[Opening with Tibetan music]
[ Tibetan long song
sang at full voice ]
[ The hard sound of wore-shippers
scrapping along the hard road ]
[ Interpreter ] - Where are you from?
- from the Riko monastery
[ Int.] -How long have
you been doing this?
- For one year.
[ Int. ] - Where are you going?
- To Lasha
[ Int.] -But it is at least
300 miles to Lasha.
How long it will take you?
[ Int] - About 3 months.
[ Int.] - How many
prostration you do a day?
[ Int. ] - About 3000
[ Int. ] - A day?
- Less than 4 miles.
[ Female Narrator ] -Prostrations
are spiritual exercises.
It cleanses people of egotism,
greed, aggression and ignorance.
[ Orchestral music ]
[ Local voices of prayers ]
[ Male Narrator ] -Tibetans
make a pilgrimage to Lhasa
just once in their lives.
There they pray for their spiritual
leaders; who fled the Country in
1959 in the face of Chinese
treats to destroy them.
They honour and venerate Karnapa.
Gyalwang Karmapa.
The head of a long established
Kagyu line in Tibete.
Older than the Sect of the Dalai Lama.
Kamapa marched with more than
100 monks over the Himalayas into exile.
Untse? Karmapa's tutor, quickly
formed a new monastic community.
And the ancient traditional teachings
of Tibetan Buddhism continued to florish.
[ Many voices ]
[ Fem. Narrator ]This place is called
Rumtek, a monestary Sikkim which
was then a little Buddhist kingdom,
North of India, on the southern
slopes of the Himalayas.
The Rumtek monastery became the
new headquarters of Karmapa in exile.
[ Male Narrator ] - Karmapa
is the holder of the black crown; a
symbol of his mastership.
He is the living link of an
undropping chain of enlighted
beings back to the historical Buddha
Shakyamouni who lived in India
in 700 BC. He is Buddha.
Buddah Shakyamouni,
transmits his qualities
to his people, who also became enlighted
and are able to help thei pupils or
so to reach the stage of self liberation.
In the 12th century, this chain
of enlighten beings, led to
the 1st Karmapa. Who then developed
the unique ability to predict exactly and
in writing his own reincarnation.
As did the 2nd Karmapa and
the 3rd and so fourth up to him
the present the 16th of reincarnation.
of Karmapa. He died 1n 1991 at
the age of 57. His body was
cremated at Rumetk monestary.
It was a State funeral. nd mourners
gather from all corners of the earth.
Karmapa has millions of followers.
He left behind 4 number of
representatives or interim regents.
Sharma on the right, Tai Sitou
on the left, Jamgon and Gyaltsab,
the youngest of the interim regents.
Rainbows over the blue sky of Sikkim.
In Tibete a sure sign of an enlighten
being has left its body. In Buddhism
death is not the end.
Karmapa died with the promise that
he would give a clear sign by which
he could be recognised in his new life.
But for a long time no
more clues were found.
Until eleven years later.
[ Dalai Lama ] - I've got something new.
I've dreamed of the location, the area
- Says the 14th Dalai Lama...
-'' the... the location
the area...
where the person is born...
One valley is next...
to the stones and lawns...
actually it looks high altitude...
and then facing the South
there are some streams...small beautiful
streams... and then there is a main...
the picture. There is
someone there...and it
told me... actually without its form....
that someone...some source, you see,
telling to me : ''This is the place!
Where Karmapa was born.
[ Fem. Narrator ] where
could this place be?
How could it be found?
[ Tromp Music + ]
[ Male narrator ] - Here in northern
India, is where Taï Sitou, one of
Karmapas of 4 interim regents
made an interesting disovery.
[ Sound of a box being open ]
[ Male narrator] - pressured by the faithful
that hope and expected Karmapa has
left some clues behind, Sitou felt
that he should open the talisman
Karmapa had given him 10 months,
before his death with the words:
''This will protect you and some
day it will be useful.
His Sanctity has given me this protection.
...pouch.... In early January 1981.
And one day it was sneaking here...
I opened that and found an envelope.
And the envelope had red ink letter
saying that this should be opened
in the iron horse year. And then I
was very very happy.
And then after the , after I offer the
letter to Rumtek...it would be taken
in March 1982.
