Rating: 
Summary: Simple and Beautiful
Review: I don't have much to add to the previous reviews except to state that my copy of this DVD is fine. Nothing wrong with the picture. In fact, better quality than at the movie theater.
Rating: 
Summary: "The Real Koan - Why are Viewers Duped?!"
Review: An awful movie for two reasons: pretentious and empty as a film, and worse, as a supposed example (I can't even say "masterpiece" ) of "Zen", basically fraudulent. Slow tracking nature shots and third grade level spouting of Buddhist aphorisms (and literal use of the ox parable - ugh!) do not constitute "Zen." Real zen practice is not divorced from the nitty gritty reality of modern life ; thinking that this movie will somehow get you on the path to prajna paramita (the "other shore", i.e., enlightenment) is like saying that watching "Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer" or "The Grinch" will let you understand the meaning of Christianity's origin. It's obvious now why Mr. Bae has never made another film: and it's unfortunate that so many people's wish to "see" Zen philosophy /spirituality has caused them to suspend their critical discernments and project depth into this amatuerish production. Decent, if unchallenging, cinematography though (hence the two stars).
Rating:
Summary: applaud the effort, but it left me wanting
Review: As a Buddhist from a devout Buddhist family, I was delighted to find a film about the Mahayana. I bought it and brought it to California with me on a recent trip when I visited my family, and even invited our teacher, a Vajrayana lama to watch with us. I going to try to word my words respectfully. Though I appreciate what the author has done and I fully applaud all efforts in Buddhist filmmaking, I was left disappointed with 'Why Has Bodhi-Dharma Left for the East.' The movie is indeed shot beautifully, with gorgeous images and very poetic scenes. However, imagery does not a movie make. I can see the director's intentions, but some parts terribly misrepresent the path of cultivation. For instance, the old monk's body is in its current damaged state because he meditated up against a block of ice in attempt to conquer sleep. Not only is this not advisable and detrimental to health, but misrepresentative of the practice. Buddha starved with the ascetics only to come to the conclusion that to put his body through so much suffering is extremist, and instead, we should opt for moderation and the middle way. And why should we want to conquer sleep, anyway? What's the point? When Buddha walked the earth with us, even he had to bow to the physical limits of his nirmanakaya form and ate, slept, and cared for his body. The Dharma should bring its followers peace of mind, fulfillment, contentment, and more and more happiness as we practice it more and more. However, this movie portrays monks undergoing mental torment and anguish throughout the movie. It seemed as if the movie piled more and more anguish on the monks as the movie progressed. The only scene I saw where they were at ease and happy was when the old monk pulled a tooth from the boy monk with the help of his other disciple. In my opinion, it should have been the other way around, with them growing freer and freer, happier and happier, more and more peaceful as the movie went on. Zen is not abstract, it is actually a very straightforward practice, but I fear non-Buddhists who watch this and base all their opinions off it will take away the wrong message of not only Zen, but Buddhism in general. The concept of Bodhicitta (vast, impartial love for all beings) that is the very heart of all Mahayana practice isn't even addressed (a slight reference is made to compassion). I would consider a successful Buddhist film to be one that inspires its viewers to arouse bodhicitta themselves and, like the Buddha, go forth into the world bravely to alleviate the suffering of the world. That was not the goal, however, with this film. It instead focuses on Zen, but without portraying and emphasizing the bodhicitta (or growing, budding bodhicitta) of the monks and how they progress towards that goal using Zen as a means of practice, the concept of "Zen" itself becomes pretentious, useless, and hollow. With this movie, it's as if the very heart of the practice- love, compassion, tolerance for all beings- was left out. Zen is just a way of practice. If Zen is the ship and wisdom the anchor, compassion is the wind that powers the sails. To make a movie just about "Zen" without giving equal (if not more) emphasis to the other two- wisdom and compassion- is to have a boat lost and just sitting out at sea. That's how I felt about the movie, that it had no sense of direction or point at the end. That's how I feel about the movie, that it lacks heart. If you're looking for a Buddhist movie with plenty of heart, I would suggest the movie "The Cup" over this one (it was nominated for 'Best Foreign Film' from Bhutan, but lost the Oscar to 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'). It's absolutely delightful and wonderfully represents active compassion in practice. I'm sorry if I offend anybody who enjoyed this film-- it's just one person's opinion =)
Rating:
Summary: applaud the effort, but it left me wanting
Review: As a Buddhist from a devout Buddhist family, I was delighted to find a film about the Mahayana. I bought it and brought it to California with me on a recent trip when I visited my family, and even invited our teacher, a Vajrayana lama to watch with us. I going to try to word my words respectfully. Though I appreciate what the author has done and I fully applaud all efforts in Buddhist filmmaking, I was left disappointed with 'Why Has Bodhi-Dharma Left for the East.' The movie is indeed shot beautifully, with gorgeous images and very poetic scenes. However, imagery does not a movie make. I can see the director's intentions, but some parts terribly misrepresent the path of cultivation. For instance, the old monk's body is in its current damaged state because he meditated up against a block of ice in attempt to conquer sleep. Not only is this not advisable and detrimental to health, but misrepresentative of the practice. Buddha starved with the ascetics only to come to the conclusion that to put his body through so much suffering is extremist, and instead, we should opt for moderation and the middle way. And why should we want to conquer sleep, anyway? What's the point? When Buddha walked the earth with us, even he had to bow to the physical limits of his nirmanakaya form and ate, slept, and cared for his body. The Dharma should bring