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Buddhism permeates popular culture worldwide - we speak casually of good
parking karma, Samsara is a perfume, and Nirvana is a rock band. A
recent survey by Germany's Der Spiegel revealed that Germans like the
Dalai Lama more than their native-born Pope Benedict XVI; the biggest
Buddhist monastery outside of Asia is in France, and Tibetan Buddhism is
doubling its numbers faster than any other religion in Australia and the U.S.A. How did this happen?
Crazy Wisdom explores this through the story of Chogyam Trungpa, the
brilliant "bad boy of Buddhism," who was pivotal in bringing Tibetan
Buddhism to the West. Trungpa shattered our preconceived notions about
how an enlightened teacher should behave. Born in Tibet, recognized as
an exceptional reincarnate lama and trained in the rigorous monastic
tradition, Trungpa fled his homeland during the Chinese Communist
invasion. In Britain, realizing a cultural gap prevented his students
from any deep understanding of Buddhism, he renounced his vows, eloped
with a sixteen year-old, and lived as a westerner. In the U.S., he
openly drank alcohol and had intimate relations with students. Was this
crazy wisdom?
Trungpa landed in the U.S. in 1970 and legend has
it that he said to his students: "Take me to your poets." He drew a
following of the country's prominent avant-garde artists, spiritual
teachers, and intellectuals - including R.D. Laing, John Cage, Ram Dass,
and Pema Chodron. Poet Allen Ginsberg considered Trungpa his guru;
Catholic priest Thomas Merton wanted to write a book with him; music
icon Joni Mitchell wrote a song about him. Trungpa became renowned for
translating ancient Buddhist concepts into language and ideas that
Westerners could understand. Humor was always a part of his teaching -
"Enlightenment is better than Disneyland," he quipped, and he warned of
the dangers of the "Western spiritual supermarket."
Trungpa's
work contributed to a radical cultural shift that brought Tibetan
Buddhism to hungry Western audiences, disillusioned with the violence
and materialism in their own world. How did Americans, dedicated to the
relentless pursuit of success, come to embrace the philosophy of a
teacher who taught them to meditate for hours at a time without
expecting anything in return?
Initially judged harshly by the
Tibetan establishment, Trungpa's teachings are now recognized by western
philosophers and spiritual leaders, including the Dalai Lama, as
authentic and profound. Today, twenty years after his death, Trungpa's
books have been translated into thirty-one languages and sell worldwide
in millions. His organization thrives in thirty countries and five
continents. Yet Trungpa's name still evokes admiration and outrage.
What made him tick, and just what is crazy wisdom anyway?
Directed by Johanna Demetrakas. 89 minutes plus bonus features on dvd.
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LIST PRICE: $29.95 Our Price: $25.45 (You save $4.50)
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Stock Status:In Stock
Product Code: S-331
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1.800.331.7751
