July 03, 2020

On a full moon day in Esala (July) Gautama Buddha gave his first sermon to five ascetics at a deer park in Sarnath near Benares in northern India. This special cultural feature with talks, music, musical drama and mini doco-features was produced to mark the Esala full moon day in July 2020. Produced by Lotus Communication Network in association with Attodeep in Kolkata, this was first webcast as part of the International Buddhist Confederation's Asadha Poornima Dharma Chakra Day celebration. It is presented by Kalinga Seneviratne and Nadhusree Chowdhury.

S

May 16, 2020

This Buddhist prayer in song and dance in Bengali was released by Kolkata based Bengali cultural group Attodeep for the International Buddhist Confederation's Vesak Prayer week in May 2020. It was directed by Madhusree Chowdhury. 

May 07, 2020

While the world was in lockdown from COVID-19, Lotus Communication Network in association with the International Buddhist Confederation produced this virtual celebration of Vesak 2564 (2020). The program features Buddhist artistes from across Asia and special short messages from four Asian Buddhist leaders. A Buddhist cultural journey that cuts across different traditions. Presented by Kalinga Seneviratne and Madhusree Chowdhury.

November 30, 2019

A Sri Lankan Buddhist's Peep Into Taoist Culture - 15 years in the making this documentary features Taoist practices and festivals in Singapore, a small island nation more modern than the West, yet, very Asian under the surface. The footage I filmed over 15 years is put into context by young Singaporean Taoists who explain the symbolism, meanings and significance behind the colourful rituals and festivals.

42 minutes

December 03, 2019

Santi Asoke is a Thai Buddhist movement that have 9 temples cum communities across Thailand. They are strictly vegetarian, grows organic food, runs small shops and shuns excessive rituals. They also have strong Buddhist viewpoints on politics and economics. This video is produced by Santi Asoke to introduce their movement.

8 mins 30 secs

November 02, 2019

On the full moon day each November, Thais celebrate Loy Kratong, a paying of homage to mother nature - the river gods. It has its origins in pre-Buddhist Hindu culture in Siam over 700 years ago. The first capital of Thailand Sukhothai celebrates it in a grand scale, but it is a nation-wide celebrations with colourful floating of the 'kratongs' in rivers and canals. This video focus on the historic cities of Sukhothai and Ayuthaya.

15 minutes

February 15, 2019

This video introduce the Bengali Buddhist cultural group Attodeep from Kolkata. Their music and songs reflects the mystic poets of Bengal who use poetry and music to convey Buddhist teachings. The group is reviving this ancient musical traditional of Bengal.

30 minutes

September 01, 2018

This song, sung in Sinhalese and recorded by Sri Lankan musical group Metta is a production of Lotus Communication Network. The song is based on Sigalovada Sutra - Buddha's advice to young Sigala - on how to cultivate good friends.

2 mins 40 secs

February 26, 2017

That Luang Stupa is very sacred to the Lao people. It is believed that a breast bone of the Buddha is enshrined here. It was built over an ancient stupa in the 16th century, by King Setthathirath when he moved the capital of the Lane Xang Kingdom from Luang Prabang to Vientiane. It has since become the symbol of Laos and is revered by all Lao people. Every year around the full moon day of November a 3-day festival takes place here to pay homage to the stupa and the Buddha.

18 minutes

January 15, 2016

This video filmed in Cambodia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Singapore features the Katina ceremony. This is the time when new robes are given to Buddhist monks by devotees at the end of the traditional rains retreat. Katina ceremonies are held across Asia in late October and early November each year. Directed by Kalinga Seneviratne. A Global Eye Media production. 

October 15, 2016

In May Buddhists around the world celebrate the triple anniversary of Gautama Buddha's birth, enligthenment and the passing away on the full moon day of the fifth lunar month. It is called Vesak or Vaisakha. This is the major religious festival in Sri Lanka and it is celebrated on a grand scale over 3 days each year. This documentary reflects the diversity of activities - much of it very colourful - that takes place in Sri Lanka during this festival. Directed by Kalinga Seneviratne. A Global Eye Media production. 

October 15, 2016

Professor Sugata Bose of Harvard University introduces the series 'Path of the Dhamma' that looks at the spread of Buddhism from India to Sri Lankan, and from Sri Lanka to Southeast Asia. Directed by Kalinga Seneviratne, produced by the Asian Media information and Communication Centre in Singapore and funded by the Institute of Southeast AsIan Studies. 

October 15, 2016

The Path of the Dhamma begins in Lumbini in Nepal where the Buddha was born, before going to India, the birthplace of Buddhism, where the religion is barely surviving today. Yet, millions of pilgrims from across Asia and the world visit the sites associated with the Buddha's life every year, including Nalanda, where the great Buddhist Mahavihara education system flourished between 5th and 12th centuries. The program ends in Nagpur, which is the heartland of Indian Buddhism today, where thousands of Dalits have embraced the religion. Directed by Kalinga Seneviratne, produced by the Asian Media information and Communication Centre in Singapore and funded by the Institute of Southeast AsIan Studies. 

