Educational Media Reviews Online

Prajna Earth, part two of the Yatra (Sacred Journey) Trilogy created by John Bush, takes the viewer to sacred places in Cambodia, Java, and Bali including Angkor Wat and Borobudur. The focus of these visits is the interplay of native animist nature worship with the traditions of Buddhism and Hinduism. The architecture and art of the temples and shrines are explored through ceremonies, sacred dance, and dress.

Filmed entirely on location in Southeast Asia, Prajna Earth features the narration of Sharon Stone, a harmonic chant score by David Hykes, and devotional chanting by Krishna Das. The DVD includes an alternate ambient version without the narration which is intended to be used as an aid to meditation or yoga. The highlights of this film are the beautiful cinematography of Bush and a very complementary score. Although the film does not address any of the temples or traditions in depth, it does serve as a rich introduction to the sacred places of Southeast Asia. Students of Asian art, architecture, religion, and society will find it of interest and it should prove to be a useful discussion tool. This film is recommended for viewers from Jr. High through adult and to the libraries that serve them.