Usually, searches for films about spirituality and religion will bring up a whole lot of documentary viewing - and while that’s great (and a wonderful way to learn), it’s not always what viewers want. Sometimes, it would be nice to see a fictional (or biographical) film with a bit of a spiritual bent - something that can be light, funny, or dramatic, rather than purely informative.
These ten films explore Buddhism in a whole range of ways - and none of them are documentaries. Some might use fictional stories to explore the lifestyle or principles of Buddhism, while others might include Buddhist monks in a comedic way, or take a dramatized look at famous real-life Buddhists.
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter… and Spring
This beautiful South Korean film looks at the cyclical nature of life (a very Buddhist concept) against the backdrop of a Buddhist monastery on a tiny island. Set over the course of a year, the film centers on a young monk as he explores love and sexuality as well as his faith. This is a wonderful film for directly referencing the Buddhist way while simultaneously embodying a Buddhist idea.
Bulletproof Monk
On the opposite end of the spectrum, there’s Bulletproof Monk. This may actually fall into the ‘So Bad It’s Good’ category, rather than being legitimately a great movie, but anyone who wants to see a Buddhist Monk in a kick-ass action comedy alongside a wise-cracking American pickpocket to protect a mystical scroll… has come to the right place. This definitely isn’t about the true Buddhist way, but it’s a fun flick, nonetheless.
Buddha Collapsed Out Of Shame
Despite the title, this film doesn’t totally focus on Buddhism but includes some wonderfully Buddhist ideas about the search for wisdom and the importance of education for all. Buddha Collapsed Out Of Shame takes place in Bamiyan (Afghanistan), where the Taliban famously destroyed massive, ancient Buddha statues.
The film centers on a young girl, and her dreams of being able to be educated - and while it may not quite be I Am Malala, it’s a beautiful and inspirational tale.
Samsara
This award-winning film festival offering explores the complications of spirituality and sexuality, as a young monk attempts to gain enlightenment. The film centers on Tashi, a man raised to the spiritual life, who falls in love with a woman. He struggles to decide if he must truly understand the other side of life to achieve enlightenment, and follows his heart - but to unexpected ends.
Hector And The Search For Happiness
Simon Pegg stars in this film about a bored psychiatrist who sets out on a global quest to discover the true meaning of happiness… and finds some wonderfully unexpected results. And unlike many films that claim that, the end of the film is likely to actually be unexpected, in a wonderful way.
While Buddhism isn’t a huge part of the film, Hector does spend some time trekking to a monastary, and learning some lessons there - and the overall meaning of the film definitely fits with some Buddhist beliefs.
Kundun
Directed by Martin Scorsese, Kundun is a visually stunning look at the early life of the Dalai Lama. From his childhood in Tibet to the Chinese invasion and his escape to India. The film is more beautiful than political, and explores the mystery of Buddhism through the story of the world’s most famous Buddhist. It may not be the best (or best-known) of Scorsese’s works, but it’s definitely worth a watch for anyone interested in the personal history of the Dalai Lama.
The Cup
Not every film about Buddhism has to be serious and spiritual, as The Cup clearly proves. This comedy is set in a monastary, but follows the adventures of a group of monks and novices who are torn between their love of spirituality… and their love of football (soccer)! The bulk of the film follows them as they attempt to find a way to watch the World Cup, and it’s a sweet and funny reminder that even monks are human. A must for fans of the beautiful game, or the Buddhist way.
Milarepa
Another film looking at the life of a famous figure from Buddhism, Milarepa is about the Tibetan tantric yogi of the same name. The film is a moral fable, and one of the best-known in Buddhism, so viewers shouldn’t be expecting dramatic twists and turns. Instead, this is a film with a lesson, and a wonderful one for anyone interested in the stories of Buddhism told through the medium of film.
The Civilization Of Maxwell Bright
Patrick Warburton stars in this lesser-known film that puts a Buddhist twist on the classic story of Beauty and the Beast. The film begins with a deeply angry and misoygnistic man deciding that the answer to his love-life issues is a mail order bride. Assuming that his new bride will be docile and utterly submissive, Max Bright is surprised to find that there is much more to her than he expects, and that she is actually a Buddhist nun. As his own life goes through major changes, the two discover that they may have something unexpected to offer each other - and that it may not be too late for Max to discover a more spiritual side to himself. (Be warned, though - this is not a typical romantic comedy.)
Seven Years In Tibet
Where would a list of Buddhism films be without this ’90s classic starring Brad Pitt? Also centered on the life of the Dalai Lama, Seven Years In Tibet is based on the true story of Heinrich Harrer, a mountain climber who finds himself in Tibet, and the unlikely friendship that blooms between Heinrich and the Dalai Lama. Unlike many others on this list, Seven Years In Tibet was a big budget Hollywood production, but like many similar films based on true stories, manages to be inspirational, rather than cheesy.
