More Film Notes

Zombie vs. Ninja: The low water mark of lousy films. If one can get past the silly costumes, terrible dialogue and complete lack of plot however, it is an interesting experience and does have some decent action sequences.

Be Kind Rewind: Funny. But funny in a way that is relatively low-key. Recommended.

L’Ingorgo: This film takes place entirely in a traffic jam somewhere outside of Rome. Though not quite at the level of the best surreal Italian masterpieces, it is still very watchable, especially as it has an excellent cast. I am not sure if it is available in English, but it should be.

Swing Girls: This is a comedy about a group of Japanese students who form a Jazz band. Great stuff.

Ogro: Starring Gian Maria Volontè, this Italian Spanish co-production deals with a group of Basque separatists planning the assassination of Carrero Blanco. Pretty much every aspect of this film is top-notch. See it if you can.

Diamond Sutra Rough Draft / Unfinished

This is a translation of The Diamond Sutra that I starter a long time ago but never finished. I was translating it from the Tibetan, using some translations from the Chinese and Sanskrit as reference points. This is a totally rough draft of the first part of the text, with notes to myself (?) left in:

Homage to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas!

 Thus have I heard:

     At one time the Buddha was staying by Sravasti, in Prince Jeta’s grove, the garden of Anathapindika, together with a large company of monks, even 1,250, and numerous great Bodhisattvas. Then, in the morning, Buddha put on his robe and undergarments, took up his begging bowl, and entered the great city of Sravasti in order to beg for alms. Having begged for his food, Buddha returned and, with renunciation, ate. He then put away his begging bowl and robe and sat down on the seat arranged for him, crossing his legs and straightening his body with evident mindfulness.

     Many monks then proceeded to approach where the Buddha was, bowing their heads towards his feet, circumambulating him three times, and sitting off to one side.

     At that time the venerable Subhuti once more appeared at the assembly and sat down. He then got up from his seat, arranged his robe over one shoulder, kneeled, his right knee to the ground, and with hands respectfully folded said to the Buddha, “Bhagavan, Sugata, it is really quite wonderful how much the Tathagata, the Arhat, the fully enlightened Buddha has helped the great Bodhisattvas by providing them with the greatest help and favored the great Bodhisattvas by favoring them with the highest favor! Bhagavan, how should the Bodhisattva vehicle be entered? How should one dwell in it? How should one progress in it? What is the best way to take hold of the mind?”

The Translation of Father Torturo: Chapter Thirteen

Chapter  Thirteen

     The day after his coronation the new pope called Vivan and Zuccarelli to him, for a private audience.

     The two men were shown through the Sala degli Arazzi, its walls adorned with magnificent Gobelin tapestries, into the Throne Room. Pope Lando the Second sat at the far end, on his majestic seat. He was dressed all in white, except for a crimson hood which sat on his shoulders. A priceless Spanish carpet lay between the door and the throne. Vivan stepped forward first, minced through the stately chamber, climbed the steps leading to the throne and fell to his knees, kissing the Pope’s right foot, which rested on a crimson pillow. Zuccarelli strode forward. Five meters before the Pope he dropped to one knee, bowed and rose. He proceeded forward, climbed the steps to the throne, bowed and kissed the Pope’s hand.

     Pope Lando the Second spoke.

     “Both of you have been of inestimable service,” he said gravely, “and, now that I am in a position to show my appreciation, I intend to do so.”

     Zuccarelli nodded his head, as if to say: “I expected nothing less.”

     “The three of us have a bond,” the Pope continued. “Though not strictly a bond of friendship, it is none the less precious. Though it is true that spirituality and perfection are not necessarily connected with advancement in our holy order, we still, each of us, are happy to advance. I have advanced. You shall each advance. We advance together.”