Buddhistdoor: Finding Excellence, By Joseph Houseal

1. http://www.buddhistdoor.net/features/finding-excellence-part-1-of-course-they-donrsquot-talk-about-it

2. https://www.buddhistdoor.net/features/finding-excellence-part-2-a-tradition-of-transmission

Finding Excellence

By Joseph Houseal

Researching endangered dance traditions as I do, it is usual to chronicle the problems, challenges of discovery, along with the qualities of vanishing practices. So it was with delight and surprise, during fieldwork in the eastern tribal areas of Himachal Pradesh this summer, that we encountered a number of monasteries where Cham dance practice remains strong, vibrant, and firmly rooted in tantric visualization realization practice—examples of excellence that serve everyone, today and tomorrow.

Buddhism Documentary - Representing the Buddha Bhante Anandajoti

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7J4KbR2tIo

Buddhism Documentary - Representing the Buddha Bhante Anandajoti

Published on Sep 23, 2015

Buddhism Documentary - Representing the Buddha Bhante Anandajoti 

CCTV, Dunhuang Caves (1-8)

http://dharma-documentaries.net/dunhuang-historys-heavenly-stage-flying-apsaras-1-of-8

Posted by Anandajoti on Monday, 28th July, 2014

This is the first of an eight-part series by China Central Television (CCTV) on the interplay between the murals in the Mogao Caves and contemporary art in China.

The caves house one of the largest art collections in the world, and they contain an enormous amount of historical information about dress, musical instruments and many other social artifacts.

In the modern period painters and dancers have been inspired by the caves and have dedicated much of their time to recreating their work based on the inspiration the caves provide.

The first of the series focuses on the apsaras (angels or heavenly maidens) that are found in many of the murals in the caves from all ages.

The caves were about 1,000 years in the making and art styles changed during that time, so we see in this film how the ways of depicting the apsaras changed and became more delicate.

We also have interviews with leading experts in the field to find out background information on the caves, and with artists who have been fascinated by the murals and looked to them when creating new works today.

CCTV, Dunhuang Caves

·         Dunhuang, History’s Heavenly Stage, Flying Apsaras (1 of 8)

·         Dunhuang, History’s Heavenly Stage, Playing the Pipa Behind the Back (2 of 8)

·         Dunhuang, History’s Heavenly Stage, Exotic Music and Dance (3 of 8)

·         Dunhuang, Reviving the Heavenly Music (4 of 8)

·         Dunhuang, Costumes in the Dunhuang Caves (5 of 8)

·         Dunhuang, The Heavenly Dance (6 of 8)

·         Dunhuang, Lost Music of the Stone Chamber (7 of 8)

·         Dunhuang, Soul of the Dances (8 of 8)

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The Japan News: Kyoto Hidden Stories / Moss temple shows hand of man and nature

http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0002279073

The Japan News: Kyoto Hidden Stories / Moss temple shows hand of man and nature

By Yasuhiko Mori / Yomiuri Shimbun Senior WriterSaihoji temple in Kyoto’s Nishikyo Ward is better known as Kokedera (Temple of moss). Beyond its gate, the grounds are covered in moss like a green carpet measuring about 30,000 square meters. A place like this can hardly be created overnight, so how did this garden come to be?

Ultraculture: Here’s a Comic Book Guide to the Tibetan Buddhist Afterlife

http://ultraculture.org/blog/2015/04/09/tibetan-buddhist-afterlife-bardo-comix/

Ultraculture: Here’s a Comic Book Guide to the Tibetan Buddhist Afterlife

by Jason Louv

This brilliant comic explains the Bardo, the intermediary period between life and death, and what Tibetan Buddhists think happens to you after death

According to Tibetan Buddhists, the bardo is the intermediary stage between death and rebirth—where a soul who has just left its body experiences a hyper-vsoul ivid “virtual reality” where its life flashes before its eyes, and it gets to witness first-hand the karma it has accumulated during that lifetime. The Nyingma school of Tibet teaches that this period lasts 49 days, during which time the just-passed individual must come to grips with the life they’ve just lived and prepare for the next one, which will be determined not only by their prior karma but by their actions in the bardo.

