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Poster for The Buddha

The Buddha

Seen it?

2010 | 120 min | Documentary

Monday Morning Maybeearly rating

Why it’s a Monday Morning Maybe

With almost no lasting buzz and soft box office, this one could be a tough watch. Keep your phone handy.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Best for the curious. Expect to bring it up in conversation afterwards.
The mood
Eye-opening.
The pace
Moves through the story clearly, at 2 hr.
What might put you off
Skip it if you want made-up drama tonight.

This documentary for PBS by award-winning filmmaker David Grubin and narrated by Richard Gere, tells the story of the Buddha’s life, a journey especially relevant to our own bewildering times of violent change and spiritual confusion. It features the work of some of the world’s greatest artists and sculptors, who across two millennia, have depicted the Buddha’s life in art rich in beauty and complexity. Hear insights into the ancient narrative by contemporary Buddhists, including Pulitzer Prize winning poet W.S. Merwin and His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Join the conversation and learn more about meditation, the history of Buddhism, and how to incorporate the Buddha’s teachings on compassion and mindfulness into daily life.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsNot counted

    Not enough reviews on record yet

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsBelow par

    Nominated for 1 Emmy.

  • Reach & staying powerBelow par

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactWeak

    About 5K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by David Grubin

  • Richard GereNarrator
  • Blair BrownNarrator
  • Tenzin GyatsoSelf
  • Mark EpsteinSelf - Psychiatrist / Author
  • William Stanley MerwinSelf - Poet