Film & New Media
BuddhaFest 2012
Film fest + spiritual talks + meditation
Thu June 14- Sun June 17
$12.50-$185 4-day pass
Spectrum Theatre
The only film festival in the country that also features spiritual talks, meditation and live music returns to the DC area June 14-17. BuddhaFest 2012 focuses on the profound effects that meditation and mindfulness are having on society. Speakers include Rick Hanson, author of Buddha's Brain, and one of the world’s leading authorities on the neuroscience of mindfulness, and Congressman Tim Ryan,
whose new book, A Mindful Nation, explores the growing presence of mindfulness in various areas of American life including education, health care and the military. The third annual BuddhaFest will be held at Artisphere's Spectrum Theatre. BuddhaFest is a consciousness-raising four-day event inspired by Buddhist practices of mindfulness and meditation. The 2012 festival takes a broad look at how mindfulness has made its way to the West, and how it is informing our approach to neuroscience, the environment, social issues, personal relationships, psychology and politics.
Joining Rep. Ryan in his session will be Tara Brach, founding teacher of the DC area’s largest meditation community, the Insight Meditation Community of Washington. Ryan and Brach will approach mindfulness practice from the perspective of inner and outer work – how we can combine self-awareness and community action to make the world a better place. Also featured this year is Sharon Salzberg, the NY Times best-selling author of Real Happiness.
Films include the world premiere of WHEN THE IRON BIRD FLIES. This film traces the astounding path of one of the world’s great spiritual traditions, from the caves of Tibet to the mainstream of western culture, and asks: In these modern, increasingly chaotic times, can these age-old Buddhist teachings help us find genuine happiness, and help create a saner, more compassionate 21st century world?
The complete line-up of films will be announced the first week of May.