Submitted by Judith-Ann Robertson on 26 February 2008 - 5:15pm.
All three of us (Judith-Ann, Brian, Senja - not pictured) "liked" The Shomer the most in so far as having something of spiritual significance to say.
Brian:?This was a gentle reality check on death; from a Buddhist perspective it is a reaffirmation of impermanence. It gives an honest interpretation of the transition of life to death and shows how death is indeed the great leveller.
The question to viewers would be how best should bodily remains be treated?
Senja:?This movie contained lots of wisdom on death and the movie of life. It offered a view of ritual and traditional, with a focus on the mind. I liked that it related to death in a down to earth simple way while keeping the spiritual practice alive. It was pleasant and educational and gave a glimpse of a greater/broader view of reality that embraces death.
Judith-Ann: Loving kindness is a primary tenet in Buddhism and I found it both interesting and reaffirming that this and respect for the individual are the two underlying aspects to the rituals and practices undertaken within Judaism. Though the rituals are a bit different, the approach to death and life in Judaism and Buddhism are similar in that life is transitional, death is real, and loving kindness is an important part of both. I enjoyed that the Rabbi had such a no-nonsense sense of both respect for the dead and his work, yet maintained a gentle sense of humour about both.
Audience question: How do the rituals surrounding death affect you personally?
Brian S. Ashen President, Federation of Australian Buddhist Councils
Senja Antilla Professional Organizer and?Buddhist Practitioner, Hawaii
Three thumbs up for The Shomer
All three of us (Judith-Ann, Brian, Senja - not pictured) "liked" The Shomer the most in so far as having something of spiritual significance to say.
Brian:?This was a gentle reality check on death; from a Buddhist perspective it is a reaffirmation of impermanence. It gives an honest interpretation of the transition of life to death and shows how death is indeed the great leveller.
The question to viewers would be how best should bodily remains be treated?
Senja:?This movie contained lots of wisdom on death and the movie of life. It offered a view of ritual and traditional, with a focus on the mind. I liked that it related to death in a down to earth simple way while keeping the spiritual practice alive. It was pleasant and educational and gave a glimpse of a greater/broader view of reality that embraces death.
Judith-Ann: Loving kindness is a primary tenet in Buddhism and I found it both interesting and reaffirming that this and respect for the individual are the two underlying aspects to the rituals and practices undertaken within Judaism. Though the rituals are a bit different, the approach to death and life in Judaism and Buddhism are similar in that life is transitional, death is real, and loving kindness is an important part of both. I enjoyed that the Rabbi had such a no-nonsense sense of both respect for the dead and his work, yet maintained a gentle sense of humour about both.
Audience question: How do the rituals surrounding death affect you personally?
Brian S. Ashen
President, Federation of Australian Buddhist Councils
Senja Antilla
Professional Organizer and?Buddhist Practitioner, Hawaii