Buddhism is a religion and philosophy that originated in India around the sixth century B.C.E. It derived largely from the teachings of Shakyamuni (Siddhartha Gautama). Shakyamuni dedicated his life to finding the means to liberate people from the universal sufferings of life and develop spiritual strength.
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy that originated in India around the sixth century B.C.E. It derived largely from the teachings of Shakyamuni (Siddhartha Gautama). Shakyamuni dedicated his life to finding the means to liberate people from the universal sufferings of life and develop spiritual strength. His teachings were later compiled into scriptures (often called "sutras") and numerous schools of Buddhism were founded to teach those sutras. After Shakyamuni's death, his teachings spread from Northern Asia through Central and Southeast Asia and to China, Korea and Japan. The religion has played a significant role in Asian culture ever since. In the 20th century, Buddhism spread to the West. Today, an estimated 350 million people practice Buddhism around the world. It is the world's fourth largest religion.
The Basic Teachings
Buddhism includes a variety of beliefs and encompasses different schools. The major schools of Buddhism are Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana and Tibetan Buddhism. While each of these schools has its own distinct set of practices, some also incorporate teachings from other schools and branches. Tibetan Buddhism (sometimes called Lamaism) developed in Tibet and the surrounding Himalayas in the 7th century C.E. Tibetan Buddhism incorporates various philosophies (Madhyamika, Yogacara, Tantra, Theravadin and shamanistic elements from indigenous religions) and is distinguished by its vast number of deities and reincarnated lamas, who continue to teach and interpret the scriptures.
Theravada Buddhists strive to become arhats, or perfected saints who have attained enlightenment and nirvana. Mahayana Buddhists, on the other hand, hope to become bodhisattvas, saints who have become enlightened but who unselfishly delay nirvana to help others attain it as well, as the Buddha did. Mahayana Buddhists teach that enlightenment can be attained in a single lifetime, and this can be accomplished even by a layperson.
No matter the school, Buddhism involves three main paths (sometimes called practices): renunciation, transformation and self-liberation. In Buddhist terminology, the path of renunciation is called Sutra; transformation is called Tantra; and self-liberation is called Dzogchen. Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, featured in the film, teaches all three paths and considers them to be alternative and compatible approaches rather than conflicting methods.
Photo caption: Chögyal Namkhai Norbu and his family
Part of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, Dzogchen is an ancient set of teachings and meditation practices intended to help participants achieve consciousness of the true nature of all beings. The teachings are known in English as "the great perfection" or "the path of self-liberation."
Part of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, Dzogchen is an ancient set of teachings and meditation practices intended to help participants achieve consciousness of the true nature of all beings. The teachings are known in English as "the great perfection" or "the path of self-liberation." Dzogchen is considered the most difficult path in Tibetan Buddhism. Dzogchen was traditionally kept secret in Tibet, and practiced only by the most advanced practitioners. When the Chinese invaded Tibet, many of the high masters of Dzogchen fled into exile and brought this secret tradition with them. The protagonist of the film My Reincarnation, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, fled Tibet in 1959, eventually ending up in Italy, where he worked as a professor at the University of Naples.
My Reincarnation offers a glimpse into the life of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu ,who is a master of the Dzogchen tradition. When he began teaching Dzogchen openly in the West in the mid-1970s, he was the first Buddhist teacher to do so. In 1981, he founded the first Dzogchen center in Italy's Tuscany region. Over the years, thousands of people from all over the world have become members of the Dzogchen community. Centers have been created in the United States, in various parts of Europe, in Latin America, in Russia and in Australia.
Photo caption: Chögyal Namkhai Norbu teaches while his son, Yeshi, looks on as Rinpoche gives teachers to thousands of local Kalmyks Credit: Zohe Film Productions, Inc.
Sources:
» An Oral Commentary to the text "The Precious Lamp: A Brief Explanation of the Three Paths of Liberation," Tashigar Norte, January 27 - February 4, 2006
Reincarnation
The wheel of life, or samsara, is an important symbol in Buddhism, because it represents the cycle of birth, life and death. According to Buddhism, the human soul never dies. Instead, it is reborn or reincarnated in a new form.
