Sopranos actor goes Buddhist
DharmaTroll
Buddhism
By Douglas Harrington, Hamptons.com, December 29, 2009
http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=9,8817,0,0,1,0
Actor Michael Imperioli, after his successful role as Tony Soprano's
sociopath nephew Christopher on "The Sopranos," found Tibetan Buddhism
and built a haven for learning in Tribeca.
New York, USA -- Michael Imperioli, like all the cast members of HBO"s
wildly popular "The Sopranos," has, for the last decade, been a
darling of the entertainment media.
From electronic to gloss to newsprint, he and his fellow cast members
have been the stuff that sells the stuff that tells all of that
celebrity dish. Amid all that stuff, Imperioli has actually been on a
serious journey of self-evaluation, a journey of self-realization, a
journey that led him to Tibetan Buddhism.
It might be enough to say that I sat down with Imperioli in Tribeca
for an interview, but, in truth, that would not say anything at all
about that afternoon. I as the interviewer, and as it should be, is
the least important person in the room during the interview. The
interviewee is, as it should be, the focal point of attention. This
particular afternoon both Imperioli and I respectfully deferred our
empirical moment to the divine presence of the 18th generation
reincarnated Ngagkpa Lama, Namkha Rinpoche, at the Dharma Center in
NYC.
The Ngagkpa is essentially a master teacher whose purpose and final
goal is enlightenment in order to liberate others and themselves.
Rinpoche's life since childhood has been devoted to the study and
practice of the Nyingma tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, including
solitary monastic study and mentoring by other Ngagkpa masters and
Lamas, including Tenzin Gyatso, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.
Rinpoche was forced to flee Tibet because of his traditional Tibetan
Buddhist teachings and public support of the Dalai Lama in 1998.
The 46 year-old Imperioli's interest in Buddhist study began long
before meeting Rinpoche, "I really started to get interested in
Buddhism when I was around 19 or 20 years old, an interest basically
from reading Kerouac and Ginsberg. They piqued my curiosity and I
started reading a little bit [about Buddhism]. I liked what I felt
about it, but I wasn't ready to study it. I was too young and had so
many other things, but it was something that always had a pull on me."
Elaborating that he had always seen himself as "kind of a seeker," as
he got older Imperioli, a native of Mt. Vernon, NY, found himself,
through his readings, "drawn to Eastern philosophy." Pinpointing his
serious commitment to Buddhism he explained, "About three years ago I
started going to teachings, including seeing the Dalai Lama himself
teach [at the Beacon Theatre in NYC]. I wasn't practicing, just trying
to absorb more and more."
His first encounter with Rinpoche came out of an advertisement he saw
for a teaching the master was giving at East/West Books in Greenwich
Village. "I didn't know him, but what little I had read about him
interested my wife and I, so we went to the teaching. I made a very
strong connection with him [at the teaching]. Something happened, I
just felt very strongly about him. We made contact and signed up on
his list. We met a few times during his trip [to the U.S.] last
October. Then he came back in December and we officially became
students of his. We have seen him a couple of times during the year
and we went to Switzerland in August to his center when he hosted the
Dalai Lama for two days of teachings."
Rinpoche has several other Dharma centers throughout Europe including,
among others, Lithuania and Spain. The Imperiolis created the Dharma
center in Tribeca as a way to facilitate more frequent visits by their
teacher to the U.S. "We wanted to find a way to make New York one of
his regular stops." The center was designed and built by Victoria
Imperioli and is located at 499 Canal Street in Lower Manhattan. The
center is nothing short of stunning and I was immediately transported
into an atmosphere of spiritual tranquility that I imagine must
permeate the historic temples of Tibet.
Due to several reschedules of the interview because of the East Coast
blizzard, we were without Rinpoche's translator at our meeting and
after apologizing for his limited English the master explained his own
feeling at his first encounter with Imperioli, "He came to the
bookshop for one of my teachings. I don't know who he is, there are
many people. After I finish my teach[ing], I touch everybody and I
have very special energy that he gives me. I say to him, 'You have
special energy.' It was [a] very special feeling that he gave to me. I
think that this person is not really normal, he is a special person."
