Search Buddhist Channel
Buddhist film festival seeks peace of the action
France24, May16, 2007
Singapore -- While mainstream film festivals promote a diet of glitz, glamour and hoards of cash, a Buddhist version makes its Asian debut here Thursday seeking to engender world peace and prosperity.
Organisers of the International Buddhist Film Festival said they would use drama, comedy, documentary -- and episodes of "The Simpsons" -- to stimulate reflection, dialogue and harmony.
And unlike other festivals, this one will not be handing out any awards.
Films from six countries will be shown at the festival in Singapore, which runs to Sunday, including three making their Asian premieres.
Bhavna Vedhara, executive director of the local organising committee, said the festival aimed "to encourage conscious thought through contemporary and provocative reflections on Buddhist ideas, using the very potent medium, that of film."
Similar Buddhist film festivals have taken place in Los Angeles, New York and the Netherlands.
The Singapore organisers said they wanted to promote inter-faith dialogue and the values of "peace, harmony and prosperity."
"Many of the film-makers aren't Buddhists," the IBFF's executive director Gaetano Kazuo Maida said.
"They're artists exploring issues and ideas that are in alignment with many of the wisdom traditions that value compassion. These films can change the way people see the world."
One of the productions making its Asian premiere is a documentary "How to Cook Your Life," where San Francisco chef and Zen priest Edward Brown explores principles of Zen Buddhism and how they relate to the preparation of food and life itself.
Among comedic offerings are Buddhist-themed episodes from the hit US series "The Simpsons" and "King of the Hill."
Chinese film-maker Zhang Yang's "Shower" is a bittersweet comedy set in the outskirts of modern Beijing. It tells the story of a prodigal son who returns home to care for relatives while being forced to confront a modernising China.
Three of the films have earned prizes elsewhere, including "Shower", which won the best director and best film awards at the 2000 Seattle Film Festival.
Organisers said the festival will be held every two years and they plan to bring it to other parts of Asia as well.
Productions from Bhutan, Canada, China, Germany, the Netherlands and the United States will be featured in Singapore.
If you go
Asian Buddhist Film Festival
Lido Cinema, Shaw House, Orchard Road, Singapore
May 17-21, 2007
Official website: http://www.asianbuddhistfilmfest.org/
Related story: Projecting Buddhism
Films reviewed:
Fellow "Travellers & Magicians" of Samsara Give a Timely "Shower" of Love Some Words on "Words of My Perfect Teacher" "How to Cook Your Life" with Raw & Refined Mindfulness Is "The Cup" Half Empty or Half Full?
Buddhist AI Chat Bot NORBU!
(Neural Operator for Responsible Buddhist Understanding)
For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:
Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118
Note: Please indicate your name in the payment slip. Thank you.
Dear Friends in the Dharma,
We seek your generous support to help us train NORBU, the word's first Buddhist AI Chat Bot.
Here are some ways you can contribute to this noble cause:
One-time Donation or Loan: A single contribution, regardless of its size, will go a long way in helping us reach our goal and make the Buddhist LLM a beacon of wisdom for all.
How will your donation / loan be used? Download the NORBU White Paper for details.
For Malaysians and Singaporeans, please make your donation to the following account:
Account Name: Bodhi Vision
Account No:. 2122 00000 44661
Bank: RHB
The SWIFT/BIC code for RHB Bank Berhad is: RHBBMYKLXXX
Address: 11-15, Jalan SS 24/11, Taman Megah, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Phone: 603-9206 8118
Note: Please indicate your purpose of payment (loan or donation) in the payment slip. Thank you.
Once payment is banked in, please send the payment slip via email to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv. Your donation/loan will be published and publicly acknowledged on the Buddhist Channel.
Spread the Word: Share this initiative with your friends, family and fellow Dharma enthusiasts. Join "Friends of Norbu" at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/norbuchatbot. Together, we can build a stronger community and create a positive impact on a global scale.
Volunteer: If you possess expertise in AI, natural language processing, Dharma knowledge in terms of Buddhist sutras in various languages or related fields, and wish to lend your skills, please contact us. Your knowledge and passion could be invaluable to our project's success.
Your support is part of a collective effort to preserve and disseminate the profound teachings of Buddhism. By contributing to the NORBU, you become a "virtual Bodhisattva" to make Buddhist wisdom more accessible to seekers worldwide.
Thank you for helping to make NORBU a wise and compassionate Buddhist Chatbot!
May you be blessed with inner peace and wisdom,
With deepest gratitude,
Kooi F. Lim
On behalf of The Buddhist Channel Team
Note: To date, we have received the following contributions for NORBU:
US$ 75 from Gary Gach (Loan)
US$ 50 from Chong Sim Keong
MYR 300 from Wilson Tee
MYR 500 from Lim Yan Pok
MYR 50 from Oon Yeoh
MYR 200 from Ooi Poh Tin
MYR 300 from Lai Swee Pin
MYR 100 from Ong Hooi Sian
MYR 1,000 from Fam Sin Nin
MYR 500 from Oh teik Bin
MYR 300 from Yeoh Ai Guat
MYR 300 from Yong Lily
MYR 50 from Bandar Utama Buddhist Society
MYR 1,000 from Chiam Swee Ann
MYR 1,000 from Lye Veei Chiew
MYR 1,000 from Por Yong Tong
MYR 80 from Lee Wai Yee
MYR 500 from Pek Chee Hen
MYR 300 from Hor Tuck Loon
MYR 1,000 from Wise Payments Malaysia Sdn Bhd
MYR 200 from Teo Yen Hua
MYR 500 from Ng Wee Keat
MYR 10,000 from Chang Quai Hung, Jackie (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from K. C. Lim & Agnes (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from Juin & Jooky Tan (Loan)
MYR 100 from Poh Boon Fong (on behalf of SXI Buddhist Students Society)
MYR 10,000 from Fam Shan-Shan (Loan)
MYR 10,000 from John Fam (Loan)
MYR 500 from Phang Cheng Kar
MYR 100 from Lee Suat Yee
MYR 500 from Teo Chwee Hoon (on behalf of Lai Siow Kee)
MYR 200 from Mak Yuen Chau
We express our deep gratitude for the support and generosity.
If you have any enquiries, please write to: editor@buddhistchannel.tv