Watch Why Has Bodhi-Dharma Left for the East?

Why Has Bodhi-Dharma Left for the East? is a thought-provoking film that explores the nature of enlightenment, time, and existence. Directed by Bae Yong-Kyun, the movie was released in 1989 and was a critical success, winning numerous awards including the Grand Prix at the Tokyo International Film Festival. The story revolves around the lives of three monks living in a remote monastery in the Korean mountains. The first monk, Hae-Jin, is a young novice who is struggling to come to terms with the harsh realities of monastic life. He is constantly questioning the meaning of existence and the purpose of his own existence. The second monk, Sin Won-Sop, is an experienced practitioner who has spent many years meditating and seeking enlightenment. He is calm, wise, and patient, and serves as a mentor and guide to Hae-Jin.

The third monk, Bodhi-Dharma, is the oldest and most revered of the three. He has achieved a state of enlightenment that has eluded most practitioners, and his wisdom and insight serve as a source of inspiration for the other two monks. However, when the movie begins, Bodhi-Dharma has already left the monastery, and Hae-Jin and Sin Won-Sop are left to ponder the reason for his departure.

As the movie unfolds, we gain insight into the lives of the three monks and the challenges they face in their pursuit of enlightenment. We see Hae-Jin struggling to come to terms with his place in the monastery and his own impermanence. We see Sin Won-Sop meditating for hours on end, striving to achieve a state of pure awareness. And we see Bodhi-Dharma wandering through the mountains and valleys, engaging with the world in a way that is both profound and mysterious.

The movie is beautifully shot, with stunning landscapes and evocative imagery that capture the spiritual essence of the monks' lives. The dialogue is sparse and poetic, and the pacing is deliberate and meditative, evoking the stillness and tranquility of the monastic life.

At its core, Why Has Bodhi-Dharma Left for the East? is a movie about the nature of existence, time, and enlightenment. It asks profound questions about the meaning of life and the purpose of our existence, and offers no easy answers. Instead, it invites us to contemplate these questions for ourselves and to find our own path towards enlightenment.

Overall, Why Has Bodhi-Dharma Left for the East? is a beautiful and thought-provoking movie that will stay with you long after the credits have rolled. It is a true cinematic masterpiece, and a must-see for anyone interested in the intersection of spirituality and film.