Watch The Buddha

The Buddha is a 1993 television documentary by PBS. Narrated by Richard Gere and starring Naveen Andrews as the voice of Prince Siddhartha, the documentary sets out to explore the life of the Buddha, one of the most significant figures in human history. The documentary is divided into three parts, each focusing on a different phase of the Buddha's life. The first part is dedicated to the early years of the Buddha's life, from his birth as Prince Siddhartha to his departure from his father's palace in search of enlightenment. The second part focuses on the Buddha's years of spiritual wandering and meditation, during which he developed the philosophy and teachings that would become known as Buddhism. The third part of the documentary covers the Buddha's later years, including the establishment of his community of disciples and his eventual death.

Throughout the documentary, a range of expert commentators are interviewed, providing insight into the historical and cultural context in which the Buddha lived and worked. The documentary also includes beautiful footage of Indian landscapes and cultural traditions, providing a rich backdrop to the story of the Buddha's life.

The first part of the documentary, which focuses on the early years of the Buddha's life, does an excellent job of providing a sense of the opulence and luxury of the prince's early life, as well as his growing sense of unease with the shallow and limited nature of his existence. The story of the prince's departure from the palace and his subsequent encounters with the realities of life outside the palace walls is both poignant and inspiring, setting up the spiritual journey that would come to define the Buddha's life and teachings.

The second part of the documentary, which covers the Buddha's years of wandering and meditation, is particularly strong. Through beautiful visuals, the documentary captures the stillness and beauty of the landscapes that the Buddha travelled through on his meditative journey, creating a sense of the profound inner transformation that he underwent during this period.

Throughout this section, there is a strong focus on the development of the Buddha's philosophical ideas, as he gradually moved away from traditional Hindu teachings and developed his own unique perspective on the nature of existence, suffering, and the path to enlightenment. The documentary does an excellent job of making these ideas accessible to viewers, using clear explanations and examples to contextualize the Buddha's somewhat abstract teachings.

The final part of the documentary covers the establishment of the Buddha's community of disciples and the gradual spread of his teachings throughout India and beyond. There is a real sense of the significance and impact of the Buddha's life and teachings in this section, as the documentary explores the ways in which his ideas have continued to influence people and cultures around the world.

Overall, The Buddha is a beautifully crafted and informative documentary that provides a rich and engaging exploration of the life and teachings of one of the most important figures in human history. Through its use of expert commentary, documentary footage, and powerful storytelling, it succeeds in making the Buddha's story and teachings accessible to a wide audience. Highly recommended for anyone interested in spiritual and philosophical issues, as well as anyone with an interest in the history and culture of India.