The much anticipated film profile of the late Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Crazy Wisdom, had its world premiere at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on February 5. Director Johanna Demetrakas was in attendance.
Chogyam Trungpa, Rinpoche, who died in 1987, was a pivotal figure in bringing Tibetan Buddhism to the West. Raised and trained in the rigorous Tibetan monastic tradition, Trungpa came to the West and shattered preconceived notions about how an enlightened teacher should behave—he openly smoked, drank, and had intimate relations with students—yet his teachings are recognized as authentic and influential. He authored many popular books of Buddhist commentary and teachings (as well as a memoir, Born in Tibet) and was the founder of Naropa University and the practice community now known as Shambhala.
Filmed in the UK, Tibet, Canada, and the US, with unprecedented access and exclusive archival material, Crazy Wisdom looks at the man and the myths about him. Also features Allen Ginsberg, Robert Thurman, Pema Chodron, Jeffery Paine, Ram Das and Sakyong Mipham.
For upcoming screenings, visit the official website.
