Crazy Wisdom: The Life & Times of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche

Mindful Movies

Showings

The Roxy Theater Screen 3 Sun, May 19, 2019 7:00 PM
Film Info
Series:Mindful Movies
Run Time:86 min
Country:2011
Genre:Documentary
Format:Digital
Cast/Crew Info
Director:Johanna Demetrakas
Cast Members:Pema Chodron, Ram Dass, Allen Ginsberg

Description

The Roxy Theater is pleased to bring you Mindful Movies, a continued series of films designed to make us aware of our mind, body, and spirit.

Crazy Wisdom explores the growth of Tibetan Buddhism through the story of Chogyam Trungpa, the brilliant "bad boy of Buddhism," who was pivotal in bringing Tibetan Buddhism to the West. Trungpa shattered our preconceived notions about how an enlightened teacher should behave. Born in Tibet, recognized as an exceptional reincarnate lama and trained in the rigorous monastic tradition, Trungpa fled his homeland during the Chinese Communist invasion. In Britain, realizing a cultural gap prevented his students from any deep understanding of Buddhism, he renounced his vows, eloped with a sixteen year-old, and lived as a westerner. In the US, he openly drank alcohol. Was this crazy wisdom?

Initially judged harshly by the Tibetan establishment, Trungpa’s teachings are now recognized by western philosophers and spiritual leaders, including the Dalai Lama, as authentic and profound. Today, twenty years after his death, Trungpa’s books have been translated into thirty-one languages and sell worldwide in millions. His organization thrives in thirty countries and five continents. Yet Trungpa’s name still evokes admiration and outrage. What made him tick, and just what is crazy wisdom anyway?

Director Johanna Demetrakas uses archival footage, animation, interviews, and original imagery to build a film that mirrors Trungpa’s challenging energy and invites viewers to go beyond fixed ideas about our teachers and leaders.