Submitted by Freeman Trebilcock on 5 September 2008 - 1:12pm.
[Buddhists] I've always been a fan of documentary, of real experiences, and real people. This short film focuses on the lives of a not so normal English family; a family of Buddhists in a predominantly Christian society. Most interesting is the story of how they live their lives, and the balance which must be struck between the challenges of religious practice, and the demands of a modern world. As a minority religion in England, it shows how the lifestyles and the values of Buddhism sometimes compliment (and sometimes break away from) those in Western society.
Most engaging was the way in which the film looked at common cultural experiences, such as Christmas, from this unique perspective. Although Christmas does not hold any spiritual significance for them, it is still an opportunity for this family to come together to celebrate being together and giving gifts – indeed to embrace the practices of Christianity, even though their beliefs are different. It is the way that this film reveals a way to embrace aspects of Western society from a Buddhist perspective that is perhaps most interesting. It shows us a kind of progressive approach to living ones own spirituality actively. The family also emphasises a certain openness towards spirituality as something which should be left to individuals to choose, and live in their own way, just as they are.
For myself as a Buddhist and a Westerner I found it particularly interesting, as this film highlights the kind of experiences I have witnessed with Buddhism in Australia. It managed to convey personal stories of everyday people in a way which was honest and engaging, and which resonated with my own experiences.
Real people
[Buddhists] I've always been a fan of documentary, of real experiences, and real people. This short film focuses on the lives of a not so normal English family; a family of Buddhists in a predominantly Christian society. Most interesting is the story of how they live their lives, and the balance which must be struck between the challenges of religious practice, and the demands of a modern world. As a minority religion in England, it shows how the lifestyles and the values of Buddhism sometimes compliment (and sometimes break away from) those in Western society.
Most engaging was the way in which the film looked at common cultural experiences, such as Christmas, from this unique perspective. Although Christmas does not hold any spiritual significance for them, it is still an opportunity for this family to come together to celebrate being together and giving gifts – indeed to embrace the practices of Christianity, even though their beliefs are different. It is the way that this film reveals a way to embrace aspects of Western society from a Buddhist perspective that is perhaps most interesting. It shows us a kind of progressive approach to living ones own spirituality actively. The family also emphasises a certain openness towards spirituality as something which should be left to individuals to choose, and live in their own way, just as they are.
For myself as a Buddhist and a Westerner I found it particularly interesting, as this film highlights the kind of experiences I have witnessed with Buddhism in Australia. It managed to convey personal stories of everyday people in a way which was honest and engaging, and which resonated with my own experiences.