The wheel of life, or samsara, is an important symbol in Buddhism, because it represents the cycle of birth, life and death. According to Buddhism, the human soul never dies. Instead, it is reborn or reincarnated in a new form. This new form may be a human, animal or supernatural being. Many Buddhists believe this endless cycle of life and death, called reincarnation, is a domain of suffering and reflects the impermanence of existence. The ultimate goal is to escape from that suffering.
Buddhists also believe that good karma (a tendency toward positive thoughts and actions) may result in rebirth in a higher form. The consequences of bad karma (negative deeds) may lead to rebirth in a lower form. Buddhists believe that only through good karma and by overcoming greed, hatred and ignorance can they free themselves from the perpetual cycle of death and rebirth. At that point, they will become truly enlightened and reach the state of nirvana, which literally means "to extinguish."
In My Reincarnation, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu (the father, also known as Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche — rinpoche, "precious one" in Tibetan, is a title of respect reserved for Tibetan Buddhist masters) is recognized as the reincarnation of several renowned masters, including the Dharmaraja of Bhutan and Adzom Drukpa. Khyentse Yeshe (the son, originally known as Yeshi) is recognized as the reincarnation of his father's uncle, a famous Dzogchen master who died after the Chinese invaded Tibet.
Photo caption: Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in his favorite pastime, swimming in the water Credit: Zohe Film Productions, Inc.
Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhists believe in the awareness of death and impermanence. This awareness leads to a life guided by the pursuit of value rather than impermanent pleasures.
Christianity
Most mainstream Christians do not believe in reincarnation.
Hinduism
Hindus believe in a life cycle that includes many rebirths based on karma, which is the law of cause and effect. The next life is always based on the karma — good or bad — created in this life.
Islam
Muslims do not believe in reincarnation; instead they believe that heaven or hell is a final destination.
Judaism
Traditional Judaism believes that the dead will be resurrected. Olam Ha-Ba (the World to Come) refers to the spiritual afterlife. The messiah will come to create a peaceful and prosperous world, where the righteous dead will resurrect and the wicked dead will not.
Photo caption: Yeshi Namkhai watches a dance performed in his honor during his enthronement ceremony (as the reincarnation of Khyentse Rinpoche) Credit: Luigi Ottaviani
Buddhism has followers around the world and has been adapted to fit different societies. Merchants, traders and missionaries first brought Buddhism from North India to the rest of Asia. They also brought the religion to China via the Silk Road, and from China it spread to Korea, Japan and Tibet.
China's invasion of Tibet in 1950 led to a diaspora of the Tibetan people, which caused Tibetan Buddhism to spread quite widely. A number of prominent Buddhist teachers established centers of worship in Europe and North America. In My Reincarnation, Namkhai Norbu settles in Italy at the invitation of well-known professor of Eastern cultures Giuseppe Tucci. There, Norbu becomes a professor of Eastern studies at the University of Naples and does much to promote the spread of Tibetan culture in the West. He has written more than 100 books on Tibetan culture, history and spiritual practice, making him one of the world's foremost scholars on the subject and prompting the Dalai Lama to give him a gold pen to encourage him to write.
Chinese immigrants first brought Buddhism to the United States in the mid-19th century, but the religion gained a higher profile in the 1960s and 1970s, due to the Tibetan diaspora and growing interest in Eastern religions. Writers of the Beat Generation, such as Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg, brought Buddhism to the attention of a wider audience. Many contemporary celebrities and artists, including Leonard Cohen, Richard Gere, Herbie Hancock, Tina Turner and Alice Walker, have shared publicly the influence that Buddhism has had on their lives and work.
There are presently about 60,000 Buddhists in Italy (0.1% of the country's population). Estimates of the number of Buddhists in the United States range from 2,450,000 to 4 million.