Two days later Rinpoche was brought to a luncheon by his secretary.
Unaware of the destination at the time, he arrived at the home of
Michael and Victoria Imperioli.
I asked Imperioli if there was something unique about the teaching of
Rinpoche that drew him to the master, "There is both something unique
about his teaching and something unique about him. There are four main
schools of Tibetan Buddhism; his tradition is the Nyingma tradition,
which is the oldest tradition. It is very rare to get those teachings
in the west." Regarding the man himself, Imperioli said, "It is his
energy. He is very passionate and knows that we do not have a lot of
time and we have to make the most of our time. His attitude is 'If you
want get busy, let's get busy.' If you want to get on the path, there
is a path and he can show it."
I asked the master if the path was actually a journey or if it indeed
had an end to which he replied, "I don't think so. It is about the
journey. In Tibetan Buddhism there is no beginning, there is no end.
If all the living beings finished [the journey] that would be the end
of our world."
I asked if the journey to personal enlightenment and harmony carried
with it the responsibility of actively changing the world at large, a
world I referred to as chaotic, Imperioli answered, "Yes, by fixing
ourselves we are fixing the world around us. We are far more connected
to each other than we realize. The chaos is spoken about in the way
the flapping of a butterfly's wings in the Pacific will cause a
snowstorm in Canada. It is all connected. By working on yourself, you
are going to affect what is around you; you are going to bring that
energy into the world."
In 1950, the Chinese Communists invaded Tibet, essentially holding the
Tibetan people in general, and the Dalai Lama in particular, hostage
within their own country. The Dalai Lama fled Tibet to India in 1959,
where he has lived in exile ever since. I asked both gentlemen how
they thought the situation in Tibet might be mitigated to return the
country to independence and religious freedom. Admitting that he is
not particularly versed in the politics, Imperioli noted, "With the
Dalai Lama's exile, and that of so many teachers, Tibetan Buddhism has
spread to the west. So what has been such a difficult time has had a
positive effect. The teachings have become much more accessible.
Hopefully things will change, things always change. Hopefully a change
in China's leadership will bring a positive change for Tibet. I am
glad that President Obama, in his meetings with the Chinese, brought
up the need for the Chinese government to have a dialog with the Dalai
Lama."
Due to the amount of American debt owned by the Chinese, President
Barack Obama has had to walk a fine line regarding Tibet and has been
criticized by some for not being strong enough in his condemnation of
the Chinese occupation. I asked Rinpoche what he thought of our
president, "I love him. I believe he is a very good person, he has
very good motivation. His motivation is for the whole world, he wants
human rights for the whole world. We will see, it is his dreams, I
respect and love him." Regarding his opinion on the political
situation in Tibet, Rinpoche said, "For myself, Buddhism is religion,
not politics. In Buddhism, religion is religion, politics is politics
and I am a religious person. In the West, religion and politics is
mixed, this is very bad. The Dalai Lama is both political and
religious because he is a Tibetan king. He has no choice, but he made
it very clear 'this is religious people and this is political people.'
I am [a] religious person, I am a teacher."
Referencing western religion I asked Imperioli how he reconciled his
Roman Catholic upbringing with his Buddhism, "I always felt a
connection to Christ and what he represented, I still do. I didn't
really feel a connection to the practice of the [Christian] religion.
By the time I was a teenager I was into other things, but I did feel a
connection to Christ, what he taught. It is one of the noble things in
life, to model your behavior in life on someone like him, which is
really the best way to live. 'Do unto others as you would have them do
unto you.'"
Imperioli elaborated upon his attraction to the Buddhist religion as
opposed to Roman Catholicism, "It is not about what you can and cannot
do, it is really about examining yourself and seeing how you operate
in the world, seeing what pushes your buttons, seeing your negative
qualities and negative emotions. Becoming aware, hopefully on a daily,
minute-to-minute basis, how to not just be swept up by negative habits
and negative emotions, rather become aware of what is really happening
and having a daily practice [to deal with those negative emotions]."
