Buddhism Be Ye Lamps Unto Yourselves

Duration: 12:00

Year Published: 1973

Copyright: Registered 11Feb73 · MP30986 (Jan-Jun 1977) Copyright holder: American Broadcasting Companies, Inc

Complete Record: A close-up view of Theravada Buddhism, the conservative and austere form of the religion practiced in Thailand. Examines the spiritual and temporal life of the monks. Shows how the religion is reacting to contemporary social and political pressures. Various shots of monks performing prayers in a Buddhist temple in Thailand. Close up shot of Buddha statue. Medium shot of two young monks praying, kneeling on the ground. Close up of a young monk’s face whose eyebrows, beard, and hair gets shaven off. A family of Bangkok sees their son off to a temple. A young monk throws hand full of coins in a town temple. Children gather to get the coins. The young man starts his life as a monk. Group of monks performing meditation. Dr. Donald Swearer being interviewed. He explains the basics of Buddhism concepts. Various shots of the monks in the town for religious mendicancy. Medium shots of monks taking their meals. Various shots of monks performing prayers and studying. Close up shot of a European monk originally from Hamburg, Germany speaking about his life as a monk. medium shot of a monk washing his clothes. Shots of a Buddhist funeral and a woman weeping in front of the coffin. Close up of monks performing meditation. Close up shots of statues of Buddha. Medium shot of a monk ringing a big bell. various shots of people in the city of Bangkok. Various shots of Buddhist temples in Thailand. Medium shot of the Buddha statue in Nara, Japan. Close up of a candle flame. Various shots of monks walking in the city at dawn.