andjel

If you see a priest with a woman, what will you think? Probably that something fishy is going on. But that is your problem, not the priest’s. This biographical movie about an important Buddhist monk, Kyung Heo/Gyeongheo, starts with exactly that issue — him accepting a woman into his room. Rumors quickly spread that a monk is with a woman, and so the drama begins.

Kyung Heo, as depicted here, was indeed unconventional, but he had a pure heart and pure intentions — and that is what truly matters, both in Buddhism and in Christianity. As a Catholic priest, I found many connections between our beliefs in this Buddhist movie, especially the message that the Buddha is in each of us, just as Christ is.

On the surface, this is a drama feature, but in reality it is a deeply religious movie with meditative and philosophical moments. Especially in the scenes that are occasionally interrupted by symbolic imagery and, I believe, actual quotes from the monk. We also witness a real temple ritual as the film gently draws us into meditation and reflection on our own hearts and minds.