I asked Imperioli if the process of his craft as an actor and director
had been affected by his study of Tibetan Buddhism, "I do think
meditation does promote concentration, I think that it helps a lot. I
feel a lot less neurotic about my work. For a long time all I cared
about was being an actor, now it is more about the art of being an
actor. Those things that I stressed about and worried about, now I can
take more in stride. Hopefully anything that enriches you as a person,
if you consider yourself an artist, will enrich your art."
I followed by asking him if his choices of subject matter or parts
might now be affected by his Buddhist journey. For example, would he
reconsider a part that 10 years ago he would have taken without a
thought? A part like mobster Christopher Moltisanti in "The Sopranos,"
for which he was nominated for five Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe,
"That is an interesting question, I don't really know. It really
depends on the motivation behind the person who is spearheading the
project. Something like 'The Sopranos,' I don't really like violence,
but I think for certain stories you have to have it. Otherwise, you
are not portraying it honestly. You have to show the horror of that,
it becomes tricky. Hopefully when people see that they will see that
it is horrible and see that is not anything worth emulating by any
stretch of the imagination. What your response to it should be is
repulsion. When it is tricky is when someone walks away and thinks it
is something they should do, or thinks it is cool or to be admired."
He concluded by saying again, "It is a tricky thing, but we live
within this world. Yes, there are probably things I wouldn't do
because they are exploitive."
Imperioli recently made his directorial debut with "Hungry Ghosts," a
film based on his own screenplay and starring fellow "Sopranos" actor
Steven Schirripa, not an unfamiliar role for Imperioli who wrote five
episodes of "The Sopranos" during his tenure as an actor in the
series. "Hungry Ghosts" was produced by Diane Crespo, Stefan Schaefer,
and his wife, Victoria, who also served as Production Designer. The
film incorporates aspects of his Buddhist journey but he noted, "It
was written before I met Master Rinpoche." The film is best described
by the synopsis on its website, www.thehungryghostsmovie.com, "Five
New Yorkers - of different ages, races, backgrounds - hunger for
sensual, emotional and spiritual fulfillment. Their intersecting and
colliding paths reflect the zeitgeist of our times, in which the
desperation of the West smacks up against the religious teachings of
the East." Imperioli described the film's references to Eastern
thoughts and practices as representing "a lot of confusion," which
prior to his connection with Rinpoche was the point where the director
was in his journey.
The "Hungry Ghosts" premiere in September was screened as a fundraiser
for Rinpoche's "Golden Bridge" charitable organization whose main goal
is "...to help preserve Tibetan culture and religion, mainly in Tibet
but as well in places where Tibetans live in exile." Among many
projects supported are seniors' homes in Tibet and for exiled senior
Tibetans, monasteries in Tibet and around the world and Rinpoche's
international Buddhist study centers.
Due to previous editorial obligations I was unable to attend the
original New York premiere, but I was invited by Imperioli to a
private screening on December 1. I thought the film was nothing short
of brilliant - the acting superb, the dialog real and the story
pertinent and timely. I asked why I had not seen the film at the
Hamptons International Film Festival and to my surprise I was told it
was turned down by HIFF and by 10 other festivals. I found that
disappointing as did Imperioli, on both a personal and professional
level, "It is not an easy movie. It is not a 'feel good' movie, it is
dark. I was a little disappointed by the response on the part of the
festivals. I am part of this [artistic] community, I have raised money
for these festivals, and I have sat on the juries for these festivals.
I am not asking for a favor - but I have to wonder where is that
support? That was disappointing, but it is very competitive and there
are a lot of films out there."
Imperioli was kind; other independent filmmakers might be less kind.
