Jews and Buddhism (documentary)

Infobox Film
name = Jews and Buddhism


image_size = 150px
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director = Bill Chayes and Isaac Solotaroff
producer =
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narrator = Sharon Stone
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cinematography =
editing =
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released = 1999
runtime = 41 min.
country = America
language = English
budget =
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imdb_id = http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0226863/

"Jews and Buddhism: Belief Amended, Faith Revealed" is an Oscar-nominated documentary narrated by Sharon Stone that compiles interviews and archival footage of prominent Jewish, Buddhist, and Jewish-Buddhist personalities—including the Dalai Lama, David Ben Gurion, Allen Ginsberg, Rabbi Allen Lew, Sylvia Boorstein, and many others—to explore the new phenomenon of American Jews who have expanded their faith by drawing from Buddhist traditions.

ummary

More than 30% of non-Asian Buddhists are Jews – and many have become leaders in the spiritual movement.

The influence of Buddhism is profoundly changing what it means to worship at synagogue. Rabbi Allen Lew explains that in his synagogue he leads his followers in meditation before prayer services four times a week. He believes that Buddhist practices can open spiritual doors to enhance Jewish tradition.

Beat poet Allen Ginsberg, who considered himself a non-theistic Jew, found solace in Eastern religion. A leader in the counterculture movement, Ginsberg explored Buddhist meditation and belief and expressed his spiritual discontent in his poetry. “Jerusalem’s hated walls, I couldn’t get over the holy side and weep where I was supposed to by history,” he wrote cynically about his trip to Israel in the poem “Angkor Wat,” continuing, “Returning home at last, years later as prophesied, is this the way I’m supposed to feel?”

In truth, Judaism and Buddhism are not complementary ideologies that always fit snugly inside one another. The film points to the fact that the ancient traditions have profound, unavoidable differences. For one thing, most Jews believe in one God, and Buddhists believe in no God.

The film shows an archival television interview of Israel’s first Prime Minister, David Ben Gurion and his old friend, the Buddhist former Prime Minister of Burma as they discuss religion. Before they begin, the Prime Minister from Burma blurts out, “How is your wife? How is Mrs. Ben Gurion?” His question is full of genuine interest and sets the tone of their debate, what seems to be the understanding that their religious differences are trumped by something more important—their human connection.

Reception

List of well-known Jewish Buddhists

* Allen Ginsberg
* Kate Hudson
* Lama Surya Das
* Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys
* Robert Downey, Jr.

References

*Citation
last =
first =
title = Jews and Buddhism
newspaper = The Jewish Channel
year =
date=
url =http://www.tjctv.com/movies/jews-and-buddhism/

*Citation
last =
first =
title = Jews and American Buddhism
newspaper = Religion and Ethics Newsweekly
year = 1998
date= February 27
url =http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week126/cover.html

*Citation
last = Yoheved Rigler
first = Sara
title = Conflicts of a Buddhist Jew
newspaper =aish.com
year =
date=
url=http://www.aish.com/spirituality/odysseys/Conflicts_of_a_Buddhist_Jew.asp

ee also

*Jewish Buddhist

Other films about American Jews:
*"They Came for Good"
*"Divine Food"
*"Echoes from a Ghost Minyan"
*""

External links

* [http://www.tjctv.com/movies/jews-and-buddhism/ The Jewish Channel's review of the film]
* [http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week126/cover.html PBS Cover Story about the film]
* [http://www.chayesproductions.com/buddhism.html Distributor's page]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9m15XqegbQc YouTube trailer for the film]
* [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3724/is_200307/ai_n9286071 You dont look Buddhist]
* [http://users.cyberone.com.au/myers/lotus.html A frank encounter between religious Jews and Tibetan Buddhists ]