Filmmaker Edward A. Burger invites us on a journey few Westerners conceive and even fewer complete. Deep in the wilderness of the Zhongnan Mountains of China’s Shaanxi province is a congregation of hermits, living away from the cities to properly contemplate the meanings of the sutras. Driven by a deep desire to understand Buddhism, Edward and a handful of friends make their way to China to seek the teachings of these many masters.
Scattered among the woods, they find and document a number of practitioners including nameless monks, a stalwart nun, and a group of students following the teachings of a long-time resident of the mountains. Each story is different but each holds special interest for those interested in the practices of Buddhism. Many of the recluses are surprisingly happy to teach and share with the curious intruders, but a few show distaste at the filmmaker’s presence. In the end, The Mountain Path offers a well-rounded and personal view of the practices of traditional aesthetic Buddhism in modern China.
As an undergraduate, I nearly earned a minor in Asian studies because of my interest in Buddhism, making this film especially interesting for me. Edward Burger embarks on a journey I wish I could have taken, scouring the mountains to learn the teachings of Zhongnan’s hermit monks and find medieval poetry carved into stones and cliff faces. The nature on display is breathtaking—though called an illusion by one monk—and the teachings of the many aesthetic practitioners are valuable and intriguing. Some simply share their survival methods while others elucidate the secrets of the sutras.
There are only two issues with this film: The pacing is very slow—one might call it meditative—and the soundtrack sometimes seems confusingly ominous. If these issues were on their own I wouldn’t even mention them. Together, however, they provide a perfect recipe for dozing. Consider this when selecting The Mountain Path for classroom use. Highly Recommended.
What public and academic library shelves does this title belong on?
The Mountain Path belongs on Buddhism and philosophy documentary shelves.
What type of college instructors would be interested in this title?
Instructors of comparative religions, philosophy, Asian studies, and Buddhism will find the most use in The Mountain Path.