Photo caption: Yeshi Namkhai teaching in Russia Credit: Kurmanguzhina Ainar
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Introduction to Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy that originated in India around the sixth century B.C.E. It derived largely from the teachings of Shakyamuni (Siddhartha Gautama). Shakyamuni dedicated his life to finding the means to liberate people from the universal sufferings of life and develop spiritual strength.
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy that originated in India around the sixth century B.C.E. It derived largely from the teachings of Shakyamuni (Siddhartha Gautama). Shakyamuni dedicated his life to finding the means to liberate people from the universal sufferings of life and develop spiritual strength. His teachings were later compiled into scriptures (often called "sutras") and numerous schools of Buddhism were founded to teach those sutras. After Shakyamuni's death, his teachings spread from Northern Asia through Central and Southeast Asia and to China, Korea and Japan. The religion has played a significant role in Asian culture ever since. In the 20th century, Buddhism spread to the West. Today, an estimated 350 million people practice Buddhism around the world. It is the world's fourth largest religion.
The Basic Teachings
Buddhism includes a variety of beliefs and encompasses different schools. The major schools of Buddhism are Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana and Tibetan Buddhism. While each of these schools has its own distinct set of practices, some also incorporate teachings from other schools and branches. Tibetan Buddhism (sometimes called Lamaism) developed in Tibet and the surrounding Himalayas in the 7th century C.E. Tibetan Buddhism incorporates various philosophies (Madhyamika, Yogacara, Tantra, Theravadin and shamanistic elements from indigenous religions) and is distinguished by its vast number of deities and reincarnated lamas, who continue to teach and interpret the scriptures.
Theravada Buddhists strive to become arhats, or perfected saints who have attained enlightenment and nirvana. Mahayana Buddhists, on the other hand, hope to become bodhisattvas, saints who have become enlightened but who unselfishly delay nirvana to help others attain it as well, as the Buddha did. Mahayana Buddhists teach that enlightenment can be attained in a single lifetime, and this can be accomplished even by a layperson.
No matter the school, Buddhism involves three main paths (sometimes called practices): renunciation, transformation and self-liberation. In Buddhist terminology, the path of renunciation is called Sutra; transformation is called Tantra; and self-liberation is called Dzogchen. Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, featured in the film, teaches all three paths and considers them to be alternative and compatible approaches rather than conflicting methods.
Photo caption: Chögyal Namkhai Norbu and his family
Part of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, Dzogchen is an ancient set of teachings and meditation practices intended to help participants achieve consciousness of the true nature of all beings. The teachings are known in English as "the great perfection" or "the path of self-liberation."
Part of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, Dzogchen is an ancient set of teachings and meditation practices intended to help participants achieve consciousness of the true nature of all beings. The teachings are known in English as "the great perfection" or "the path of self-liberation." Dzogchen is considered the most difficult path in Tibetan Buddhism. Dzogchen was traditionally kept secret in Tibet, and practiced only by the most advanced practitioners. When the Chinese invaded Tibet, many of the high masters of Dzogchen fled into exile and brought this secret tradition with them. The protagonist of the film My Reincarnation, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, fled Tibet in 1959, eventually ending up in Italy, where he worked as a professor at the University of Naples.
My Reincarnation offers a glimpse into the life of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu ,who is a master of the Dzogchen tradition. When he began teaching Dzogchen openly in the West in the mid-1970s, he was the first Buddhist teacher to do so. In 1981, he founded the first Dzogchen center in Italy's Tuscany region. Over the years, thousands of people from all over the world have become members of the Dzogchen community. Centers have been created in the United States, in various parts of Europe, in Latin America, in Russia and in Australia.
Photo caption: Chögyal Namkhai Norbu teaches while his son, Yeshi, looks on as Rinpoche gives teachers to thousands of local Kalmyks Credit: Zohe Film Productions, Inc.
Sources:
» An Oral Commentary to the text "The Precious Lamp: A Brief Explanation of the Three Paths of Liberation," Tashigar Norte, January 27 - February 4, 2006
Reincarnation
The wheel of life, or samsara, is an important symbol in Buddhism, because it represents the cycle of birth, life and death. According to Buddhism, the human soul never dies. Instead, it is reborn or reincarnated in a new form.
