This two-part series explores ancient teachings on death and dying. It was filmed over a four-month period on location in the Himalayas where the original text still yields an essential influence over people’s views of life and death. Narrated by Leonard Cohen, Part 1: “A Way of life” is a path-breaking documentary containing remarkable footage of the rites and liturgies surrounding and following the death of a Ladakhi elder. The Dalai Lama explains his own feelings about death, while other scenes within a palliative care hospice in San Francisco depict the use of the texts to counsel dying patients. This film, by revealing ancient teachings on how to think about death and dying, can be a valuable source of counsel and comfort.
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How to watch
Collection
In ACMI's collection
Credits
Collection metadata
ACMI Identifier
307456
Language
English
Audience classification
G
Subject categories
Anthropology, Ethnology, Exploration & Travel → Religion
Documentary → Documentary films - Canada
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Buddhism
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Counseling
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Death
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Death - Religious aspects
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Religion
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Religions
Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Religion & Sociology → Zen buddhism
Education, Instruction, Teaching & Schools → Counseling
Family, Gender Identity, Relationships & Sexuality → Death - Religious aspects
Family, Gender Identity, Relationships & Sexuality → Grief
Food, Health, Lifestyle, Medicine, Psychology & Safety → Alternative medicine
Food, Health, Lifestyle, Medicine, Psychology & Safety → Counseling
Food, Health, Lifestyle, Medicine, Psychology & Safety → Death
Food, Health, Lifestyle, Medicine, Psychology & Safety → Death - Religious aspects
Food, Health, Lifestyle, Medicine, Psychology & Safety → Grief
Food, Health, Lifestyle, Medicine, Psychology & Safety → Health
Sound/audio
Sound
Colour
Colour
Holdings
VHS; Access Print (Section 1)