Learn from the Team

Unleash Your Intuitive Knowledge

One might wonder, how does expert Buddhist practitioners lead their lives? Would it be realistic in pragmatic sense? On this page, you will find some videos on several well-known gurus in Buddhist history. Keep in mind that the videos reflect contexts that may be different from the contemporary world, yet the underlying values could be as applicable depending on your own interpretations.

While you watch the videos, consider evaluating your own judgments and/or reactions while envisioning yourself as the protagonist.
Some questions that could be useful to your learning are presented below.

  • How is the protagonist (Buddhist guru) significantly "different from" and/or "similar to" laypeople? How is s/he significantly "different from" and/or "similar to" me?
  • Could the differences/similarities contribute to some desirable outcomes that align with my own personal values? Exactly what are these attributes? How do they matter to me?
  • What has been holding me back to realize attributes that matter most to me?

You should generate your own questions--and of course keep them in your journal. These questions can serve you well as you monitor your own progress in meditation practice.

Movie Links

Upon clicking the links, you are likely to encounter some advertisements prior to the movies.

The First Patriarch Zen Master Bodhidharma

[ Part 1 - 42:47 min ] [ Part 2 - 48:54 min ]

  • Why does Bodhidharma decide to become a Buddhist practitioner?
  • Why is Prajnatara asking Bodhidharma to build a hut before accepting him as a disciple?
  • Why does Bodhidharma destroy his painstakingly-built hut in the end?
  • Does Huike finally find the answer he has been looking for?
  • How does Huike express his gratitude to meet with Bodhidharma?
  • Why does Bodhidharma let the bandit shoot him with fiery arrows and burn him to death?
  • How would the bandit feel by shooting Bodhidharma? Can you put yourself in his position?
  • Are you aware of any shifts in your expectations / interpretations / conclusions while watching the entire movie? What are they? How and why?

The Sixth Patriarch Zen Master Huineng

[ Part 1 - 48:15 min ] [ Part 2 - 44:47 min ]

  • What do people in the temple assume the prerequisite to attain Buddhahood?
  • Does Huineng satisfy this presumptive requirement?
  • Why does Huineng's reply to the monk's poetry on the wall suprise the abbot?
  • Why and how does Huineng endure various humiliations and physical harms from the bandits?
  • Do you think it is wise of Huineng to pretend nothing harm has been done to him and still be kind to the bandits?
  • What enables Huineng act differently from other people in face of adversities?
  • Why does Huineng leave the group of bandits?
  • Are you aware of any shifts in your expectations / interpretations / conclusions while watching the entire movie? What are they? How and why?