Souls of Zen: Ancestors and Agency in Contemporary Japanese Temple Buddhism

June. 01,2012      
Rating:
8.4
Trailer Synopsis Cast

The Japanese population’s reaction to the catastrophe of March 2011 has been described as “stoic” by the Western media. The Japanese code of conduct is indeed deeply rooted in their Buddhist traditions, and young filmmakers Tim Graf and Jakob Montrasio observe in detail what this means for the people and their religion. At graveyards, in temples, at monasteries and with families, they question the impact this triple affliction has had on the lives and beliefs of the inhabitants. How deeply do their beliefs affect their grieving? What role do the monks play in assisting people with their grief? And, what effects has this enormous catastrophe had on their religious rituals? SOULS OF ZEN inserts the events of March 2011 into the context of traditional Zen Buddhism, examining Japan’s religiousness and the beliefs of those practising it at a crucial turning point.

Tenzin Gyatso as  Self

Similar titles

My Flesh and Blood
My Flesh and Blood
My Flesh and Blood is a 2003 documentary film by Jonathan Karsh chronicling a year in the life of the Tom family. The Tom family is notable as the mother, Susan, adopted eleven children, most of whom had serious disabilities or diseases. The film itself is notable for handling the sensitive subject matter in an unsentimental way that is more uplifting than one might expect.
My Flesh and Blood 2003
The Great Happiness Space: Tale of an Osaka Love Thief
The Great Happiness Space: Tale of an Osaka Love Thief
Welcome to The Great Happiness Space: Rakkyo Café. The club's owner, Issei (22), has a staff of twenty boys all under his training to become the top escorts of Osaka's underground love scene. During their training, they learn how to dress, how to talk, how to walk, and most importantly, how to fake relationships with the girls who become their source of income. Join us as Osaka's number one host boy takes us on a journey through the complex and heartrenching world of love for sale in the Japanese underground.
The Great Happiness Space: Tale of an Osaka Love Thief 2006
The Reaper
The Reaper
Efrain, known as the Reaper, has worked at a slaughterhouse for 25 years. We will discover his deep relationship with death and his struggle to live.
The Reaper 2013

You May Also Like

Bring It On: Fight to the Finish
Prime Video
Bring It On: Fight to the Finish
When her mother falls for a wealthy man, Lina Cruz must move in with her new stepfather and transfer from an urban East Los Angeles public high school to an exclusive prep school in Malibu, where she struggles to fit in with her affluent new peers. After snooty cheerleading captain Avery blocks Lina from varsity, Lina recruits her best friends from her old school to help her whip the pathetic junior varsity cheerleading squad -- the Sea Lions -- into fighting shape.
Bring It On: Fight to the Finish 2009
Intermedio
Intermedio
Under the border leading into Mexico, within a labyrinth of caves, a deadly presence haunts all who enter. For four friends on an expedition, the caverns become an underground graveyard as the tortured ghosts prey upon them, one by one.
Intermedio 2005
Men
Men
Men will be men.
Men 2017
In The Hell of Dixie
In The Hell of Dixie
Deep in the woods of southern Louisiana, a masked killer stalks members of a local hunting club. As blood trails begin to connect the victims, police deputy Ned Annison finds himself caught in the middle, pursued by both the killer and the town sheriff. Always one step ahead, Ned works to stop the killer and clear his name, only to find that some friendships end in blood.
In The Hell of Dixie 2016
Tracers
Prime Video
Tracers
Wanted by the mafia, a New York City bike messenger escapes into the world of parkour after meeting a beautiful stranger.
Tracers 2015
Puss in Boots: The Three Diablos
Puss in Boots: The Three Diablos
Puss in Boots is on a mission to recover the Princess' stolen ruby from the notorious French thief, Whisperer. Reluctantly accompanied by three little kittens, Three Diablos, Puss must tame them before they endanger the mission.
Puss in Boots: The Three Diablos 2012
The Cheetah Girls 2
Disney+
The Cheetah Girls 2
Best friends Galleria, Chanel, Dorinda, and Aqua, A.K.A. the girl band "The Cheetahs," get the opportunity of a lifetime when they strut their way to Barcelona, Spain, to perform in an international music festival. Along the way, the "amigas Cheetahs" learn that, although their paths are not the same, they are lucky to have one another for the journey.
The Cheetah Girls 2 2006
Strange Object
Strange Object
An archival investigation into the imperial image-making of the RAF ‘Z Unit’, which determined the destruction of human, animal and cultural life across Somaliland, as well as Africa and Asia.
Strange Object 2020
Scary Movie 4
Prime Video
Scary Movie 4
Cindy finds out the house she lives in is haunted by a little boy and goes on a quest to find out who killed him and why. Also, Alien "Tr-iPods" are invading the world and she has to uncover the secret in order to stop them.
Scary Movie 4 2006
Killer of Men
Freevee
Killer of Men
A man lurks the night alleys, killing people at random, he feels nothing, no emotion, and no pain; when he meets a graceful widow he must confront what it means to be human.
Killer of Men 2022

Reviews

StunnaKrypto
2012/06/01

Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

... more
Comwayon
2012/06/02

A Disappointing Continuation

... more
Kaydan Christian
2012/06/03

A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

... more
Winifred
2012/06/04

The movie is made so realistic it has a lot of that WoW feeling at the right moments and never tooo over the top. the suspense is done so well and the emotion is felt. Very well put together with the music and all.

... more