Available online
Description
The film is set in a Buddhist forest monastery in North Eastern Thailand. The abbot, the Venerable Achaan Cha, is one of the most revered meditation teachers in the 'Therevada' tradition. He bases ...the life style of the monastery on the original forest tradition of the Buddha's earliest disciples: the 'middle path' of simplicity, discipline, and the practice of meditation. The monks possess only the barest minimum, for superfluity is considered a hindrance to an aware and mindful life. The 227 rules which they have to obey are seen not as ends in themselves but as stepping stones towards mental resolve and concentration. The film portrays the daily life of the monks and includes interviews with the abbot; a young monk from England; and a man who has recently given up his wife, 6 children and all worldly possessions to be ordained. These interviews explore the meaning and ultimate goal of Buddhist practice. The relationship between the monks and the lay community is also explored. A former owner of a string of bars and night clubs explains why, in response to Achaan Cha's teaching he has given all this up in search of a more moral livelihood. This is the first time the abbot has permitted film cameras in the monastery: and this is believed to be a unique portrait of a forest monastery in the "Theravada" tradition.
The film is set in a Buddhist forest monastery in North Eastern Thailand. The abbot, the Venerable Achaan Cha, is one of the most revered meditation teachers in the 'Therevada' tradition. He bases ...the life style of the monastery on the original forest tradition of the Buddha's earliest disciples: the 'middle path' of simplicity, discipline, and the practice of meditation. The monks possess only the barest minimum, for superfluity is considered a hindrance to an aware and mindful life. The 227 rules which they have to obey are seen not as ends in themselves but as stepping stones towards mental resolve and concentration. The film portrays the daily life of the monks and includes interviews with the abbot; a young monk from England; and a man who has recently given up his wife, 6 children and all worldly possessions to be ordained. These interviews explore the meaning and ultimate goal of Buddhist practice. The relationship between the monks and the lay community is also explored. A former owner of a string of bars and night clubs explains why, in response to Achaan Cha's teaching he has given all this up in search of a more moral livelihood. This is the first time the abbot has permitted film cameras in the monastery: and this is believed to be a unique portrait of a forest monastery in the "Theravada" tradition.
| Module code and title: | AD208, Man's religious quest |
|---|---|
| Item code: | AD208; 14 |
| First transmission date: | 06-05-1978 |
| Published: | 1978 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:00 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | David Thompson |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Buddhist religion |
| Footage description: | The programme opens with shots of a group of monks walking at dawn to receive food from local villagers. Over this Thompson explains why the monks beg in this way. Film of the monks at the monastery of Wat Nong Ba Pong eating their meal, over which Thompson briefly sketches the monks' daily routine. In interview the Abbot describes the benefits of monastic life. Shots of monks meditating and doing manual tasks. Over this the Abbot explains why the monks meditate and live very simply. Shots of a monk at work in the forest and then meditating. The Abbot explains why a monks' life is a hard one. Interview with a 14-year old novice. Film of a monk dyeing cloth. He explains why he left his family to become a monk. Thompson explains why the monks' heads are shaved, over shots of this. An Englishman who has joined the monastery explains the advantages of a simple lifestyle. Thompson describes the penances monks can receive over shots of them hearing one anothers' confession. Film of the ritual recitation of the 227 monastic rules in the temple. The English monk explains the usefulness of the rules in interview. Shots of the laity meeting the Abbot. Thompson describes the influence exercised by the monastery over the lay community. Case histories of individual laymen are given. One of them express his debt to the monastery in interview. Film of a religious service attended by both monks and laity. The Abbot explains the displaying of human skeletons at this service. Shots of monks and laity meditating in the temple. The Abbot explains the need to see beyond the self. A layman and the English monk are interviewed about the peace of mind they have acquired from contact with the monastery. In interview the Abbot explains that Nirvana cannot be conciously sought after. Shots of a group of monks walking along a path; shot of monks meditating. Over this Thompson comments or the close relationship between the monks and the laity. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/72814 |
| Production number: | 00525_3431 |
| Videofinder number: | 3605 |
| Available to public: | no |