Victoria & Albert Museum : Buddhism

http://www.vam.ac.uk/page/b/buddhism/

Victoria & Albert Museum : Buddhism

Ten Famous Buddha Rupas

http://buddhism.about.com/od/iconsofbuddhism/ss/Ten-Famous-Buddhas-Where-They-Came-From-What-They-Represent.htm#step-heading

Ten Famous Buddha Rupas

Dharma Documentaries

http://dharma-documentaries.net/

Dharma Documentaries 

Dharma, Culture, Ecology

V&A (London) Buddhist Resources

http://www.vam.ac.uk/page/b/buddhist-pilgrimage/
http://www.vam.ac.uk/page/b/buddhism

V&A (London) Buddhist Resources

Holkhongam Haokip - A 3 part series on Buddhism in Manipur

Holkhongam Haokip - A 3 part series on Buddhism in Manipur

Buddhism in Manipur :: Part 1

Buddhism in Manipur :: Part 2

Japanese Buddhist Statues Japanology Plus ( 仏教 )

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcSoWaNqJms

Japanese Buddhist Statues Japanology Plus ( 仏教 )

Published on Mar 25, 2015

Japanese Buddhist Statues Japanology Plus ( 仏教 ) Japanese Buddhist statues come in countless shapes and forms, and they are not just objects of prayer but also meticulously crafted works of art in their own right. When Buddhism reached Japan.

Video Link : Whether it's learning about a traditional custom, or a newly popular sport, people in Japan. Video Link : Sports days are all-day athletic meets held annually at schools in Japan.

Japanese Buddhist Statues Japanology Plus ( 仏教 ) Japanese Buddhist statues come in countless shapes and forms, and they are not just objects of prayer but also meticulously crafted works.

Life and Devotion in the Kannon Villages (English subtitles)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FF69e4uRf0I

Life and Devotion in the Kannon Villages (English subtitles)

Published on Jan 16, 2015

Kannon (観音) is among the most revered boddhisattva deities in Japanese Buddhism and is often kept as the main object of worship at temples around Kyoto, Nara, and other historic areas of this central region such as Nagahama.

Embodying both a geographic and cultural crossroads in the heart of Japan, Nagahama City encompasses several traditional villages surrounding the northern coast of Lake Biwa, a region known as Kohoku (lake’s north side). Here in these communities, we find the continuation of a unique and centuries-old tradition to preserve the Kannon.

Known as a caring protector, Kannon gives but also receives protection from these villages as they pass the deity statues down from generation to generation with gratitude and devotion that has lasted since medieval times. See how the spirit of traditional Japan lives on even today in these communities.

Nishi Hongwanji Temple (HQ of the Jodo-shin Buddhism

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_s0d08wIO_Y

Nishi Hongwanji Temple (HQ of the Jodo-shin Buddhism

Published on Oct 29, 2014

We visited the Nihshi Hongwanji Temple on Nov 25, 2011 as a part of the course on `Introduction to Japanese Religion` which is provided for the Institute for the Liberal Arts (ILA), Doshisha University. Rev. Gene Sekiya, a Hongwanji priest, guided us. In this movie he talked about the essence of Buddhism, especially Jodo-shin Buddhism, and escorted us to the Hall of Amida, the Founder`s Hall, the Shoin Complex, the Kara Gate and the Flying Cloud Pavilion.The Shin Buddhist path was founded by Shinran Shonin (1173-1263) during the Kamakura period, and in several centuries grew into one of the largest and most influential schools of Buddhism in Japan, a position it maintains today. The Hongwanji temple is the headquarters of the Hongwanji denomination of Shin Buddhism (Jodo Shinshu Hongwanji-ha), and is known as Nishi (lit. `West`) Hongwanji.

