Watch The Life of Buddha

The Life of Buddha is a 2007 Thai film that delves into the story of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha. The film starts in the present day, with a religious traveler visiting a temple built atop the site of Buddha's birth. From there, it commences with the life story of Buddha, from his early childhood to his final moments of enlightenment.

As a child, Siddhartha Gautama is privileged and sheltered from the world by his father, the king. However, he becomes curious and dissatisfied with his sheltered existence, especially after encountering the suffering of a sick person and an old man. This realization motivates him to seek enlightenment, and he departs on a spiritual journey.

On his journey, Gautama meets various gurus and learns different techniques, but he is not satisfied with the answers they provide. He continues to journey and discovers that the key to enlightenment is meditation, simplicity, and selflessness. It is during this time that he realizes the Four Noble Truths - the nature of suffering, the cause of suffering, the cessation of suffering, and the path to the cessation of suffering.

After attaining enlightenment, Gautama travels to preach his teachings, which he calls the Eightfold Path. He becomes known as Buddha, or "the enlightened one," and attracts a large following. However, his teachings and the resulting social change threatened the existing religious hierarchy and political system, leading to persecution and attempts on his life.

Despite this opposition, Buddha's teachings continue to spread, and he becomes one of the most influential figures in human history. The film concludes with a scene where a Buddhist monk, living in the present day, expounds on Buddha's message of peace, love, and compassion.

The Life of Buddha is a visually stunning film that features beautiful scenery and costumes. The acting is also commendable, with Sarut Wijittranon delivering a convincing portrayal of the Buddha. Supattra Thiwanon and Komgrit Triwimol, who play the Buddha's wife and father, respectively, are also noteworthy.

One of the film's strengths is its emphasis on the universality of Buddhist teachings. It is presented in a way that is accessible to people of all religions or none at all. It also highlights the importance of self-discovery, mindfulness, and compassion - lessons that are still relevant to modern-day society.

Overall, The Life of Buddha is a well-crafted film that illustrates the life and teachings of one of the most important figures in human history. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in Buddhism or spiritual enlightenment.