Many think it is time, particularly in this difficult international
economy, that film festivals worldwide return to their commitment to
independent filmmakers. Major studio films produced by international
corporations do not need the festivals' help, independent filmmakers
like Imperioli do. A film festival can be a financial vocation or an
artistic avocation, perhaps they need to pick a true mission. Due to
the lack of non-profit arts funding, Imperioli and his wife had to
close their not-for-profit Dante Theatre project last year. They,
however, took the opportunity to intentionally cast many of their
theater-less stage actors in "Hungry Ghosts," for many it was their
first resume film credit. Thankfully, "Hungry Ghosts" will be screened
at the Santa Barbara Film Festival in February and was the opening
night film of the 2009 Rotterdam International Film Festival. When I
asked the master if he had seen the movie, Rinpoche said, "I loved the
movie."
As we concluded our conversation I asked Imperioli to elaborate on the
mission of the Dharma Center he and his wife founded in Lower
Manhattan, "The purpose is primarily to have a New York home for
Namkha Rinpoche, to have him come as much as he can and make this a
regular stop [for his teachings]. We hope to have him at least 10 or
12 times a year. He will also send other Rinpoches to teach, along
with some of his most qualified students."
It should be noted that the word Rinpoche is an honorific that means
"Precious One" in the Tibetan language and dates back to the second
Dalai Lama. Rigezin Namkha Gyatso Rinpoche, named at birth by his
mother as Drupa Tharchin, is one of many recognized master teachers of
Tibetan Buddhism throughout the world and is so honored with the
designation of Rinpoche. A Rinpoche now additionally honored by the
Imperioli's personal devotion and their creation of the "Awareness
Holders Sanctuary" in Manhattan to foster his teachings of compassion
and self-realization.
On Sunday, December 20 the "Awareness Holders Sanctuary" held its
grand opening reception which included a teaching by Rinpoche and some
friendly socializing. In spite of the blizzard that hit NYC the day
before, the turnout was stellar. Imperioli is cautious regarding the
expectations of the center beyond the presence of Rinpoche, but would
like to see it become a major American center for the study of Tibetan
Buddhism. Imperioli hopes it becomes a place for daily meditation,
study and illumination, "It is a small space, but I hope it becomes
too small too soon."
Charles E Hardwidge
news:2a8adb63-95b4-4f69...@26g2000yqo.googlegroups.com...
> Michael Imperioli, "The Sopranos" Actor, Seeks Enlightenment Through
> Buddhism
> By Douglas Harrington, Hamptons.com, December 29, 2009
> http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=9,8817,0,0,1,0
>
> Actor Michael Imperioli, after his successful role as Tony Soprano's
> sociopath nephew Christopher on "The Sopranos," found Tibetan Buddhism
> and built a haven for learning in Tribeca.
Hey, I can say all that shit and nobody puts me on the front page or builds
me a new house. Actually, at most of the places I've visited online they say
I talk shit and throw rocks at me. Maybe I should raise my prices to attract
"quality clients" and keep out the riff-raff?
Okay, sarcasm aside Imperioli's comment on being aware of your reasoning and
how your attitude can impact your work makes a good point. I've been having
another crack at giving up smoking for a few months and bungling around with
a camera, and can say it does make a practical difference.
With the smoking thing I've found I have to focus on something else and keep
away from *anything* that causes too many emotional waves as it dicks with
the seratonin and dopamine levels. A neighbours manically barking dog when
they were out yesterday did not help at all.
Photography is a bit different as you've got to mentally defocus a bit to
discover the story in the scene. The other thing is being relaxed about
what's going on around you as that can affect people's reactions. It's
another one of those learning to ride things. Yaddah, yaddah.
I'm an EPIC FAIL at the moment with both but, I figure, some gentle
persistence and a bit of blind luck might help me scoot through both
challenges. I'm not saying I'm going to be smoke free or win any awards
anytime soon but I won't put up a fight if things head that way.
--
Charles E Hardwidge
zenworm
wrote:
> "DharmaTroll" <dharmatr...@my-deja.com> wrote in message
the persistence which discovers 'blind luck'
is bringing attention
to Moment
(click!)
gradually the field of view widens
ZN :D _/|\_
absolute permanent perfection overflowing without effort