Customer Reviews

Samsara (DVD)

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**contains spoilers**
The other reviews that I have read here describe the 'feeling' of the film very well, and it is definitely something that lingers after watching. I wanted to share some of the plot, because it was a surprise to me. The description on the back of the DVD states:

"A spiritual love story set in the majestic landscape of Ladakh, in the Himalayas, one man must struggle to find spiritual enlightenment. Tashi, a brilliant young monk, has just completed three years of solitary meditation in a remote hermitage. Brought out of a deep trance, he is taken back to his ancient monastery where he slowly recovers his strength. But Tashi's return has unexpected results. Despite a life devoted to the rigors of spiritual development, he finds himself experiencing a surprising profound sexual awakening. For the first time, Tasi begins to question the spiritual values of his monastic existence."

Yes, there are some scenes of sexual intercourse, done tastefully and in keeping with the plot line of the story, but if you are expecting only a spiritual DVD, be prepared.

Also, this film is in the Tibetan language, with English subtitles. This doesn't matter, there is very little dialogue and most of the time actions themselves tell the story. The version also contains French language voiceover if you choose.

I loved being shown the typical life of a Tibetan farm family, and the traditions that have been handed down for generations. The scenery is exquisite, as it was filmed in a part of India that I understand very closely resembles Tibet.

This is a film that can be watched over and over, appreciating something new each time. I look forward to watching it many, many times in the years to come.

Samsara [literally: the ever-repeating cycle of rebirth into a life of inherent suffering] as a movie is one of the most meaningful, timeless and clearly communicated Dhamma teachings that I have ever seen gifted to the West.

We in the West [myself at the front of the line] are skillful rationalizers and reasoners who can almost always find a way to justify an escape from a disciplined life that would lead to less suffering [dukkha] overall. At one time or another, all Sangha members have attempted to talk themselves into a shortcut from The Noble Eightfold Path ! ;-)

Tashi's specious rationalisations ['...even He was allowed to enjoy a normal life up to the age of 29...', and '...how do we know that the Buddha's early sufferings {before the age of 29} are not what lead to his later enlightenment?'] are tragically familiar to many of us. In sort, Tashi unwittingly argued for a "holiday from happiness" - a "vacation of vexation".

As Tashi flings about his faulty logic, his loving and beloved Apo [his abbot / monastical instructor] never ceases tooting on that loud and shrill horn [very funny scene]. This was not disrespectful to Tashi, but dismissive of humankind's self-destructive and temporary insanity. Tashi - like virtually all young and randy teenage boys in the human race - was thinking with the wrong head! This self-imposed suffering of grasping is not limited to sexual appetite: how many boxes and presents are we sorrounded by today, two days after Christmas?

The movie Samsara will become a invaluable tool that I will utilise as often as I need to. So clear and so timeless are the monk's lessons for us lay-people.

The scope of this film is impressive, the actors are good, and the story is full of ideas--a real spiritual journey.

Such a wonderful journey. An amazing tale of desire and quest. A film about choices. A film about our existance. With this DVD I was able to watch again and again. The more you view it, you can decode the inner meanings and hidden subtle details about spirituality and Buddhist philosophy. Must for everyone to own a copy of this remarkable movie.
John Ward Toronto