The wheel of life, or samsara, is an important symbol in Buddhism, because it represents the cycle of birth, life and death. According to Buddhism, the human soul never dies. Instead, it is reborn or reincarnated in a new form. This new form may be a human, animal or supernatural being. Many Buddhists believe this endless cycle of life and death, called reincarnation, is a domain of suffering and reflects the impermanence of existence. The ultimate goal is to escape from that suffering.
Buddhists also believe that good karma (a tendency toward positive thoughts and actions) may result in rebirth in a higher form. The consequences of bad karma (negative deeds) may lead to rebirth in a lower form. Buddhists believe that only through good karma and by overcoming greed, hatred and ignorance can they free themselves from the perpetual cycle of death and rebirth. At that point, they will become truly enlightened and reach the state of nirvana, which literally means "to extinguish."
In My Reincarnation, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu (the father, also known as Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche — rinpoche, "precious one" in Tibetan, is a title of respect reserved for Tibetan Buddhist masters) is recognized as the reincarnation of several renowned masters, including the Dharmaraja of Bhutan and Adzom Drukpa. Khyentse Yeshe (the son, originally known as Yeshi) is recognized as the reincarnation of his father's uncle, a famous Dzogchen master who died after the Chinese invaded Tibet.
Photo caption: Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in his favorite pastime, swimming in the water Credit: Zohe Film Productions, Inc.
Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhists believe in the awareness of death and impermanence. This awareness leads to a life guided by the pursuit of value rather than impermanent pleasures.
Christianity
Most mainstream Christians do not believe in reincarnation.
Hinduism
Hindus believe in a life cycle that includes many rebirths based on karma, which is the law of cause and effect. The next life is always based on the karma — good or bad — created in this life.
Islam
Muslims do not believe in reincarnation; instead they believe that heaven or hell is a final destination.
Judaism
Traditional Judaism believes that the dead will be resurrected. Olam Ha-Ba (the World to Come) refers to the spiritual afterlife. The messiah will come to create a peaceful and prosperous world, where the righteous dead will resurrect and the wicked dead will not.
Photo caption: Yeshi Namkhai watches a dance performed in his honor during his enthronement ceremony (as the reincarnation of Khyentse Rinpoche) Credit: Luigi Ottaviani
Buddhism has followers around the world and has been adapted to fit different societies. Merchants, traders and missionaries first brought Buddhism from North India to the rest of Asia. They also brought the religion to China via the Silk Road, and from China it spread to Korea, Japan and Tibet.
China's invasion of Tibet in 1950 led to a diaspora of the Tibetan people, which caused Tibetan Buddhism to spread quite widely. A number of prominent Buddhist teachers established centers of worship in Europe and North America. In My Reincarnation, Namkhai Norbu settles in Italy at the invitation of well-known professor of Eastern cultures Giuseppe Tucci. There, Norbu becomes a professor of Eastern studies at the University of Naples and does much to promote the spread of Tibetan culture in the West. He has written more than 100 books on Tibetan culture, history and spiritual practice, making him one of the world's foremost scholars on the subject and prompting the Dalai Lama to give him a gold pen to encourage him to write.
Chinese immigrants first brought Buddhism to the United States in the mid-19th century, but the religion gained a higher profile in the 1960s and 1970s, due to the Tibetan diaspora and growing interest in Eastern religions. Writers of the Beat Generation, such as Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg, brought Buddhism to the attention of a wider audience. Many contemporary celebrities and artists, including Leonard Cohen, Richard Gere, Herbie Hancock, Tina Turner and Alice Walker, have shared publicly the influence that Buddhism has had on their lives and work.
There are presently about 60,000 Buddhists in Italy (0.1% of the country's population). Estimates of the number of Buddhists in the United States range from 2,450,000 to 4 million.
Photo caption: Yeshi Namkhai teaching in Russia Credit: Kurmanguzhina Ainar
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Introduction to Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy that originated in India around the sixth century B.C.E. It derived largely from the teachings of Shakyamuni (Siddhartha Gautama). Shakyamuni dedicated his life to finding the means to liberate people from the universal sufferings of life and develop spiritual strength.
