In Buddhism there is something called 'expedient means'. You won't speak to a fisherman about emptiness in the same way as to a mathematician, the terms and metaphors change according to circumstances. This speaks of the general practicality and suppleness within Buddhism, there is no attachment to scripture, the point is to help ourselves across using whatever is at hand.Here we have a Buddhist parable on faith, a young man who's spent all his life in a monastery is nagged inside that he has been trying to cleanse himself before any dust had time to settle. In the opening scenes we see a procession of monks open up a cave where he has been meditating for three years, his hair and nails have grown, dust has settled on the frail, ascetic body. As they clean him up on the way to the monastery we see a young man's face. This is all counterpointed with the Buddha's lifestory, a prince who didn't set out on the journey until late in his 20s.'Expedient means' in this case means narrative depth is sacrificed so we can get with more clarity the moment of suffering.The consequence from a cinematic standpoint is that it's evocative enough; windswept Himalayan landscapes, textures, passage of time. But the journey is schematic, from purity in the monastery to defilement in the village, from contentment to the onset of desire. A fabled reality means that what's missing here is a fuller trajectory of a person being changed, we simply jump ahead to the crucial points of the parable. Something else from the Buddhist point of view though.Buddhism has developed a robust model about life and practical tools that actually work. Its mission is not really to converse with scientists about the beginning of the cosmos or become bogged down in epistemology about its findings. Its mission from the beginning has been to put an end to suffering; along the way a body of knowledge emerges because in Buddhism ending suffering is not an abstract ideal left to a god's grace, it is a daily practice of observing mind and self, all sorts of insights appear.There's no question that the problem of conveying an insight is mirrored across Buddhism and film. You say too much and you risk obviating the matter, too little and maybe it's not enough. Here as a deep inspection and mindful exercise the film falls short, the fabled reality puts us at a distance. But the narrative moments when desire and dissatisfaction manifest should be familiar to all and carry a simple power that is the essential Buddhist matter, seeing suffering right now. Beginner's Buddhism is some of the most powerful of all.

Wonderful original story, clear metaphors everything made sense. The films metaphors speak clearly, you can tell the director and crew put real love into the film. I really can't say enough about this film to do it justice so at least i'd like to say, great job cast crew and director of this film, I really loved it. I've been to Ladakh 3 times now and have been in the back-country where there are no roads and only little hamlets and small towns, and stayed with the people just like this, it is one of my favorite places on earth. Another bonus is Christy Chung and Neelesha Bovara are both gorgeous and the love making scenes were original and extremely sensual. I put this on my all time favorite list in between The Godfather and Star Wars. Although films rankings on my list may change, the favorites never go away. Anyway Thank you for creating such a wonderful masterpiece.

Samsara is not your usual show. I will not attempt to tell the story here as many others have. But certainly, this is one movie that you need to have the time to calm down (perhaps in the quiet of the night) and watch it by yourself. It's not about emotions, it's not about the scandals and certainly not the sex scenes either. It's all about life, from a monk's view) and this show pulls it off well. Some parts get a bit slow but if you enjoy majestic splendour in the vastness of the mountainous regions of the Himalayas, this is one show you will enjoy. A little knowledge about the life of a Buddhist monk will help but it's not necessary. It may launch you to read all about it. Samsara is not just worth watching, it's just worth buying and leaving it on your video collection shelf for it talks about our inner selves, and attempts an answer at it. Leave your ego and personal philosophy about life outside your body when you hit that "Play" button on the videotape or DVD.

I was directed to this film after reading a review of "Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring Again", directed by Ki Duk Kim which is highly recommended as well. The love scenes in Samsara are gorgeous to behold and the female love/sex interests are very seductive. Monk Tashi is very well portrayed as so human and fallible as he leaves the monastery to pursue sex or worldly life. He was raised in the monastery so as his sexuality awakened he had to find out for himself. He rationalized that even Buddha was married before he was enlightened and so Tashi felt he should be able to know this too before he devoted himself to monkhood. Little does he know what is in store for this desire he has to experience...The tale is more of the excursion of a Monk and his experience of marriage, sex and emotions that arise than of his enlightenment. He found out what he had to know and paid the price. The film is lush with Tibetan style dress, architecture and landscapes. The love scenes are a treat for the eyes and the lead actors are very convincing yet more subtle than raw.Check out "Kundun" and "Razor's Edge"(Bill Murray)and "Master of Zen" as well if you are interested in drama as well as spirituality.