Why Has Bodhi-Dharma Left for the East
by Yong-Kyun Bae
List Price:
Our Price: $10.85
You Save: $19.14 (64%)
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Buy Used: from $9.99 (click here)
Category: DVD
See more DVD details
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
DVD details
Actor: Hae-Jin Huang, Sin Won-Sop, Su-Myong Ko, Yi Pan-YongDirector: Yong-Kyun Bae
DVD: 2 Layers, Region Code 1
Audio: Korean (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono; English (Subtitled)
Format: Color, DVD-Video, Letterboxed, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: Letterbox, 1.75:1
Running Time: 137 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2002-02-26
Audience Rating: Unrated
Studio: Image Entertainment
DVD Reviews of Why Has Bodhi-Dharma Left for the East
DVD Review: Philosophy you get from a fortune cookie and post card images
Summary: 1 Stars
Thank you master for hitting me with a stick of boredom.
I stopped watching this mess midway through. There is nothing here to keep my attention either with a message or an image. All I asked for was a reason, one silly reason to keep watching, but it can't even come up with one. If you want to be bored, by all means buy or rent this movie, and then tell all your friends the title so you can come off as interesting.
Instead of watching this movie-like object, go read The Outsider by Colin Wilson and thank me for both saving you from this and leading you to something.
DVD Review: Not My Cup of Green Tea...
Summary: 2 Stars
I am not a novice to zen, buddhism, enlightenment, in both life experiences, books and films. I find it fascinating as well comforting. I respect it and in many ways I try to practice it. I watched this film twice giving it my full attention. I truly enjoyed the scenery and the overall artistic style was very nice. I did watch it on a VHS tape so it was a bit grainy but that may have added to the charm. The problem I have with this film is that it goes against my understanding/concept of Buddhism and Zen teachings. The entire film was a depressing ordeal from beginning to end. I understand the intent and lessons of the film but I would rather see a Zen Master who treated his family with kindness and affection. A boy lost in the woods and no one cares. A group of people sitting around the fire in silence who do not recognize the existance of another human being. This is not a Master who I would respect or even enjoy being in his company. A dying Master who smiled on his death bed and showed compassion is what I want to see. Life and Death is a combination of emotions. There should be SOME joy in both Living and Dying. Perhaps this Master needed more training... Then again maybe it will be better for him the next time around. If the intent of this movie is to show how unhappy people can be then it is a Winner. Looking at the other reviews for this film shows that I am in the minority... Guess I can live with that (LOL).
-JMHO
DVD Review: Haunting film, stays with you long
Summary: 5 Stars
I stumbled upon this movie at a movie store in Seoul. My interest in Buddhism was growing at the time, so I watched the film at home after borrowing the video. Of course, being a beginner in Buddhism, I was lost on many of the movie's meanings and messages, but after a few more viewings after I bought the DVD and reading other critiques of the film, I got a better understanding.
To those who disliked or didn't care for this movie, I'd like to quote film critic Roger Ebert, in that you should rate a movie for what it DID rather than what YOU thought it should've done. Korean Buddhism has helped Koreans weather their turbulent and sad history, and well, I'm sorry if you were disappointed that it wasn't a "yipee, I'm so happy" type of feel-good film.
At any rate, this film should be required viewing for anyone into Buddhism (and for some who are not). I wish the director, a professor at the Buddhist university Dongguk in Seoul, made more movies.
DVD Review: It approaches the quality of a sutra
Summary: 5 Stars
The disaffected viewer in Canada, I wish him a greater awareness of what's in front of his face.
This film approaches the level of a sutra. Be not distracted.
DVD Review: Top One
Summary: 5 Stars
UPDATE: This is still my favorite DVD, however, even though I already had this one, I purchased the newer, updated release. I am glad I made this second purchase -- better sound, better visual rendering, and more scenes not found in this version. Nevertheless, here is my former review that applies to both releases:
"I was thinking (first mistake!) of saying, "Top Five." Then I realized that this is more than even "Top Three (or Two)" of all the movies I have in my collection, or have ever viewed, for that matter. The real perplexity is that I don't know why, exactly, except for the fact that it is the only movie that I think about and view more than any other DVD that I have. And so that is why it stands foremost (Doctor Zhivago has now been relegated to the silver podium, at least for these reasons) above of all the other DVD's in my assorted collection. True, as some have commented here, it is not astutely a portrayal of Zen Buddhism as it might be explicated in the truest sense of its dogmas. How would you depict and encapsulate the essence of Zen through the modality of a visual, i.e., movie experience anyway? Pretty tall order, even for The Buddha, I would imagine. This movie for me, however, is a catalyst for SOME things that are related to Zen Buddhism. But overall it leaves that stage and affords me with a visual, meditative experience, be it akin to Zen Buddhism or something other (even Christianity -- for me). Needless to say, this is not a film for everyone; it is not of the "Saturday Night at the Movies" genre; it just touches me in a deep, esoteric psychological and spiritual way. Perhaps this movie is something as to what Paul Valery stated: "To see is to forget the name of the thing one sees."