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy that originated in India around the sixth century B.C.E. It derived largely from the teachings of Shakyamuni (Siddhartha Gautama). Shakyamuni dedicated his life to finding the means to liberate people from the universal sufferings of life and develop spiritual strength. His teachings were later compiled into scriptures (often called "sutras") and numerous schools of Buddhism were founded to teach those sutras. After Shakyamuni's death, his teachings spread from Northern Asia through Central and Southeast Asia and to China, Korea and Japan. The religion has played a significant role in Asian culture ever since. In the 20th century, Buddhism spread to the West. Today, an estimated 350 million people practice Buddhism around the world. It is the world's fourth largest religion.
The Basic Teachings
Buddhism includes a variety of beliefs and encompasses different schools. The major schools of Buddhism are Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana and Tibetan Buddhism. While each of these schools has its own distinct set of practices, some also incorporate teachings from other schools and branches. Tibetan Buddhism (sometimes called Lamaism) developed in Tibet and the surrounding Himalayas in the 7th century C.E. Tibetan Buddhism incorporates various philosophies (Madhyamika, Yogacara, Tantra, Theravadin and shamanistic elements from indigenous religions) and is distinguished by its vast number of deities and reincarnated lamas, who continue to teach and interpret the scriptures.
Theravada Buddhists strive to become arhats, or perfected saints who have attained enlightenment and nirvana. Mahayana Buddhists, on the other hand, hope to become bodhisattvas, saints who have become enlightened but who unselfishly delay nirvana to help others attain it as well, as the Buddha did. Mahayana Buddhists teach that enlightenment can be attained in a single lifetime, and this can be accomplished even by a layperson.
No matter the school, Buddhism involves three main paths (sometimes called practices): renunciation, transformation and self-liberation. In Buddhist terminology, the path of renunciation is called Sutra; transformation is called Tantra; and self-liberation is called Dzogchen. Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, featured in the film, teaches all three paths and considers them to be alternative and compatible approaches rather than conflicting methods.
Photo caption: Chögyal Namkhai Norbu and his family
Part of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, Dzogchen is an ancient set of teachings and meditation practices intended to help participants achieve consciousness of the true nature of all beings. The teachings are known in English as "the great perfection" or "the path of self-liberation."
Part of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, Dzogchen is an ancient set of teachings and meditation practices intended to help participants achieve consciousness of the true nature of all beings. The teachings are known in English as "the great perfection" or "the path of self-liberation." Dzogchen is considered the most difficult path in Tibetan Buddhism. Dzogchen was traditionally kept secret in Tibet, and practiced only by the most advanced practitioners. When the Chinese invaded Tibet, many of the high masters of Dzogchen fled into exile and brought this secret tradition with them. The protagonist of the film My Reincarnation, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, fled Tibet in 1959, eventually ending up in Italy, where he worked as a professor at the University of Naples.
My Reincarnation offers a glimpse into the life of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu ,who is a master of the Dzogchen tradition. When he began teaching Dzogchen openly in the West in the mid-1970s, he was the first Buddhist teacher to do so. In 1981, he founded the first Dzogchen center in Italy's Tuscany region. Over the years, thousands of people from all over the world have become members of the Dzogchen community. Centers have been created in the United States, in various parts of Europe, in Latin America, in Russia and in Australia.
Photo caption: Chögyal Namkhai Norbu teaches while his son, Yeshi, looks on as Rinpoche gives teachers to thousands of local Kalmyks Credit: Zohe Film Productions, Inc.
Sources:
» An Oral Commentary to the text "The Precious Lamp: A Brief Explanation of the Three Paths of Liberation," Tashigar Norte, January 27 - February 4, 2006
Reincarnation
The wheel of life, or samsara, is an important symbol in Buddhism, because it represents the cycle of birth, life and death. According to Buddhism, the human soul never dies. Instead, it is reborn or reincarnated in a new form.
