PROJECT PURPOSE
2014 celebrates the 20th anniversary of filming Tashi Jong. Tragically the situation in Tibet continues to be grim, the very survival of Tibetan heritage is threatened. With faith and determination, traditional Tibetan communities like Tashi Jong, continue to hold the essence of Tibet's ancient culture, spiritual traditional and Tibetan identity in exile. In this world plagued with violence, warfare, and emotional suffering, Tibetan Buddhist teachings, with their emphasis on universal compassion and non-violence, offers an alternative vision for our troubled world.
The intention of Tashi Jon and Tashi Jong Digital Archives
To provide a professional-quality educational resource that will help bring about a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Tibetan people and their rich cultural traditions, sacred arts and Buddhist religion while increasing awareness of the on-going threat that confronts the very survival of Tibet's ancient heritage.
The Tashi Jong Digital Archive library provides footage of Tashi Jong/Khampagar Monastery to other organizations and filmmakers.
PROJECT BACKGROUND
"In today's world where millions of refugees face the extinction of their traditional cultures, the story of the people of Tashi Jong is inspiring and instructive…visually stunning, this video enriches the mind, refreshes the soul." Joanna Macy, Ph.D., Buddhist scholar and teacher, author.In 1992, Dr. Joanna Macy, a lifelong friend and advisor to the Tashi Jong community, introduced Barbara Green to then Tashi Jong president Choegyal Rinpoche during his visit to the United States. He spoke about the eighth Khamtrul Rinpoche's founding vision to preserve Tibet's endangered cultural and Buddhist heritage. Barbara was deeply moved by his heartfelt-stories of the Tashi Jong community's determination to carry on the vison of Khamtrul Rinpoche, who died in 1980. Choegyal Rinpoche invited Barbara to Tashi Jong to make a video documentation of the monastery's sacred lama dances for archival purposes.
While filming the monastic dances, Barbara was inspired to return to the community. She wanted to create a documentary portraying the lives of the three hundred lay people and one hundred monks who live together on this small "island" of Tibetan culture sustained by their Buddhist faith. Tashi Jong: A Traditional Tibetan Community in Exile was completed in 1998 under the guidance of then president, Tsoknyi Rinpoche.