by Pauline Adamek
Worth: $14.00
FilmInk rates movies out of $20 — the score indicates the amount we believe a ticket to the movie to be worth
Cast:
His Holiness the 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, Ole Nydahl, Hannah Nydahl
Intro:
… an evident passion for bringing historical spiritual narratives to contemporary audiences.
A magnetic personality. An explosion of activity. A combination of a high diplomat imbued with a rock ’n’ roll energy. Produced and directed by Marta György-Kessler, Meeting the Buddha is an award-winning and internationally screened documentary that explores the life and legacy of His Holiness the 16th Karmapa Rangjung Rigpe Dorje, who was the revered spiritual leader of the Karma Kagyu’s unbroken lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. Officially recognised and enthroned in 1940, at the age of 16, he held that position until his death in 1981.
An explanatory history lesson at the top of this serious and lengthy feature provides essential context. We learn that Tibetan followers of Siddhartha Gautama’s teachings developed Buddhism into four major branches. One of these is the Kagyu School that dates back to the 11th century. This school is known for its emphasis on meditation practice, oral transmission, and the recognition of successive Karmapas as its spiritual heads.
A true visionary who transformed his religion, the film’s storyline traces how Rangjung Rigpe Dorje helped to bring Tibetan Buddhist teachings into contemporary Western life. During the 1970s, he established Dharma centers in Europe and North America, and thus was instrumental in planting the roots of Tibetan Buddhism throughout the globe.
A key focus is on Ole Nydahl, a young Danish hippie whose life was transformed by meeting the Karmapa in Nepal in 1969, and who, with his wife Hannah Nydahl, helped establish hundreds of meditation centers around the world. Of interest is the unique and heartfelt connection between the subject’s teachings and our fair land. Beginning in the early 1990s, the Nydahls forged a deep bond with the Australian community after being invited to share Buddhist teachings here. Over the years, they repeatedly returned to Oz to teach, mentor, and connect with people from all walks of life. Their visits cultivated a profound appreciation for our country’s relaxed, open, and welcoming spirit, making Australia not just a stop on their journey, but an enduring home for their spiritual outreach.
“Buddhism is not something outside. Buddhism is the way you eat, you drink, you make love—you do everything,” we are told.
György-Kessler’s shares inspiring life stories of Buddhist masters. Her work is distinguished by its combination of rare archival footage, animation, and intimate interviews, as well as an evident passion for bringing historical spiritual narratives to contemporary audiences. She uses elegantly drawn animation sequences to bring historical photos and archival materials to life, to illuminate, for example, the written predictions and teachings of the 15th Karmapa, who foretold his successor.
Employing a dynamic style of visual storytelling, she adds motion to still images (Ken Burns–style) such as old photographs and documents, giving the impression that the historical snapshots are breathing, moving, and somehow telling their own vivid story.
Created by an international team from Hungary, the UK, Germany, Denmark, and Australia, and made in collaboration with venerable Tibetan lamas, Meeting the Buddha is produced by The Beautiful Truth, a film production company dedicated to documentaries that explore purpose, impact and humanity.
- Perth | 26 February, 6:30pm – Event Cinemas, Innaloo
- Melbourne | 3 March, 6:00pm – Eclipse Cinema, Collingwood
- Albury | 4 March, 6:00pm – Regent Cinemas
- Canberra | 4 March, 6:30pm – Palace Electric Cinema
- Sydney | 7 March, 1:00pm – Palace Moore Park
- Newcastle | 9 March, 6:30pm – Event Cinemas Kotara
- Byron Bay | 16 March, 6:30pm – Palace Byron Bay
For tickets and screening details, visit: https://www.meetingthebuddha.com