The wheel of life, or samsara, is an important symbol in Buddhism, because it represents the cycle of birth, life and death. According to Buddhism, the human soul never dies. Instead, it is reborn or reincarnated in a new form. This new form may be a human, animal or supernatural being. Many Buddhists believe this endless cycle of life and death, called reincarnation, is a domain of suffering and reflects the impermanence of existence. The ultimate goal is to escape from that suffering.
Buddhists also believe that good karma (a tendency toward positive thoughts and actions) may result in rebirth in a higher form. The consequences of bad karma (negative deeds) may lead to rebirth in a lower form. Buddhists believe that only through good karma and by overcoming greed, hatred and ignorance can they free themselves from the perpetual cycle of death and rebirth. At that point, they will become truly enlightened and reach the state of nirvana, which literally means "to extinguish."
In My Reincarnation, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu (the father, also known as Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche — rinpoche, "precious one" in Tibetan, is a title of respect reserved for Tibetan Buddhist masters) is recognized as the reincarnation of several renowned masters, including the Dharmaraja of Bhutan and Adzom Drukpa. Khyentse Yeshe (the son, originally known as Yeshi) is recognized as the reincarnation of his father's uncle, a famous Dzogchen master who died after the Chinese invaded Tibet.
Photo caption: Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in his favorite pastime, swimming in the water Credit: Zohe Film Productions, Inc.
Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhists believe in the awareness of death and impermanence. This awareness leads to a life guided by the pursuit of value rather than impermanent pleasures.
Christianity
Most mainstream Christians do not believe in reincarnation.
Hinduism
Hindus believe in a life cycle that includes many rebirths based on karma, which is the law of cause and effect. The next life is always based on the karma — good or bad — created in this life.
Islam
Muslims do not believe in reincarnation; instead they believe that heaven or hell is a final destination.
Judaism
Traditional Judaism believes that the dead will be resurrected. Olam Ha-Ba (the World to Come) refers to the spiritual afterlife. The messiah will come to create a peaceful and prosperous world, where the righteous dead will resurrect and the wicked dead will not.
Photo caption: Yeshi Namkhai watches a dance performed in his honor during his enthronement ceremony (as the reincarnation of Khyentse Rinpoche) Credit: Luigi Ottaviani
Buddhism has followers around the world and has been adapted to fit different societies. Merchants, traders and missionaries first brought Buddhism from North India to the rest of Asia. They also brought the religion to China via the Silk Road, and from China it spread to Korea, Japan and Tibet.
China's invasion of Tibet in 1950 led to a diaspora of the Tibetan people, which caused Tibetan Buddhism to spread quite widely. A number of prominent Buddhist teachers established centers of worship in Europe and North America. In My Reincarnation, Namkhai Norbu settles in Italy at the invitation of well-known professor of Eastern cultures Giuseppe Tucci. There, Norbu becomes a professor of Eastern studies at the University of Naples and does much to promote the spread of Tibetan culture in the West. He has written more than 100 books on Tibetan culture, history and spiritual practice, making him one of the world's foremost scholars on the subject and prompting the Dalai Lama to give him a gold pen to encourage him to write.
Chinese immigrants first brought Buddhism to the United States in the mid-19th century, but the religion gained a higher profile in the 1960s and 1970s, due to the Tibetan diaspora and growing interest in Eastern religions. Writers of the Beat Generation, such as Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg, brought Buddhism to the attention of a wider audience. Many contemporary celebrities and artists, including Leonard Cohen, Richard Gere, Herbie Hancock, Tina Turner and Alice Walker, have shared publicly the influence that Buddhism has had on their lives and work.
There are presently about 60,000 Buddhists in Italy (0.1% of the country's population). Estimates of the number of Buddhists in the United States range from 2,450,000 to 4 million.
Photo caption: Yeshi Namkhai teaching in Russia Credit: Kurmanguzhina Ainar
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My Reincarnation: In Context
POV
Introduction to Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy that originated in India around the sixth century B.C.E. It derived largely from the teachings of Shakyamuni (Siddhartha Gautama). Shakyamuni dedicated his life to finding the means to liberate people from the universal sufferings of life and develop spiritual strength.
