ON BUDDHISM and FILMMAKING

​

What is the purpose of Buddhism? According to reincarnate scholar-saint Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche (at right, center, with Director Mark Elliott and Buddhist Monk Matthieu Ricard), it is “to make people understand the ultimate reality. In order to do that, you can employ all kinds of methods: meditation, film, art, music...”

What qualities are the most important for a filmmaker?

“Ah, well, you see, I’m brainwashed by the Buddhists, so I can only give you a Buddhist answer. But I think a filmmaker has a huge responsibility, and so they should have all the qualities that fit the Buddhist description of a perfect being—omniscient, omnipotent, compassionate, kind, patient, tolerant... Of course," he says, flashing a wicked grin, “you can’t have all that, but even if you have a little bit (even if you pretend to have a little bit), I think that would help..."