Passage to Buddha (1993)
A South Korean spiritual drama by Jang Sun-woo, tracing a boy’s Buddhist pilgrimage through grief, wisdom, and self-discovery.
Passage to Buddha - Movie Information
- Original Title: 화엄경
- Release Year: 1993
- Directed by: Jang Sun-woo
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama
- Runtime: 2h 16m
- Original Language: Korean
- Spoken Languages: Korean
- Release Date (Theatrical): June 26, 1993 (South Korea - 19)
- Alternative Titles: The Avatamska Sutra (US), Hwaomkyung (KR)
- Production Companies: Taehung Pictures
- Production Countries: South Korea
Passage to Buddha - Plot
A young boy mourns the death of his father, and begins a quest to find his mother. He encounters many people on the way who quote Buddhist precepts: an eccentric monk, a girl who grows up into a young woman, a prison inmate, a foul-mouthed doctor and the young son of a hard drinking astronomer. Each of them tell the boy to seek someone to help him find the truth and his mother.
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Passage to Buddha - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Jang Sun-woo
Main Cast
- Oh Tae-kyung
- Lee Hye-young
- Won Mi-kyung
- Shin Hyun-jun
- Kim Hye-sun
- Jeong Su-yeong
- Lee Ho-jae
- Lee Dae-ro
- Dokgo Young-jae
Writers
- Jang Sun-woo
Producers
- Lee Tae-won
Passage to Buddha - FAQs
What is Passage to Buddha about?
Passage to Buddha follows a young boy who, after losing his father, embarks on a spiritual journey to find his mother. Along the way he meets a series of guides — monks, prisoners, doctors, and others — each offering Buddhist wisdom and directing him toward truth and self-discovery.
Where can you watch Passage to Buddha online?
Streaming availability for Passage to Buddha varies by region. You can check current platforms, rental options, and purchase links for your country on JustWatch, which aggregates up-to-date viewing options across all major streaming and digital services.
Who directed Passage to Buddha?
Passage to Buddha was directed by Jang Sun-woo, one of South Korea’s most provocative and celebrated auteurs. Known for his bold, unconventional storytelling, Jang also wrote the screenplay, adapting themes from the Avatamsaka Sutra, a foundational text of Mahayana Buddhism.
Is Passage to Buddha based on a true story?
No, Passage to Buddha is not based on a true story. The film draws its spiritual and narrative framework from the Avatamsaka Sutra (Huayan Jing), a revered Buddhist scripture. Director Jang Sun-woo adapted its philosophical structure into a cinematic pilgrimage story.
Who are the main actors in Passage to Buddha?
The film stars Oh Tae-kyung as the young protagonist Seon-jae, alongside Lee Hye-young as Ma-ni, Won Mi-kyung as the Lady of Lotus, Shin Hyun-jun as Ji-ho, Kim Hye-sun as I-ryeon, Jeong Su-yeong as I-na, Lee Ho-jae, Lee Dae-ro, and Dokgo Young-jae.
What is the runtime of Passage to Buddha?
Passage to Buddha has a runtime of 2 hours and 16 minutes (136 minutes). The film’s extended length supports its meditative, episodic structure, allowing each encounter on the boy’s pilgrimage to unfold with deliberate pacing and spiritual weight.
When was Passage to Buddha released?
Passage to Buddha was released in South Korea on June 26, 1993. The film is also known internationally as The Avatamska Sutra (US) and Hwaomkyung (KR), reflecting its roots in the Avatamsaka Sutra, the Buddhist text that inspired its structure.
What genre is Passage to Buddha?
Passage to Buddha is a drama, specifically a spiritual and philosophical drama rooted in Buddhist thought. The film blends road-movie elements with meditative storytelling, functioning as both a coming-of-age narrative and a cinematic exploration of Mahayana Buddhist philosophy.
More About Passage to Buddha
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