Japan Spirit and Form #3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_omLao8rzs4

Japan Spirit and Form #3

Published on Oct 26, 2014

#3: Discovery of the “Pure Land” This episode looks at the Kamakura Period of Japanese history (12th-14th centuries) and the ways Buddhism of the time influenced so much of the art of the period, particularly statues of Buddha, statues of prominent monks, painted scenes reflecting Buddhist beliefs, and a new kind of portrait painting that emerged during that period. Temples in Japan that are visited include: Todaiji, Jingoji, Higashi Honganji and Sanjusangendo, with its rows of statues of Kannon. Monks referenced include Chogen, Zendo Daishi, Ikkyu Sojun and Shinran. We see contemporary artists at work, including Shiko Munakata, a woodblock artist. Shuichi Kato comments from time to time and points out the influence of Japanese monk portraits on a much later school of European artists, most notably Vincent Van Gogh. Ashley Thom provides the English narration. Akira Mitake composed the music. This series is an NHK production from 1989.

BEGIN Japanology - Japanese Tea Ceremony 茶道

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHDhjVd1XX0

BEGIN Japanology - Japanese Tea Ceremony 茶道 

Published on Oct 25, 2014

The Japanese tea ceremony is a special way of making green tea (matcha 抹茶). It is called the Way of Tea. It is a Japanese cultural activity involving the ceremonial preparation and presentation of matcha, powdered tea. People who study the tea ceremony have to learn about different kinds of tea. They also have to learn about kimono (Japanese clothes), flowers, and many other things. It takes much practice to learn the tea ceremony. Zen Buddhism was a primary influence in the development of the Japanese tea ceremony.

- Wikipedia

On this edition of BEGIN Japanology our theme is Tea Ceremony.

For more please visit NHK World.

 

NHK: Japanese Buddhist Statues - Japanology Plus ( 仏教 )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9W2IDzGRAo

Japanese Buddhist Statues - Japanology Plus ( 仏教 )  

Published on Oct 19, 2014

Japanese Buddhist statues come in countless shapes and forms, and they are not just objects of prayer but also meticulously crafted works of art in their own right. When Buddhism reached Japan in the mid-6th century, religious statuary came with it, and in thickly forested Japan, the statues began to be made mostly in wood. This time on Japanology Plus, we explore the deep appeal of Buddhist statues with our expert guest Yasumi Miyazawa. And in Plus One, keeping the Buddhas in your own home.

For more please visit NHK World.

John Lobell Buddhist Architecture

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKj3T_N1H3w

John Lobell Buddhist Architecture  

Published on Sep 25, 2014

http://johnlobell.com Lecture for Non-Western Architecture course at Pratt Institute, Fall 2014

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ArteRicerca: BUDDHISM between ART and WORSHIP

http://www.artericerca.com/Articoli%20Online/Buddhismo.htm
(select English) 

BUDDHISM between ART and WORSHIP

Buddhism, in its spread from India, embracing twenty-five centuries of history and dozens of cultures in the world is an artistic and cultural heritage of incomparable variety and vastness. 

Table of Contents:

Birth of Buddhism Propagation of Buddhism Buddhism in Burma Buddhism in Cambodia Buddhism in China Buddhism in Korea Buddhism in Japan Buddhism in Laos Buddhism in Mongolia Buddhism in Siam Buddhism in Tibet Buddhism and Hinduism Taoism

Confucianism Buddhism, religion or philosophy? The Buddha Buddhism in mythology The representations in Buddhism Art Buddhist and Hindu art The practice of Dharma The Four Noble Truths The Eightfold Path The attachment The Tibetan Book of the Dead Buddhist Symbols Bibliography

 

V&A Buddhism Reading List per Country

http://www.vam.ac.uk/page/b/buddhism-reading-lists/

V&A Buddhism Reading List per Country

Victoria and Albert Museum: Buddhist Resources

http://www.vam.ac.uk/page/b/buddhism/

http://www.vam.ac.uk/page/b/buddhist-pilgrimage

Victoria and Albert Museum: Buddhist Resources