Children's
Videos
Videos can help teach lessons.
This is a review of Children's video tapes which
I feel present Buddhist lessons.
A movie to explore Judism /Christianity
Prince of Egypt
More thoughts on videos & lessons.
Jack Frost, Warner Home Video,
1999.
Story of a father who is killed in an accident and is reincarnated
as a snowman. This movie can lead to discussions of the concepts
of rebirth, clinging, emotional healing.
Wizard of Oz, MGM/UA Home
Video, 1996 or Turner Entertainment Co., 1999.
After seeing this movie repeatedly on television I went to see
it at the theater when it was rereleased in 1998 and was amazed at the
many Buddhist lessons contained within it. We always have the power
within us, but we have to discover it for ourselves. We're always
looking somewhere over the rainbow for our dreams, but there's no place
like home - and home is our Buddha nature! As the Scarecrow says
at the end "It's so simple!" Yes, Buddhism is so simple, but
we keep trying to make it hard.
A Little Princess, Wonderworks
Series, Public Media Video, released 1990, c1986
In this version of the classic tale, the idea of Karma is explored.
This Pretty Planet, Sony Kids' Video,
1992
Tom Chapin is a favorite kids' performer. This tape contains
a number of ecological songs such as
This pretty Planet,
Somone's Gonna Use It, The Wheel of the Water, and Good
Garbage . Much of these songs also present the interconnectedness
of life.
Mulan, Walt Disney Home Video : Distributed
by Buena Vista Home Entertainment, 1999
I list Disney's Mulan for the short scene in the movie where one of
the characters chants "Namu Amida Butsu" which helps calms the character.
Prince of Egypt, DreamWorks, 1999.
The story of Moses from Judeo-Christian teachings. Can lead to
a discussion of other religions.
