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Broadcast date: Wednesday 22-10-2003 23:30 - 0:52 ned. 1
Repeat: Thursday 13-11-2003 13:45 - 15:05 ned. 1
Watch in Realplayer (broadband - not available outside of the Netherlands)Watch in Realplayer (slow connection)Watch in MediaplayerA dozen of Zen buddhists live for several days and nights among the homeless people of New York without money and shelter. Yearly about one hundred participants travel to Auschwitz to meditate and call out the names of the victims that were murdered in the gaschambers.
American Zen master Bernie Glassman uses the emphasis on compassion in the Mahayana buddhist tradition to practice engaged buddhism. He initiated several businesses, retreats and organisations to raise people's awareness according to his motto: "See the Other as Yourself". Homeless people, aids patients and unemployed find shelter and work at places like the Greyston Foundation. Originally started as a small bakery to employ the local homeless it is now a large business venture that delivers products to big manufacturers like Ben and Jerry's Icecream.
In the Auschwitz retreat people from all over the world and from all religious backgrounds meet to meditate: children of nazis, children of jewish victims and campsurvivors. Many of them are able to confront their past better afterwards. From these retreats the Zen Peace Maker Order was established, a worldwide Peace Organisation. Through the different activities of Bernie Glassman we bear witness to the results of living by opening your heart and seeing the other as oneself.
Directed by: George Schouten
Commissioning editor and production: Babeth M. VanLoo
Camera: Bernd Wouthuysen
Sound: Martijn van Haalen
Edited by: Gys Zevenbergen
Music: Harry de Wit