October 15, 2016

In 3rd century BC the great Indian Emperor Ashoka sent his son Mahinda, who has become a Buddhist monk, to Sri Lanka to spread the teachings - Dhamma - and King Devanampiyatissa immediately embraced the new religion. Ever since, Sri Lanka has become a stronghold of Buddhism, especially the Theravada tradition, after the Buddha's teachings were written into text at Aluvihara in the 1st century BC. Known as 'Tripitaka' this Theravada Buddhist cannon was the basis of the Buddhist teachings which spread across to Swarnabhoomi. With the backdrop of contemporary Buddhist practices and festivals, this program explores how Buddhism spread from Sri Lanka to Thailand. Directed by Kalinga Seneviratne, produced by the Asian Media information and Communication Centre in Singapore and funded by the Institute of Southeast AsIan Studies. 

October 15, 2016

Emperor Ashoka sent Buddhist missionaries by land to Myanmar(Burma),but it was the 'Tripitika' from Sri Lanka that helped to spread the Dhamma there. This program explores how this Theravada tradition flourished in Myanmar, and its historic links with South Asia. Later, we visit Indonesia, which was at one time a leading Buddhist civilisation, especially at the time of the Sriwijaya kingdom. We examine how Buddhism struggle to survive today, in a country where it is a minority religion. Directed by Kalinga Seneviratne, produced by the Asian Media information and Communication Centre in Singapore and funded by the Institute of Southeast AsIan Studies. 

October 15, 2016

When Buddhism arrived in Cambodia in the 11th century, the Khmers have already built a great civilisation heavily influenced by Hinduism. Buddhism gradually made inroads into Khmer civilisation with 'Tripitaka' making an important contribution. Yet, a hallmark of Khmer Buddhism is the close interaction between Hindu and Buddhist traditions, including formal festivities in the Royal Palace, which this program explores. The series ends in Singapore, where the three main Buddhist tradition - Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana - co-exists. Directed by Kalinga Seneviratne. produced by the Asian Media information and Communication Centre in Singapore and funded by the Institute of Southeast AsIan Studies. 

January 01, 2020

This video was shot in Sri Lanka in August 2004 at a time of heightened concern among Buddhists about Christian evangelical activities in the country, with a government in power at the time that was seen as favourable to the Christian minority. Directed by Kalinga Seneviratne. A Global Eye Media production. 

January 01, 2020

A leisurely stroll across Northern India visiting places associated with the life of the Buddha. Directed and Presented by Rajiv Mehrotra. Produced in 1996 for the Indian Tourist Board.  

October 15, 2016

A Buddhist monk's vision of rural development: Venerable OmalpeSobitha a Buddhist monk from the poor rural township of Embilipitiya in southern Sri Lanka set up the Bodhiraja Foundation in the 1990s to help his local community in development work. He believes that a temple should not only take from the community but also help the local community - especially in impoverished rural areas - in both their spiritual and economic development. This documentary looks at how he set about achieving this goal. Directed by Kalinga Seneviratne. A Global Eye Media production. 

October 15, 2016

At the height of the 1998 economic crisis Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej suggested a new economic model based on Buddhist principles which he called 'Sufficiency Economics'. This documentary explores how Thai Buddhists are trying to apply these Buddhist principles to modern economics and development models. Directed by Kalinga Seneviratne. A Global Eye Media production.

October 15, 2016

Singapore is one of Asia's most modern societies, yet, under the surface, it is very traditional and Asian. Today, Singapore's youth are rediscovering their cultural and religious roots, and many are flocking back to Buddhism. This programme explores why and how there is a revival of Buddhism in this predominantly ethnic Chinese society and how Buddhists are putting into practice the Buddha's teachings on compassion. Directed by Kalinga Seneviratne. A Global Eye Media production. 

October 15, 2016

A film on the places of Buddhist pilgrimage in India Anchored and Directed by Rajiv Mehrotra.

October 15, 2016

VenBhavanaVisutthikhun, Abbot of WatLuangPhorSodhDhammakayaram in Thailand talks to Kalinga Seneviratne about the Buddhist interpretation of Thailand's 1998 economic crisis. This interview was recorded in 2001.

October 15, 2016

Indonesia is today described as the world's largest Muslim country. Yet, it has a proud Buddhist past and Borobodur is regarded as one of the greatest Buddhist Shrine ever built. Today it is a historic monument and not a Buddhist temple. Yet, on Vesak Day every year thousands of Buddhists gather here to pay homage to the Buddha. This report was filmed on Vesak Day in 1998.

October 15, 2016

'Sacral Legacy' is an award-winning documentary on the TaboKye Buddhist Monastery in the Indian Himalayas director by Rajiv Maehrotra of Mediart, India.