The Four Noble Truths

In July 1996, the 14th Dalai Lama spoke to an audience representing 26 different Buddhist traditions at London's Barbican Hall. A man without a country (along with 120,000 other Tibetans) for the past half century, the Dalai Lama is considered the head of state for the Tibetan government in exile, a modern-day deity and world spiritual leader, a celebrity and pop icon, and a soft-spoken gentle soul. Sitting, center stage, lotus style, with translator Thubten Jinpa close at hand, His Holiness meticulously expounds upon the four noble truths related to suffering that are the foundation of Buddhism, the necessity of "duhkha" (painful experience), the meaning of "karma" (which is a process of intentional action--not the “bad karma” that some people supposedly attract), and the concept of “fundamental confusion,” offering insights into states of consciousness, rebirth, and nirvana. Although his teachings are complex (all the more so, given the language barrier and translation issues), viewers moderately versed in Eastern philosophy and Buddhism will find much to reflect upon in this excellent, comprehensive, six-hour program. The DVD includes the transcript, accessible through a computer's DVD-ROM drive. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: C, P. (N. Plympton)