Buddhism Goes to the Movies: Introduction to Buddhist Thought and Practice explains the basics of Buddhist philosophy and practice through a number of dramatic films from around the world. This book introduces readers in a dynamic way to the major traditions of Buddhism: the Theravada, and various interrelated Mahayana divisions including Zen, Pure Land and Tantric Buddhism. Students can use Ronald Green’s book to gain insights into classic Buddhist themes, including Buddhist awakening, the importance of the theory of dependent origination, the notion of no-self, and Buddhist ideas about life, death and why we are here. Contemporary developments are also explored, including the Socially Engaged Buddhism demonstrated by such figures as the Dalai Lama, Thich Nhat Hanh, Aung San Suu Kyi, and other Buddhist activists. Finally, comparisons between filmic expressions of Buddhism and more traditional artistic expressions of Buddhism - such as mandala drawings - are also drawn.
Buddhism Goes to the Movies: Introduction to Buddhist Thought and Practice, Ronald Green, Routledge Curzon, Paperback, 2013, 166 Pages, $49.95
David R. Loys previous books include the acclaimed Money, Sex, War, Karma; The Great Awakening: A Buddhist Social Theory; and The Dharma of Dragons and Daemons,
a finalist for the 2006 Mythopoeic Scholarship Award. He was the Besl
Professor of Ethics/Religion and Society at Cincinnatis Xavier
University.
Chapter 1. Early Representations of Buddhism in Films: Broken Blossoms and Lost Horizon
Chapter 2. The Four Noble Truths and Fight Club
Chapter 3. Buddhist Awakening and Waking Life
Chapter 4. Dependant Origination and I Heart Huckabees
Chapter 5. Korean Seon Buddhism and Why Has Bodhi-Dharma Left for the East?
Chapter 6. Theravada Buddhism, Socially Engaged Buddhism and The Burmese Harp
Chapter 7. Tibetan Buddhism and The Cup
Chapter 8. Japanese Shin Buddhism and Departures
Chapter 9. The Buddhist Order of Nuns and Windhorse
Chapter 10. Thai Buddhism in Horror Films: Nang Nak and Uncle Boonmee Who Can Recall His Past Lives
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