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Yatra is the Sanskrit word for pilgrimage or spiritual journey. These three visually stunning documentaries are cinematic pilgrimages to legendary places in Southeast Asia and Tibet, including the spiritual wonders of Laos, Thailand, Burma, Bali, Cambodia, Java and Central Tibet.

Journey into the living traditions and lost civilizations of this vibrant part of the world and explore the universal ideals of wisdom, compassion and inner peace at the very heart of these ancient Buddhist cultures.

The living presence of place is the primary focus of these lyrical films which are meditations themselves. Their deliberate pacing, unobtrusive narration, indigenous music and harmonic chants are designed to induce an inner journey while traveling to these legendary places. Viewers are invited to relax and let the experience wash over them, making the trilogy part of their own journey.

Dharma River: Take a timeless journey through legendary rivers to the greatest Buddhist temples and mystical sites of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. This is the first documentary in John Bush's Yatra trilogy, which World Movie Reviews called "a spiritual film with a big heart that dazzles with amazing imagery" and "an illuminating meditation" by Variety.

Prajna Earth: Explore the lost civilization of Angkor in Cambodia, the magnificent Angkor Wat temple and Bali's sacred landscapes. Narrated by Sharon Stone, the trilogy's second film also shares trance dancers in the jungles of Java and the gigantic seven level mandala mountain of Borobudur and is described as "inducing an inner journey" by Asia Society, New York.

Vajra Sky Over Tibet: This stunning pilgrimage, "beautifully shot in Tibet's most sacred sites" as described by Variety, received the blessing of the Dalai Lama and bears witness to the indomitable faith of the Tibetan Buddhist community and the imminent threat to its very survival. Travel through breathtaking Himalayan terrain, in this third film of John Bush's Yatra Trilogy.

Producer: John Bush
Production Company: Direct Pictures
Copyright Year: 2005
Rating: TV-G
Director: John Bush
Narrator: John Bush, Sharon Stone, Dadon, Tenzin L. Choegyal
Writers: John Bush
Number of Discs: 3
Length: 255 minutes
Number of Episodes: 3

Customer Reviews

4.9 11 Reviews

11 Reviews

C

Cmuir

07/17/20

Exquisitely beautiful, spiritually alive

I am still arriving back from this incredible journey. The 3 dvds let filmmaker John Bush reveal this epic journey over 4.5 hours while visiting the most amazing temples, villages, caves, mountains and rivers in so many different places in Asia. I was particularly moved by the Burma and Tibet segments as there is so much difficulty there, while the people are so beautiful and their cause is so just. These are not the usual talking heads type documentaries but more intuitive,spontaneous and revealing. We follow the camera into rare and seldom seen places and hear the legends and spiritual significance of each place. I was particularly impressed by the music which seemed very well suited to each scene and added to the dramatic structure. David Hykes harmonic chants are hypnotic. There is a huge amount of the local music that is extraordinary and which I have never heard before. Each dvd has two viewing choices - with a narrator and with just music and sound. I look forward to this one. While I know something about Buddhism I was relieved that the films do not have any sectarian biases - you do not have to be a Buddhist to get what John Bush is offering here. He presents it all in an informed but universal way that is quite engaging. There is something noble in seeing the grandeur and simplicity of these Asian venues dedicated to nothing but the discovery of wisdom compassion. The voiceover narration works fine - I would have preferred to hear the people speak sometimes, but I guess it would have to be translated anyway. All in all it is a remarkable way to see so much of spiritual Asia in a short amount of time. I truly recommend this set.

A

Anne

07/17/20

Journey into Southeast Asian Buddhism

I am sure this must be a good product as I saw part of it on TV when bps showed air earlier. I purchased it for my grand-daughter, so I have not opened it as it will be a birthday gift, if I can find a way of getting it changed for use in England. Otherwise, I shall keep it and see it myself and let her see it when she comes to visit me sometime.

