Requiem for a Faith

Year Published: 1965

Creator: Hartley Productions

Complete Record: Surveys Buddhist practices and explains the role of Tibetan lamas in developing the extremely religious nature of Tibetan culture. Huston Smith tells of the paths that lead to enlightenment according to Tibetan Buddhism and reveals the secret that is discovered. The film shows Tibetan monks and includes an interview with the Dalai Lama. Records the colorful traditions of Tibetan Buddhism that are rapidly disappearing. Renowned world religions scholar Huston Smith (The Religions of Man) travels to Tibet in Requiem for a Faith to provide moving commentary that accompanies filmmaker Elda Hartley's remarkable images of this profoundly mystical Buddhist culture. Hartley preserves the images of spirituality-the fluttering prayer flags, the lavishly colorful artwork and dance and the monks engaged in lively debate. Smith's meditation offers a comprehensive overview of the Tibetan belief system, from its deep compassion and densely populated spirit world, to the role of the Dalai Lama and the many methods used in the journey towards enlightenment.This award-winning film provides a rare glimpse of hypnotic chanting ceremonies of the Tibetan Buddhist monks, who use a chanting technique so unusual that modern science has yet to understand it. Requiem for a Faith is a unique portrait of a society that in Huston Smith’s words "is so close to the sky, the natural occupation of its people is to pray."