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy that originated in India around the sixth century B.C.E. It derived largely from the teachings of Shakyamuni (Siddhartha Gautama). Shakyamuni dedicated his life to finding the means to liberate people from the universal sufferings of life and develop spiritual strength. His teachings were later compiled into scriptures (often called "sutras") and numerous schools of Buddhism were founded to teach those sutras. After Shakyamuni's death, his teachings spread from Northern Asia through Central and Southeast Asia and to China, Korea and Japan. The religion has played a significant role in Asian culture ever since. In the 20th century, Buddhism spread to the West. Today, an estimated 350 million people practice Buddhism around the world. It is the world's fourth largest religion.
The Basic Teachings
Buddhism includes a variety of beliefs and encompasses different schools. The major schools of Buddhism are Theravada, Mahayana, Vajrayana and Tibetan Buddhism. While each of these schools has its own distinct set of practices, some also incorporate teachings from other schools and branches. Tibetan Buddhism (sometimes called Lamaism) developed in Tibet and the surrounding Himalayas in the 7th century C.E. Tibetan Buddhism incorporates various philosophies (Madhyamika, Yogacara, Tantra, Theravadin and shamanistic elements from indigenous religions) and is distinguished by its vast number of deities and reincarnated lamas, who continue to teach and interpret the scriptures.
Theravada Buddhists strive to become arhats, or perfected saints who have attained enlightenment and nirvana. Mahayana Buddhists, on the other hand, hope to become bodhisattvas, saints who have become enlightened but who unselfishly delay nirvana to help others attain it as well, as the Buddha did. Mahayana Buddhists teach that enlightenment can be attained in a single lifetime, and this can be accomplished even by a layperson.
No matter the school, Buddhism involves three main paths (sometimes called practices): renunciation, transformation and self-liberation. In Buddhist terminology, the path of renunciation is called Sutra; transformation is called Tantra; and self-liberation is called Dzogchen. Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, featured in the film, teaches all three paths and considers them to be alternative and compatible approaches rather than conflicting methods.
Photo caption: Chögyal Namkhai Norbu and his family
Part of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, Dzogchen is an ancient set of teachings and meditation practices intended to help participants achieve consciousness of the true nature of all beings. The teachings are known in English as "the great perfection" or "the path of self-liberation."
Part of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, Dzogchen is an ancient set of teachings and meditation practices intended to help participants achieve consciousness of the true nature of all beings. The teachings are known in English as "the great perfection" or "the path of self-liberation." Dzogchen is considered the most difficult path in Tibetan Buddhism. Dzogchen was traditionally kept secret in Tibet, and practiced only by the most advanced practitioners. When the Chinese invaded Tibet, many of the high masters of Dzogchen fled into exile and brought this secret tradition with them. The protagonist of the film My Reincarnation, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu, fled Tibet in 1959, eventually ending up in Italy, where he worked as a professor at the University of Naples.
My Reincarnation offers a glimpse into the life of Chögyal Namkhai Norbu ,who is a master of the Dzogchen tradition. When he began teaching Dzogchen openly in the West in the mid-1970s, he was the first Buddhist teacher to do so. In 1981, he founded the first Dzogchen center in Italy's Tuscany region. Over the years, thousands of people from all over the world have become members of the Dzogchen community. Centers have been created in the United States, in various parts of Europe, in Latin America, in Russia and in Australia.
Photo caption: Chögyal Namkhai Norbu teaches while his son, Yeshi, looks on as Rinpoche gives teachers to thousands of local Kalmyks Credit: Zohe Film Productions, Inc.
Sources:
» An Oral Commentary to the text "The Precious Lamp: A Brief Explanation of the Three Paths of Liberation," Tashigar Norte, January 27 - February 4, 2006
Reincarnation
The wheel of life, or samsara, is an important symbol in Buddhism, because it represents the cycle of birth, life and death. According to Buddhism, the human soul never dies. Instead, it is reborn or reincarnated in a new form.
