsy movie that i feel bounces around all over the world. It shows tons of culture and amazing scenery. The only criticism i have is that it could flow between sections a bit well. It feels to me that it dives you in and builds you up for a certain area or culture and then changes. Guess we'll just wait to see the rest.

Website...

I was shocked when i read 'Buddhist teaching don't explicitly forbid slavery'. How can you be whole or selfless when you have someone serving you? Isn't that selfish? I was also suprised with 'restrictions placed on monks required them to have some form of servent'. This all seems very contradictary to me and i don't fully understand what the religion is trying to get at.

I didn't particularly like the two essays that we recently read in class. I felt that they weren't being realistic. In the United States it's hard to practice Buddhism because the US's idea of life is sucess and power, opposite of what Buddhists believe. I'm not really sure what the benefits are of becoming 'selfless', is there actually anything or is it just a feeling? Thurman didn't change my mind views of the differences of western and eastern culture differences.

Webpages Response

I read into the history of buddhism on the BBC website, and I never knew that the Buddha was an actual person who was once known as Siddhartha. He went on a spiritual journey, and eventually found enlightenment underneath a Bodhi tree. I guess i just never knew anything about Buddhism except that he was a round chubby man who was always protrayed as sitting down.

Baraka response

Apparently, Baraka is an ancient Sufi word that can be translated as "blessing." I think they're trying to capture some of the best and worse moments of humankind. Without a script or plot, they can focus on making their shots and settings more profound.

I really liked the scene with the Japanese snow monkeys in the hot springs. It made me think of meditation. The monkey looked like he had it all figured out in that warm water. It seemed almost anthropomorphic.

Buddhism Resources

Hi again,

Here are some resources I would like you to peruse through in order to gain a better understanding. I am posting the link to a BBC Buddhist homepage, and a radio program. Please click on some of the links that interest you on the homepage, and listen to the program. Post a response to what you read, heard or experienced.

Micaela

http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/buddhism/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/history/inourtime/inourtime_20020314.shtml

Baraka Response

Hi guys,

I would like to get your thoughts on the film Baraka. Your response can be fairly informal as I care most about hearing your ideas and reactions. Also please visit the link below and read through "Training the Mind." I didn't want to say anything before you read the Thurman essay, but I personally had a mildly negative reaction to his approach. The Dalai Lama has a much kinder, softer, approach and I enjoy listening to him. Some of you also expressed a distaste for the Thurman approach, even though some of his ideas were interesting. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts...

Micaela

http://www.dalailama.com/page.17.htm