![]() |
![]() |
|
|
||
News at Tipitaka Network |
![]() |
Lighting the wayThe Star, Tuesday, June 30, 2009
TWO animated films produced by the Buddhist Institute Sunday Dhamma School (BISDS) at the Buddhist Maha Vihara in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, won awards at the recent inaugural Vesak 2009 International Buddhist Film Festival (May 9 to 15) in Sri Lanka. The Oil Lamp clinched the first prize in the International Short Film Competition while The Abbot & The Orphan – The Shrine, Ep 1 received a merit award (the only merit award given by the organising committee) as it exceeded the 12 minute restriction for each short film. Both films were by Malaysian director Ng Lid Sine. Satoshi Hirayama took second prize for his entry entitled Heart Sutra, a video poetry of the sutra that depicts oneness with the universe. Another Japanese director, Kazuhiko Mizushina, won third prize for Sneakarma, a black comedy, which tells the story of a youth’s intense attachment to sneakers. Organised jointly by Light of Asia Foundation, The National Film Corporation of Sri Lanka and the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall, the film festival received over 200 feature, documentary and short films based on Buddhist themes, of which 60 were international entries. Filmmakers from Japan, South Korea, the United States, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Germany, Greece, Spain, Italy, Poland, Canada, Brazil, India, Thailand, Malaysia and Sri Lanka competed in the film festival. Seven shortlisted entries for the International Short Film Competition were showcased on Sri Lanka’s national television during the duration of the film fest. It is hoped that the film fest will continue to grow annually culminating to a grand event in time for the celebration of 2,600 years of Buddhism in 2011. Ng, 47, director of Cartoon Workshop, received the awards in a ceremony at the New Theatre of the National Film Corporation Sri Lanka in Colombo on June 16. The Oil Lamp tells the tale of a devotional offering of light to Buddha by an old beggar woman. Her devotion is so strong that even Mara, the evil one, is defeated. “The animation was done some years ago, hence the retro feel to it,” Ng explained. “Characters were based on Indian comic styles with a bit of Asterix thrown in. It took us about three months to complete it,” says Ng. “The moral behind this nine-minute animation is not how much you give but how you give it.” The Oil Lamp, says Ng, has never been shown to the local Buddhist community but was presented once to the late Chief High Priest of Malaysia and Singapore, Ven Dr K. Sri Dhammananda. “The BISDS is continuously searching for ways to propagate the Buddha Dhamma (the Buddha’s teachings) in line with its 80th anniversary theme, ‘Dhamma in Motion’. This animation will most likely be among the movies that BISDS will screen from time to time.” Presently, Ng is working on a local animated television series and The Abbot & The Orphan animation series, which revolves around an orphan who is cared for by an old and blind abbot. According to a press release, the Chief High Priest of Malaysia Ven K. Sri Dhammaratana Nayaka Maha Thera was instrumental in getting the films submitted for the competition. He was happy with the success of the BISDS’ first foray in film production and hoped that the BISDS will receive more support for future film productions. The BISDS principal, Ven. K Sridhamma Thera, said: “The two animated films which were co-produced with Cartoon Workshop were projects undertaken by the BISDS to propagate the Dhamma in its outreach programmes. “We hope to produce more contemporary productions to enable us to reach out and touch the young minds who have embraced the digital world.” The BISDS was established in 1929 by Sasana Abhiwurdhi Wardhana Society with the aim of educating children on the Buddhist teaching. It celebrated its 80th anniversary this year and is the oldest Buddhist Sunday School in the country. The BISDS welcomes sponsors for the production of the The Abbot & The Orphan series as a novel way to disseminate the Buddha Dhamma. The Abbot & The Orphan DVD series which are in English and Mandarin are available from the Buddhist Maha Vihara (% 03-2274 1141). For further enquiries, contact: Vineeta Serisena (tel: 012-2173 310), Catherine Heng (tel: 012-3921 683), Lau Kai Kong (tel: 012-6757 959) or Jackie Chong (tel: 012-3218 006). source: http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2009/6/30/lifeliving/4197382&sec=lifeliving Buddhist News Features: Sunday, May 15, 2022 Vesak Extra! Wednesday, May 26, 2021 Vesak Extra! Thursday, May 7, 2020 Vesak Extra! |
Samsara Pulse Samsara buzz Ancient Buddhist statue may be returned to Japanese temple after 10-year legal battle California Huntington to exhibit Its oldest printed book Indonesia Young Buddhist Association of Indonesia holds interfaith dialogue on women and spirituality Fortune Deep meditation could improve your gut health and help with depression and anxiety Samsara buzz Pope Francis discusses ‘ecological conversion’ with Buddhist monks from Cambodia Scotland Meet the monks who live in Aberdeen’s Thai temple Samsara buzz How the British saved India’s classical history Samsara buzz Japan art and Buddhist pagoda in the snow Thailand Australia returns 9 ancient Buddha statues to Thailand TIME How to be mindful if you hate meditating Samsara buzz ‘Compassion is the only solution to current day challenges’ Samsara buzz How corporations attempt to co-opt Buddhism Samsara buzz Dependent Origination: A review and exploration toward unification Samsara buzz New Thich Nhat Hanh documentary “I Have Arrived, I Am Home” New Jersey NJ`s Buddhism boomlet: A quiet faith catches on in a chaotic world Vietnam Efforts to preserve five-tone musical ensemble of the Khmer in Soc Trang Cambodia Experts collect evidence of Theravada Buddhism Samsara buzz Buddhadhamma, act of ongoing transformation: Bhante Ajahn Jayasaro South Korea Korean Buddhist community plans restoration of 1,300-year-old Buddha statue Samsara buzz Rocky marvel at Buduruvagala |
Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahato Sammāsambuddhassa.
Buddha sāsana.m cira.m ti.t.thatu.