Vajra Sky Over Tibet
John Bush
USA | 2005 | 88mins | Beta | Colour
A cinematic pilgrimage to some of the most revered temples, monasteries and festivals still surviving in Central Tibet. The poignant journey bears witness to the indomitable faith of its endangered Buddhist community and the imminent threat to its very survival.
The vastness of the Tibetan sky, reflecting snowy mountains, rushing rivers, and turquoise lakes, leads the journey west. Visiting several legendary venues, one discovers the universal truth and beauty expressed through the extraordinary art, architecture and customs of classical Tibet.
Also revealed is a twenty-first-century policy of Chinese authorities to destroy this 1500-year-old tradition from within after fifty years of trying to destroy it from without. We learned of the deliberate asphyxiation of this ancient faith within its own home. Responding to the denial of the human right to practice one’s religion without interference, Tibetans visit these legendary sites with a defiant ardour and overt displays of devotion. |