its followers peace of mind, fulfillment, contentment, and more and more happiness as we practice it more and more. However, this movie portrays monks undergoing mental torment and anguish throughout the movie. It seemed as if the movie piled more and more anguish on the monks as the movie progressed. The only scene I saw where they were at ease and happy was when the old monk pulled a tooth from the boy monk with the help of his other disciple. In my opinion, it should have been the other way around, with them growing freer and freer, happier and happier, more and more peaceful as the movie went on. Zen is not abstract, it is actually a very straightforward practice, but I fear non-Buddhists who watch this and base all their opinions off it will take away the wrong message of not only Zen, but Buddhism in general. The concept of Bodhicitta (vast, impartial love for all beings) that is the very heart of all Mahayana practice isn't even addressed (a slight reference is made to compassion). I would consider a successful Buddhist film to be one that inspires its viewers to arouse bodhicitta themselves and, like the Buddha, go forth into the world bravely to alleviate the suffering of the world. That was not the goal, however, with this film. It instead focuses on Zen, but without portraying and emphasizing the bodhicitta (or growing, budding bodhicitta) of the monks and how they progress towards that goal using Zen as a means of practice, the concept of "Zen" itself becomes pretentious, useless, and hollow. With this movie, it's as if the very heart of the practice- love, compassion, tolerance for all beings- was left out. Zen is just a way of practice. If Zen is the ship and wisdom the anchor, compassion is the wind that powers the sails. To make a movie just about "Zen" without giving equal (if not more) emphasis to the other two- wisdom and compassion- is to have a boat lost and just sitting out at sea. That's how I felt about the movie, that it had no sense of direction or point at the end. That's how I feel about the movie, that it lacks heart. If you're looking for a Buddhist movie with plenty of heart, I would suggest the movie "The Cup" over this one (it was nominated for 'Best Foreign Film' from Bhutan, but lost the Oscar to 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'). It's absolutely delightful and wonderfully represents active compassion in practice. I'm sorry if I offend anybody who enjoyed this film-- it's just one person's opinion =)
Rating:
Summary: a gem, very hard to find
Review: As a young Korean immigrant, it's impossible to describe in words my feelings when I found this movie in USA. Even though so many wonderful films are made in Korea, they seldom get noticed world-wide. This is one of the "wonderful films" that are hard to find. I've watched this movie several times now, but frankly, there still are a lot of things that I don't understand. The reason I keep watching, though, whenever I have time, is because of pure aesthetics in words and images. In my opinion, you don't have to understand anything, nor should you be buddhist or have knowlege in buddhism to like this movie. Every words and images have beauty all by themselves and they make you feel something, and think something. Well, if not, at least they make you feel peaceful. If you are a person like me, who's tired of car honking, crowded train, and this jungle of concrete buildings, I strongly suggest you grab this movie, and have a moment of serenity. The English subtitle looks very good, although there are some words that are just not translatable. But that's just my opinion, since I'm more accustomed to Korean than English. My last words -- if you decide to buy this movie, enjoy the scenery. Korean mountains are SO BEAUTIFUL!
Rating:
Summary: a recommendation from my step dad
Review: He (see title) told me it was the best movie he had ever seen. I can see why, it's in my top ten for sure. I concur with the other reviews here, but this must be added: The cinematography is outstanding. Any still from the movie would make a photograph worthy of lengthy contemplation.
Rating:
Summary: Meditative Zen Movie
Review: I am seeing this movie third time. Frankly speaking I doubt that common western viewers can understand fully the stories without background of introductory Zen. I think this movie is full of symbolism on Zen and eastern philosophy. For example, the positions, moving rhythms, and angles of camera usually are from the observer or the shelf. Karma is a main principle supporting the story. Even without any knowledge on Zen, this movie is still meditative, or very boring to make you sleep peacefully. I heard that the original movie was luckily found by the director himself for DVD production. Original sound is mono. English translation seemed to be good and concise. The director is a professor in Korea, and this is the first and last movie he made for public. I heard that he spent seven years for this movie in the Ji-ri Mountain in the southern Korea.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful ! (My Humble Opinion)
Review: I found this movie by chance and am so glad that I did. I have studied Zen as well as several other different lineages of Buddhism for most of my life and found this movie to be a wonderful depiction of the philosophies of the East. Beautifully filmed. A must see for those who look for the positive in all they see! I will admit that this movie is not for everyone. With the films that most of us are used to this will appear to slow for many. But, if your in a quiet, meditative mood and yearning for a something completely different - Check this one out!
Rating: 
Summary: Incredibly boring
Review: I have never seen a more boring movie in my life. I saw this with my family when it got good reviews, and we could not suffer through the whole movie.
Rating:
Summary: Everthing is confusing
Review: I think most people have a stereotype towards Buddhism. People think it is very confusing and hard to understand. However, once you touch even a small part of it, you will be surprised how natural and easy it is. In this movie the director tries to simplify and symbolize Mahayana Buddhism for viewers. Of course, it is not easy to understand for the first time. But, I am sure that you will at least get the big frame of Mahayana Buddhism after watching it again and again. If you hate this movie, please think about the director. He spent about 7 years in the mountains in order to make this one movie. I hope his 7 years in the mountains will not be in vain.
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