Analyzes a 1989 movie "Why Bodhidharma has Left for the East: A Zen Fable" ("Dharmaga tongjoguro kan kkadalgun"), written and directed by Yong-Kyun Bae.
Abstract This paper explains that "Why Bodhidharma has Left for the East: A Zen Fable", written and directed by Yong-Kyun Bae, is a very profound artistic description of both inner beliefs and individual approaches to enlightenment and, externally, of the relationships formed between individuals. The author describes the ways this internal vs. external framework is playing throughout the movie by emphasizing different perspectives, which underscore some of the essential characteristics of the three characters, especially the Zen master Hyegok. The "Ten Bulls" pictures of the Zen tradition, which reflect the steps in the path to enlightenment, the paper relates, are a good fit with the stages each of the characters in the movie achieve.
From the Paper "On the other hand, Hae Jin has accidentally killed a bird at some point. While this may seem as a reasonably unimportant fact, in the Buddhist mythology, because of the constant reincarnation process, killing a bird may mean killing a human soul who has reincarnated in the bird. It is small, real elements like this that keep the characters' human consciousness alert and unable to yet make the final step towards enlightenment with a final departing from the real world. "
Tags: bulls, zen, stages, framework, enlightenment
Abstract Comprehension of Confucius's ideas opens the door to understanding the philosophical reasoning of other Chinese principles, such as the martial art known as Kung Fu. The paper shows the message that seems to be extolled in "gong fu", or Kung Fu, is that there is a way, path, or message that, if followed, will lead to happiness and Heaven. This is a Buddhist philosophy and an integral component to the disciplines of Zen Buddhism, as well as the martial art of Shaolin Kung Fu. The paper explains that, while Kung Fu is considered a martial art, and, as such, deals with the physical realities of learning to defend oneself, it is also a component of a spiritual or religious sect. It shows, therefore, that the tenets of Confucianism cannot be separated from the art of Kung Fu.
From the Paper "It is only by going 'outside oneself' that a person is able to overcome the restrictions of suffering and to reach Nirvana. Kung Fu embraces an understanding of reason, modeled on the natural world, which equates spiritual attainment with the successful manipulation of nature and natural phenomenon."