J

Julia S.

07/17/20

PRAISE FOR THIS TRILOGY...

Viewers will be awed by this luminous world. MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, BOSTON--- I wish this film every success. THE DALAI LAMA --- These films are not to be missed explorations of a mysterious, peaceful, and threatened world that you will not soon forget. BELIEFNET--- There is amazing music and of course the films are just terrific visually as well...more like a visual meditation. NATIONAL PUBLIC RADIO--- Dont miss this dazzling glimpse of a sacred world. DANIEL GOLEMAN, author--- Offers up the mesmerizing beauty and ineffable power of places most of us will never see. TRICYCLE--- Bushs stunning camera work adroitly captures the majestic landscapes and icons of Buddhism. VILLAGE VOICE--- This visual feast transports us into the ancient yet timeless mystic East in a way that goes beyond place and time to touch the eternal. LAMA SURYA DAS--- John Bushs work is eye-opening and essential if you have any interest in Eastern spirituality. TY BURR, Film Critic, BOSTON GLOBE--- Beautifully melds an inner and outer journey, viewers find themselves transformed. SHARON SALZBERG --- This series of journeys to sacred places pleases both the mind and eye. BOOKLIST--- Images of the landscape, temples, and art dazzle with their gemlike luminosity and vaulting immensity. BOSTON PHOENIX --- Created to induce an inner journey while traveling to these legendary places. ASIA SOCIETY, New York --- Awakens us to the timeless truths that flow through every human heart. TARA BRACH, author --- John Bush sets a benchmark for integrity compassion in filmmaking. NATIONAL GALLERY OF AUSTRALIA --- A visual pilgrimage of the heart of stunning intimacy and beauty. KRISHNA DAS

C

Carlos

07/17/20

Beautifully done!

Enjoyed this tremendously. Learned from it and it was a very enlightening experience.

M

Mystic

07/17/20

Budha as holly

Enjoyed all, Views of wall sculpture are historic and spectacular.

N

Nobody

07/17/20

Wonderful DVD collection

It was a wonderful journey into spirituality. We must all see how all faiths are connected in the important beliefs

K

Kent

07/17/20

Brighten your heart!

This is indeed a journey into the visual beauty of Buddhism with visits to many temples in many countries and with excellent photography. Great music and chanting with narration about Buddhism that is easy to follow, interesting, and thought provoking. Well worth seeing over and over. Thanks PBS

D

Dave

07/17/20

Stunning DVDs enhance the joy of sight

A Magnificient journey to and through the countries of buddhist belief, they transported me to areas unknown to my mind. I would recomend this box set of jewels to everyone, regardless of religious belief.

N

Nobody

07/17/20

A wonderful Journey

To learn about a faith that does not justify violence and has love and understanding which Christian and Muslim Faiths had but lost the love and understanding ansd compassion and have replaced it with Vengence and Judgement of others.

L

Linda

07/17/20

Fabulous!

Better than expected!

G

Gromit

07/17/20

Awsome films!

What a work of art! The cinematography is exquisite. So well done.

Media Reviews

"Eye-opening and essential if you have an interest in Eastern spirituality." -Ty Burr, Film Critic, Boston Globe

"The trilogy fills us with wonder at the spiritual culture--past and present--from this vibrant region. Viewers will be awed by this luminous world--so rarely captured on film." - Bo Smith, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

"The Yatra Trilogy offers up the mesmerizing beauty and ineffable power of places most of us will never see." - Marcy Talbot, Tricycle

"If you are even vaguely considering a trip to any of these places you will want to view John Bush's DVDs before you firm up your plans. If you've already been to any of these places, you will want to re-visit them on these discs - see some of what you saw from an artist's point of view, and a whole lot that you missed entirely." - Amit Goti, LA Yoga Magazine

"...a stunning filmed series...Highly recommended." -- Video Librarian

Journey into Buddhism DVD

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