The Long Search

Ronald visits the Zulu Independent Churches of South Africa to explore the Black African response to Christianity. He traces the history of religious beliefs in Africa from the arrival of the first Christian missionaries to the current rediscovery of the African religious identity. The episode studies two major groups, the Zionists and the Nazarites, a group founded by Isaiah Shembe. It shows a women's Zionist service, held at a home in the townships, where healing and support are integral parts of the service; and an open-air service of the Nazarites at which the themes of dreams, healing, and power are discussed.

Ronald visits the San Francisco Bay area to examine the new religious concerns of people who are looking East to Hinduism and Taoism for inspiration. He explores the search for a saner and more wholesome life in which ecology is held sacred and the accent is on good health. Practices considered include biofeedback, meditation, yoga, and self-help groups.

Visits Sri Lanka and India to discover the type of Buddhism practiced throughout Southeast Asia. Includes talks with monks, school children, novices, and housewives who describe their own religious experiences and discuss the high moral standards demanded by Buddhism.

Visits Japan to investigate the Japanese experience of Buddhist worship and the complexities of Zen Buddhism. The Buddhism of Japan is described and contrasted with that of Sri Lanka. Various aspects of Zen Buddhism are considered, such as meditation, calligraphy, swordfighting, archery and the tea ceremony.

Examines different aspects of Catholicism through three portrayals: by the ceremony of the official church at the Vatican, as practiced by devout lay Catholics in Leeds, and as observed by the Little Brothers of Jesus in southeastern Spain.

Ronald visits several sites in India and observes the performance of different types of Hindu religious ceremonies. He considers the Hindu approach to God and the complexity of the Hindu religious experience. The episode characterizes Hinduism as a philosophy and way of life rather than a rigid code of behavior or dogma.

Ronald visits Egypt to explore the experience of Islamic worship. He interviews a number of Muslims who discuss their personal attitudes and approaches to their religion. The episode describes the main tenets of Islam and shows scenes of Muslims praying in a mosque, signing a marriage contract, attending a class for the study of the Koran, and boarding a plane to make the pilgrimage to Mecca.

Ronald interviews several Jews living throughout the world, who attempt to define the significance of being one of the chosen people. The episode includes discussions with Elie Wiesel, Norbert Brainin and the Amadeus Quartet, and Dr. Pinchas Peli, a tenth-generation rabbi. It depicts Jewish prayer and ritual and students debating the meaning of the Talmud. In Jerusalem, Ronald films its schools, synagogues, and the Wailing Wall.

Ronald considers the unique relationship existing between the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Communist state in Romania. He visits a number of Romanian churches to observe how the Orthodox liturgy is conducted.

Surveys the trend toward institutionalization that Protestantism has taken in the United States. Illustrates the character of American Protestantism by visiting religious services conducted by various Protestant denominations. Examines the reasons for the vigor of religious expression among both Black and white American Protestants. Surveys the trend toward institutionalization that Protestantism has taken in the United States and reflects on the historical essence of Protestantism.

Theater director, Ronald Eyre, presents some personal reflections on his pilgrimage throughout the world in which he explored the religious beliefs and experiences of various peoples.

Ronald visits the Torajas of Indonesia to investigate the experience of primal worship. He considers the reasons for the remarkable survival of the Torajas' religion at a time when other primal, animist religions are dying out as a result of contact with the outside world. The episode shows many of the Torajas' ceremonies, including animal sacrifice and the feasting and gaiety of the funeral season.

Ronald examines the different types of religious beliefs that make up the spiritual life of Taiwan, including a Confucian respect for ancestors and the past, the cosmic pattern of the Tao that manifests itself through the oracles, and the worship of local gods who dispense justice and favors.