Gotama the Buddha

Jan 1, 1957

1h 3m

★ 7.0

Overview

A lyrical Indian documentary tracing the life and teachings of Gautama Buddha. Directed by Rajbans Khanna and produced by Bimal Roy, the film blends narration with evocative imagery of India’s landscapes, art, and archaeological sites to reflect the Buddha’s search for wisdom and peace. Premiering in Paris, it went on to earn a Special Mention at the 1957 Cannes Film Festival, where its spiritual depth and visual poetry were widely praised.

Genres

Documentary

Production Companies

Films Division of India

Gotama the Buddha Trailers

No Trailers found.

Cast

No Cast found.

The influential life and powerful messages of Vietnamese Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh are explored in this biographical documentary. For more than 50 years, this amazing social activist has preached self-awareness and compassion for all living beings. Follow him as he travels through France and the United States—including a stop at the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington, D.C.—spreading peace by teaching mindfulness and forgiveness.

8.0

A Journey

May 29, 2017

A cinematic journey through the world. Non-verbal.

No Image Available

0.0

Immortal Stupa

Jan 1, 1961

Documentary on the Great Stupa at Sanchi, built by the Emperor Ashoka, and adorned with some of the finest examples of Buddhist art in the world.

7.0

Brilliant Moon: Glimpses of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche

Jan 1, 2010

Brilliant Moon chronicles the life of the writer, poet, and meditation master Khyentse Rinpoche, one of Tibet's most revered 20th-century Buddhist teachers. Spiritual guide to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Royal Family of Bhutan, his life and teachings were an inspiration to all who encountered him. Richard Gere and Lou Reed provide the narration for his dangerous journey out of China, the subsequent spread of his influence and the search for his reincarnation after his death.

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6.5

Fried Shoes Cooked Diamonds

Oct 1, 1979

After World War II a group of young writers, outsiders and friends who were disillusioned by the pursuit of the American dream met in New York City. Associated through mutual friendships, these cultural dissidents looked for new ways and means to express themselves. Soon their writings found an audience and the American media took notice, dubbing them the Beat Generation. Members of this group included writers Jack Kerouac, William Burroughs, Allen Ginsberg. a trinity that would ultimately influence the works of others during that era, including the "hippie" movement of the '60s. In this 55-minute video narrated by Allen Ginsberg, members of the Beat Generation (including the aforementioned Burroughs, Anne Waldman, Peter Orlovsky, Amiri Baraka, Diane Di Prima, and Timothy Leary) are reunited at Naropa University in Boulder, CO during the late 1970's to share their works and influence a new generation of young American bohemians.

6.2

The Buddha

Apr 17, 2010

This documentary for PBS by award-winning filmmaker David Grubin and narrated by Richard Gere, tells the story of the Buddha’s life, a journey especially relevant to our own bewildering times of violent change and spiritual confusion. It features the work of some of the world’s greatest artists and sculptors, who across two millennia, have depicted the Buddha’s life in art rich in beauty and complexity. Hear insights into the ancient narrative by contemporary Buddhists, including Pulitzer Prize winning poet W.S. Merwin and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Join the conversation and learn more about meditation, the history of Buddhism, and how to incorporate the Buddha’s teachings on compassion and mindfulness into daily life.

6.3

Unmistaken Child

Jun 7, 2009

In Nepal, a venerable monk, Geshe Lama Konchog, dies and one of his disciples, a youthful monk named Tenzin Zopa, searches for his master's reincarnation. The film follows his search to the Tsum Valley where he finds a young boy of the right age who uncannily responds to Konchog's possessions. Is this the reincarnation of the master? After the boy passes several tests, Tenzin takes him to meet the Dali Lama. Will the parents agree to let the boy go to the monastery, and, if so, how will the child respond? Central to the film is the relationship the child develops with Tenzin.

10.0

Les Danses de Tami

Dec 29, 1955

No overview available.

6.7

The Shift

Jan 1, 2009

From the creators of You Can Heal Your Life: The Movie comes a compelling portrait of three modern lives in need of new direction and new meaning. In his first-ever movie, Wayne Dyer explores the spiritual journey in the second half of life when we long to find the purpose that is our unique contribution to the world. The powerful shift from the ego constructs we are taught early in life by parents and society—which promote an emphasis on achievement and accumulation—are shown in contrast to a life of meaning, focused on serving and giving back. Filmed on coastal California’s spectacular Monterey Peninsula, The Shift captures every person’s mid-life longing for a more purposeful, soul-directed life.

10.0

Crossing the Bardo

Nov 23, 2014

An engaging reflection on the meaning of existence and on the theme of death in the different spiritual traditions of the East and West.

0.0

Refuge

Jan 1, 1972

A documentary about the Friends of the Western Buddhist Order in London.

0.0

Jesus & Buddha: Practicing Across Traditions

Aug 26, 2014

Three leading figures in today's Buddhist-Christian dialogue share their personal journeys in the new documentary Jesus and Buddha: Practicing Across Traditions. We learn how following the path of the Buddha has informed and deepened their understanding of who Jesus was and what he taught. Their experience and insight bring these two liberating archetypes alive in a way that can help guide us through our own confusion and struggle toward lives filled with joy and gratitude, compassion and service.

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6.0

Pink Coffins

Feb 9, 2010

In a temple in Thailand, an order of Buddhist monks are performing a ceremony for people who headed there to get re-incarnated. There, we meet Tarn, a young Thai woman who lived in the Basque Country some years ago and who is still fascinated with that region, food and culture.

0.0

Blue Kangling

Invalid Date

Tibetan Buddhist search for the meaning of death in an unforgiving Himalayan landscape and stir compassion by uncovering human truths

5.0

Weltreise mit Buddha

Jul 30, 2020

The Odd Monk is a personal journey through modern day Buddhism. German first time Filmmaker Jesco Puluj travels around the world, meeting a variety of monks and nuns to discover the essence of Buddhism.

6.4

Wheel of Time

Oct 30, 2003

Wheel of Time is Werner Herzog's photographed look at the largest Buddhist ritual in Bodh Gaya, India.

5.9

The Life of Buddha

Dec 5, 2007

Over 2,500 years ago, one man showed the world a way to enlightenment. This beautifully produced Buddhist film by the BBC meticulously reveals the fascinating story of Prince Siddhartha and the spiritual transformation that turned him into the Buddha.

0.0

Crows Are White

Apr 1, 2026

After decades of living a secret life, a filmmaker travels to a strict Japanese monastery in search of guidance but the only monk willing to help him prefers ice cream and heavy metal over meditation. CROWS ARE WHITE is an exploration of truth, faith and love, from the top of a mountain to the bottom of a sundae.

7.4

Wisdom of Happiness

Nov 5, 2024

A deeply intimate and highly cinematic documentary featuring the Dalai Lama, who, at nearly ninety year of age, offers practical advice for navigating the 21st century's challenges.

No Image Available

0.0

Buddhism

Jan 1, 1962

In this short documentary we learn the back story of the Buddha – the religion he founded and how it is manifested today. Travel through Southeast Asia to India, Burma, Sri Lanka (formerly Ceylon), Thailand, Japan, China and many other countries to discover the history and ideas behind Buddhism.

Gotama the Buddha

Overview

Genres

Production Companies

Gotama the Buddha Trailers

Cast

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