Description of Why Has Bodhi-Dharma Left for the East
Bae Yong-kyun's Zen masterpiece. Acclaimed by critics and audiences throughout the world, "Why Has Bodhi-Dharma Left for the East?" is simply one of the most ravishing films ever made. In a remote monastery high up in the mountains, an old master, a young monk and an orphaned boy devote themselves to their Buddhist teachings. As the master faces death, he becomes more desperate to lead his disciples away from the outside world and point them toward their quest for enlightenment. This magnificent film, astonishingly rich in its formal beauty and affirmation of life, is not only a cinematic gem but a transcendent evocation of the mystery and humanity of Zen Buddhism. Selected by three international film critics as "One of the Ten Best Films of All Time" in the 1993 Sight & Sound Critics Poll.General DVDs
DVD Video
- Action & Adventure
- African American Cinema
- Animation
- Anime & Manga
- Art House & International
- Classics
- Comedy
- Cult Movies
- Documentary
- Drama
- Educational
- Fitness & Yoga
- Gay & Lesbian
- Horror
- Kids & Family
- Military & War
- Music Video & Concerts
- Musicals & Performing Arts
- Mystery & Suspense
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Special Interests
- Sports
- Television
- Westerns
Bestsellers in General DVDs
Life Is BeautifulRelease date: 1999-11-09; DVD
Best price: $9.28
Price in other shops:
I've Loved You So LongSony; Release date: 2009-03-03; DVD
Best price: $15.01
Price in other shops:
AmelieTAUTOU,AUDREY; Release date: 2002-07-16; DVD
Best price: $11.17
Price in other shops:
Pan's LabyrinthWarner Brothers; Release date: 2007-05-15; DVD
Best price: $2.37
Price in other shops:
Chocolat (Miramax Collector's Series)BINOCHE,JULIETTE; Release date: 2001-08-07; DVD
Best price: $4.74
Price in other shops:
MartyrsRelease date: 2009-04-28; DVD
Best price: $13.95
Price in other shops:
Tell No OneMPI; Release date: 2009-03-31; DVD
Best price: $12.50
Price in other shops:
The Ultimate GiftUltimate; Release date: 2007-08-21; DVD
Best price: $6.98
Price in other shops:
Let The Right One InRelease date: 2009-03-10; DVD
Best price: $16.00
Price in other shops:
Slumdog MillionaireTwentieth Century Fox; Release date: 2009-03-31; DVD
Best price: $10.40
Price in other shops:
Similar DVDs, VHS Video, Audio CDs
The Lion's RoarRelease date: 2006-09-19; DVD
Best price: $19.44
Price in other shops:
Into Great Silence (Two-Disc Set)Release date: 2007-10-23; DVD
Best price: $17.26
Price in other shops:
Little BuddhaRelease date: 1999-08-03; DVD
Best price: $4.50
Price in other shops:
Travellers & MagiciansRelease date: 2005-10-25; DVD
Best price: $16.66
Price in other shops:
MilarepaRelease date: 2008-11-04; DVD
Best price: $13.69
Price in other shops:
Samsara (Original Tibetan with English Subtitles)Published: 2001; DVD
Best price: $22.98
Zen Buddhism: In Search of SelfVictor; Release date: 2007-03-06; DVD
Best price: $14.95
Price in other shops:
KundunYESHI,TENZIN; Release date: 1998-10-14; DVD
Best price: $4.50
Price in other shops:
Amongst White CloudsRelease date: 2007-06-26; DVD
Best price: $18.79
Price in other shops:
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and SpringSony; Release date: 2004-09-07; DVD
Best price: $6.91
Price in other shops: