Buddhism

Tucked between Nepal and Bhutan, Sikkim occupies a place of rare geographic splendor, and Buddhism is the state’s religion. Buddhism also has a prominent place in the daily life of Darjeeling, an adjoining district of West Bengal. This program presents the tenets and history of the belief system founded on the teachings of Buddha. A discussion of the Four Noble Truths, including the Eightfold Path, sheds light on the practice of Buddhism, while ancient monuments testify to the enduring nature of this venerable religion. (52 minutes)

This program offers a profile of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha and an overview of teachings found in the Tripitaka, then takes viewers to the ordination of a Thai Buddhist monk. With stops at Sarnath and Bodh Gaya along the way, the video covers the Three Jewels, the Eightfold Noble Path, and differences between the Theravada and Mahayana schools. A discussion of the historical development of the sangha and links between Buddhism and Hinduism rounds out the program. Filmed on location in Thailand, India, Canada, and Iceland. A part of the series Let’s Look at World Religions. (21 minutes)

These visually stunning documentaries are cinematic pilgrimages to legendary places in Southeast Asia and Tibet, including the spiritual wonders of Laos, Thailand, Burma, Bali, Cambodia, Java, and central Tibet. Journey into the living traditions and lost civilizations of this vibrant part of the world and explore the universal ideals of wisdom, compassion, and inner peace at the very heart of these ancient Buddhist cultures. Distributed by PBS Distribution. 3-part series, 81–89 minutes each.