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Recommended Books and Movies About Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism

DVD's

Please purchase your books from the links below and 100% of the profits will go to IBC to help us build and support our new Indiana Buddhist Center. May the compassion and generosity generated from reading and utilizing these resources cause all sentient beings to accumulate merit and achieve buddhahood in this life.

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Little Buddha (1994)
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Bridgette Fonda, and Ruocheng Ying
Director: Bernardo Bertolucci
Rating PG

In many ways Little Buddha is a companion piece to Bernardo Bertolucci's The Last Emperor. A beautiful travelogue and history lesson unfolds in the two parts of this film: a historical text of Siddhartha (Keanu Reeves) and the contemporary quest of Lama Norbu (Ying Ruocheng), who believes he has found the reincarnation of his former teacher in a Seattle child. The ancient, magical tales sweep away the blasé contemporary action. Ruocheng's presence drives the story of discovery as the child learns about the teachings of Buddhism. A visual feast that will dazzle both young and old. In fact, were it not a religious icon, the youngsters might want Siddhartha dolls after viewing his magical on-screen adventures. Beautiful cinematography by Vittorio Storaro. --Doug Thomas

Seven Years in Tibet (1997)
Starring: Brad Pitt, David Thewlis
Director: Jean-Jacques Annaud
Rating: PG13

If it hadn't been for Brad Pitt signing on to play the lead role of obsessive Austrian mountain climber Heinrich Harrer, there's a good chance this lavish $70 million film would not have been made. It was one of two films from 1997 (the other being Martin Scorsese's exquisite Kundun) to view the turmoil between China and Tibet through the eyes of the young Dalai Lama. But with Pitt onboard, this adaptation of Harrer's acclaimed book focuses more on Harrer, a Nazi party member whose life was changed by his experiences in Tibet with the Dalai Lama. Having survived a treacherous climb on the challenging peak of Nanga Parbat and a stint in a British POW camp, Harrer and climbing guide Peter Aufschnaiter (nicely played by David Thewlis) arrive at the Tibetan city of Lhasa, where the 14-year-old Dalai Lama lives as ruler of Tibet. Their stay is longer than either could have expected (the "seven years" of the title), and their lives are forever transformed by their proximity to the Tibetan leader and the peaceful ways of the Buddhist people. China looms over the land as a constant invasive threat, but Seven Years in Tibet is more concerned with viewing Tibetan history through the eyes of a visitor. The film is filled with stunning images and delightful moments of discovery and soothing, lighthearted spirituality. --Jeff Shannon

Kundun (1997)
Starring: Tenzin Thuthob Tsarong, Gyurme Tethong
Director: Martin Scorsese
Rating: PG13

Praised as one of the best films of the year, KUNDUN is a motion picture masterpiece directed by five-time Academy Award(R)-nominated director Martin Scorsese. It's the incredible true story of one of the world's most fascinating leaders -- Tibet's Dali Lama and his daring struggle to rule a nation at one of the most challenging times in its history. Powerfully told and set against a backdrop of world politics -- the film's release created an international uproar! Featuring a striking Oscar(R)-nominated score by renowned composer Philip Glass, this extraordinary motion picture has been greeted with both controversy and worldwide acclaim -- experience it for yourself!

The Robert A.F. Thurman Collection (On Tibet / On Buddhism) (1998)
Rating: No Rating

From the Back Cover
Robert A.F. Thurman on Tibet
Explore the history and culture of Tibet, from its ancient past to modern times, with Robert A.F. Thurman, Tibetan scholar, writer and translator, and a good friend of the Dalai Lama. Time Magazine, which chose him as one of its 25 most influential Americans, described him as a "larger than life scholar-activist destined to convey the Dharma, the precious teachings of Siddhartha, from Asia to America." In this three-part series, Thurman tells us, with humor and insight, the stories and legends of the ancient Tibetan kings, heroes, sages, saints, and adepts. We see how the Dharma progressed in Tibet and how a powerful renaissance spirit seized the nation and a life dedicated to evolutionary progress towards buddhahood became the prevalent model for Tibetans. 240 minutes. 

Robert A.F. Thurman on Buddhism
"Take refuge in the three jewels, the three precious gems: the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. The Buddha means the teacher of enlightenment; the Dharma means the teaching, enlightenment itself. It means reality, nirvana, which is reality--that's the nice thing, that actual reality is the goal. The Sangha is the community through history of beings who are trying to implement the Dharma, who are trying themselves to become buddhas." Robert A.F. Thurman is professor of Indo-Tibetan studies in the Department of Religion at Columbia University and one of the West's foremost scholars of Tibetan Buddhism. He is the translator of The Tibetan Book of the Dead and the author of Inner Revolution and Circling the Sacred Mountain. 220 minutes.

This is by far the most worthwhile DVD set we have ever purchased. We recommend it to anyone and everyone with an interest in Tibet and/or Buddhism. If you're not interested, buy it anyway. Watch it and find yourself enthralled.--Walt and JoAnn Bush (Indiana)

More books, audio books, and dvds  will be added soon. If you can't find what you're looking for, use the link below to find it on Amazon. All profits from using this link (although smaller) will go to the Indiana Buddhist Center.

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