Film Review - Meeting the Buddha
Images courtesy of Tinsel PR.
Meeting the Buddha, directed by Marta György-Kessler, is an exploration of spiritual seeking in the modern world, and of key figures that helped bring Buddhism from the East to the West. Meeting the Buddha follows an intimate journey into Buddhist philosophy through the lived experiences of a Danish husband and wife Ole and Hannah Nydahl. Through them we experience life as they search for enlightenment and meaning when a chance encounter in Nepal finds them learning from Rangjung Rigpe Dorje - The 16th Karmapa and head of the Karma Kagyu lineage (one of the four main schools of Tibetan Buddhism). From there, the film highlights the teachings and fascinating nature of the 16th Karmapa, as well as how Ole and Hannah brought his teachings to the West through the founding of hundreds of meditation centres. Rather than presenting itself as a conventional documentary, it unfolds more like a cinematic meditation, inviting the viewer into stillness.
György-Kessler approaches her subject with remarkable sensitivity. The camera lingers patiently on faces, landscapes, and quiet gestures, allowing silence to speak as powerfully as the dialogue. While this deliberate slow-burn pacing does allow for a greater emphasis on storytelling highlighted by both the real life footage and incredible animation, there were points where it felt a little too slow paced. The runtime comes in at close to 2 and a half hours, which can be a challenging session unless you are super invested in the subject. While I do think the feature could have benefitted from having the presentation of some aspects of the Karmapa’s life more streamlined and focused, there are also some great insights.
What makes Meeting the Buddha particularly compelling is its human focus. The individuals portrayed are not idealised spiritual archetypes; they are seekers navigating doubt, discipline, and insight. Through their stories, the film gently raises universal questions about suffering, attachment, and the search for meaning. The spiritual themes never feel imposed. Instead, they emerge organically through conversation and observation. One of the most powerful scenes is when the Karmapa is dying, but his spirit and personality hardly seem to wane. He is constantly happy, and always more concerned with those around him and their wellbeing. This scene really does highlight the philosophy and mentality of Buddhist teachings, where death is one of the great certainties in life. But it is not viewed as an end, rather as an opportunity to accept, learn and attain spiritual enlightenment.
Ultimately, Meeting the Buddha is less about “meeting” an external figure and more about encountering inner awareness. György-Kessler crafts a thoughtful, quietly profound work about one of the most important moments in Buddhist history. The film could have benefitted from streamlining a few aspects of the story, but it will be a rewarding experience for those deeply invested in the subject matter.
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