The wheel of life, or samsara, is an important symbol in Buddhism, because it represents the cycle of birth, life and death. According to Buddhism, the human soul never dies. Instead, it is reborn or reincarnated in a new form. This new form may be a human, animal or supernatural being. Many Buddhists believe this endless cycle of life and death, called reincarnation, is a domain of suffering and reflects the impermanence of existence. The ultimate goal is to escape from that suffering.
Buddhists also believe that good karma (a tendency toward positive thoughts and actions) may result in rebirth in a higher form. The consequences of bad karma (negative deeds) may lead to rebirth in a lower form. Buddhists believe that only through good karma and by overcoming greed, hatred and ignorance can they free themselves from the perpetual cycle of death and rebirth. At that point, they will become truly enlightened and reach the state of nirvana, which literally means "to extinguish."
In My Reincarnation, Chögyal Namkhai Norbu (the father, also known as Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche — rinpoche, "precious one" in Tibetan, is a title of respect reserved for Tibetan Buddhist masters) is recognized as the reincarnation of several renowned masters, including the Dharmaraja of Bhutan and Adzom Drukpa. Khyentse Yeshe (the son, originally known as Yeshi) is recognized as the reincarnation of his father's uncle, a famous Dzogchen master who died after the Chinese invaded Tibet.
Photo caption: Chögyal Namkhai Norbu in his favorite pastime, swimming in the water Credit: Zohe Film Productions, Inc.
Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhists believe in the awareness of death and impermanence. This awareness leads to a life guided by the pursuit of value rather than impermanent pleasures.
Christianity
Most mainstream Christians do not believe in reincarnation.
Hinduism
Hindus believe in a life cycle that includes many rebirths based on karma, which is the law of cause and effect. The next life is always based on the karma — good or bad — created in this life.
Islam
Muslims do not believe in reincarnation; instead they believe that heaven or hell is a final destination.
Judaism
Traditional Judaism believes that the dead will be resurrected. Olam Ha-Ba (the World to Come) refers to the spiritual afterlife. The messiah will come to create a peaceful and prosperous world, where the righteous dead will resurrect and the wicked dead will not.
Photo caption: Yeshi Namkhai watches a dance performed in his honor during his enthronement ceremony (as the reincarnation of Khyentse Rinpoche) Credit: Luigi Ottaviani
Buddhism has followers around the world and has been adapted to fit different societies. Merchants, traders and missionaries first brought Buddhism from North India to the rest of Asia. They also brought the religion to China via the Silk Road, and from China it spread to Korea, Japan and Tibet.
China's invasion of Tibet in 1950 led to a diaspora of the Tibetan people, which caused Tibetan Buddhism to spread quite widely. A number of prominent Buddhist teachers established centers of worship in Europe and North America. In My Reincarnation, Namkhai Norbu settles in Italy at the invitation of well-known professor of Eastern cultures Giuseppe Tucci. There, Norbu becomes a professor of Eastern studies at the University of Naples and does much to promote the spread of Tibetan culture in the West. He has written more than 100 books on Tibetan culture, history and spiritual practice, making him one of the world's foremost scholars on the subject and prompting the Dalai Lama to give him a gold pen to encourage him to write.
Chinese immigrants first brought Buddhism to the United States in the mid-19th century, but the religion gained a higher profile in the 1960s and 1970s, due to the Tibetan diaspora and growing interest in Eastern religions. Writers of the Beat Generation, such as Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg, brought Buddhism to the attention of a wider audience. Many contemporary celebrities and artists, including Leonard Cohen, Richard Gere, Herbie Hancock, Tina Turner and Alice Walker, have shared publicly the influence that Buddhism has had on their lives and work.
There are presently about 60,000 Buddhists in Italy (0.1% of the country's population). Estimates of the number of Buddhists in the United States range from 2,450,000 to 4 million.
Photo caption: Yeshi Namkhai teaching in Russia Credit: Kurmanguzhina Ainar
