Product Details

• Actors: Karmapa XVI, Chogyam Trungpa, Dalai Lama, Khyentse Norbu, Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche
• Directors: Gregg Eller
• Format: HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Tendrel Films
• DVD Release Date: October 19, 2009
• Run Time: 97 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000KLRPP2
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #82,246 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For Anyone Interested in Tibetan Buddhism (Especially Kagyu) or the History of Buddhism in America, January 14, 2010

By 

L. Erickson "Mommy Mystic" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Recalling a Buddha: Memories of the Sixteenth Karmapa (DVD)

Since most of the prior reviews assume some knowledge of this film's topic, I thought I'd provide some background in my own review, for those that need it (if you don't, skip to the end for my bottom line assessment.)

This is a documentary film about the Sixteenth Karmapa, Rangjung Rigpei Dorje, within the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. 'Karmapa' is the title for the head of the Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism, one of four main schools. The sixteenth Karmapa lived from 1924 to 1981, and is universally recognized amongst Tibetan Buddhists, and particularly practitioners within the Kagyu school, as one of the most important and influential teachers of the modern age. He played an extraordinary role in the development of Tibetan Buddhism within the West, by traveling to the U.S. at the request of his student, Chogyam Trungpa, and conducting the sacred 'Black Crown' or 'Vajra Crown' ceremony for thousands of people.

In Recalling a Buddha, interviews with those who studied with or knew the Karmapa are entwined with historical commentary, photography, and documentary footage of him to create a complete history of his life and influence on the West. Many of those interviewed are now well-known within Tibetan Buddhism, such as Tenzin Palmo, one of the first western women to be ordained as a Tibetan Buddhist nun, and subject of the popular book by Vickie Mackenzie, Cave in the Snow: Tenzin Palmo's Quest for Enlightenment. The interviews cover both individuals' personal reactions to the Karmapa upon interacting with him, and events from his life history, including his exodus from Tibet in 1959.

The most fascinating part of the documentary for me was the footage of the Black Crown ceremony, performed by the sixteenth Karmapa. The Black Crown is a sacred hat and symbol of the Kagyu lineage. According to legend, in a prior lifetime the Karmapa attained one of the highest levels of bodhisattva-hood, and 100,000 dakinis created a crown from the hair on their heads and gave it to him as a gift. On the historical level, the crown is said to be a gift from a Chinese Emporer, who was able to see the field of enlightenment and power residing above the Karmapa's head, and had a physical replica of what he saw created.

The Black Crown ceremony is an empowerment and blessing ceremony consisting of prayer and chanting. The Karmapa places the hat on his head while reciting a mantra and meditating on the Buddha of Compassion, Chenrezig. It is said that anyone witnessing the ceremony has the opportunity to attain the first level of bodhisattvahood within three lifetimes. The sixteenth Karmapa performed this ceremony several times in the United States during his visits for thousands of people, and it is considered to have been a powerful transmission of the dharma in the West. Invaluable footage of one of these occasions is included.

Overall, this film will probably be of most interest to those already somewhat familiar with Tibetan Buddhism, and particularly those interested in the Kagyu lineage. Although anyone interested in the history of Buddhism in America might also want to check it out, because the sixteenth Karmapa (and many of his students) were and are a major influence in the U.S. For those populations, this is a five-star film. But it is not an introduction to Buddhism or anything of that nature, so as long as you know what you're getting, you will appreciate this very much (and may watch that Black Crown ceremony over and over!)

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This one is for the library to view over and over again, October 26, 2009

By 

T. Narauskas "Naras" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Recalling a Buddha: Memories of the Sixteenth Karmapa (DVD)

I had some similar thoughts (as some of the older commentators here) after watching the original version that came out a few years ago. This new release however is like day and night from the original one. Not only it has some incredible and never seen footage, the story flows very well. I truly enjoyed watching this movie and will watch it again many times in the future for inspiration and to feel just a bit closer to this magnificent being that he was.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A precious documentary, December 16, 2009

By 

Pascale - See all my reviews

This review is from: Recalling a Buddha: Memories of the Sixteenth Karmapa (DVD)

This is a wonderful documentary that gives us the rare opportunity to see and hear not only the XVI Karmapa but also many great Tibetan masters. Thank you.