***MAY contain spoilers (in the broader sense)***For those of you who are Buddhists, are interested in Buddhism from a layperson's viewpoint, or enjoy documentaries that showcase non-American culture(s), I would highly recommend "The Tibetan Book of the Dead". The crux of this film reflects the crux of Buddhism (Tibetan or not): Live knowing that you will die, and die a good death.A "good death" in the context of this film is to recognize the various stages (bardos) at the moment of death, and for 49 days following--through the practice of phowa. This ritual is performed by a guru, monk or lama (or a practicing Buddhist with expertise and/or experience in performing phowa), using the script originally written by Guru Padmasambhava (who first brought Buddhism to Tibet), to help the dead achieve enlightenment, or if not, a precious human rebirth.Leonard Cohen--singer/songwriter extraordinaire--narrates this film, and rightly so: In 1996 he was ordained as a Zen monk after practicing Buddhism for 20+ years, so he understands the significance of this topic. Additionally, his voice is beautiful and uniquely calm--respectful of the sacred nature of this topic.Though parts of this documentary look as though they may have been "staged", my opinion is that this small Tibetan community allowed the cameras to capture a profoundly revered Buddhist ceremony for the benefit of all sentient beings everywhere.

This has the feel of those Mystic Fire videos, which may bother some of you.It is a companion piece to the Tibetan Book of the Dead, a Way of Life, which I liked better. The short film centers around the too early death of a 40 something young man, returned to his family from a long journey and stricken with an unknown illness. I think this might be an interesting introduction to the Tibetan Book of the Dead. Nice visuals of Ladakh. Was not impressed by the special effects, but the little boy/monk and the mentor monk have a good interaction. Leonard Cohen's voice good, as usual. I may have been generous at seven stars, but I have a soft spot in my heart for Buddhist films.