[ Male narrator ] - Traditionally such
talisman are never opened;
but since no one had
found any indication of Karmapa's
rebirth, he decided to open it, afterall.
[ someone ]- But the letter is still...
[ Taï Sitou ]- The letter is in Rumtek,
yes. The envelope and
the letter, both... It's in alter.
[ Male narrator ] - here in the Rumtek
monastery, in the late heathquarters of
the late Karmapa, this most important
and holy document is protected by
the secret police; those
from outside and inside.
Absolutely no one has access to it.
Only Karmapa himself when
he returns his new reencarnation
has the right to break these seals.
[ Sitou ] - But I have a copy here
of the sacred letter and
this is in Tibetanian;
so i read this:
[ Translation of reading by Sitou ]
- Self awareness is always blessed.
A diamong dirt has no centre or
edge; from here to the North
and East of the land of snow
is a country where divine
thunders spontaneous blazes.
In a good nomads place
with a sign of a cow.
"methode is Deundroub
and wisdom is Lolaga."
Born in the year one
used for the earth.
with miraculous far reaching
sound of the the white one.
This system is known as karmapa.
He is sustained by a lord Droupa.
Being no sectarian he
prevades in all directions.
Staying close to some
and distant from others
he is the protector of all beings.
[ Sitou ] -When I discovered these
I was very pleased. and actually it
was a tremendous relief; it was
exactly the blessing and also
inspiration of the highest aspect.
In which we have been waiting
and we were finally blessed by it.
So I was very very happy.
[ Sound of a bell ]
[ Narrator ] - This letter was
interpreted by Gyaltsab on the left
Jamgon, Sitou and Sharmapa
on the right, workinng together.
They al came to a unanimous
conclusion which Gyaltsab
reads to us.
[ Translator/narrator male ] - From here
to the North in the East of the land
of snow, we interpret here
as Rumtek, where Karmapa
wrote the letter. And in the East
of the land of snow means
we have to look for him
in east Tibet because
land of snow is the
Tibetan name for Tibet.
Where dine thunders
spontaneous blazes
indicates a district in
Eastern Tibet.
''Lha'' means divine
and ''Thok'' means thunder.
There is only one community
in Eastern Tibet named Lhathok.
The letter describes the area
more precisely as a good nomad
place with a sign of a cow.
''Good'' means a good fertile area
this area must have a name
which includes the syllabus ''KAh''
meaning cow.
The next line, the method is
Deundroub and wisdom is Lolaga
predicts the name of the parents.
It refers to the Buddhist symbolism.
The sun symbolises the masculine
principle of the method. And the
moon symbolises the
female principle of wisdom.
Therefore the father must be
named Deundoup,
and the mother Lolaga.
Born in the year of the one used
for the earth prophecises
the year of his birth.
During the relevant period
of the Tibetan calender there
is in addition to snake, dragon,
hair and tiger, only one animal
sign used for the earth, the ox, in 1985.
The words the miraculous far
reaching sound of the white one
refer to the white conk shell that
we use in Tibet in religious music,
which is always called the ''white one''.
Sustained by Lord Droupa, refers to
Sitou whom buddhist name of honour is
Droupa. In his previous life,
Sitou had identified the last
Karmapa and was chosen to
exercise his function once again.
With respect so much for the moment
Jamgon, Karmapa's other Interim Regent
[ Interviewer ] -What do you
think personally of the letter?
[ Jamgon ] - very precise
[ Interviewer ] - do you think that the
information which the letter contained
and how you interpret it, will enable
you to find the reincarnation of Karmapa?
- Yes; we ought to say that. Yes, it is
very clear and very precise. And that
is why we are all very confident
about finding his Holiness... or Him...
[ Narrator ] - Because of visa problems
a copy of the letter is sent together
with the interpretation to Tsurphu's
monastery in Tibet.
Tsurphu, has been the seat of all
Karmapas for 800 years.
[ The sound of the
gong and the tromp ]
[ Male Narrator ] - Drupon
Déchen, the abbot of the
monastery gives Lama Tomo
the task of leading the search
with the letter as a guide.
[ Translator ] - Take Ashang Letro with you,
and travel to Kham,
East Tibet and then follow
the directions in the letter.
The reincarnation of Karmapa,
is something so unique; is like
an offering cup
made of a pure blue gems.
Hopefully, after 12 years
of waiting all our wishes are
going to be fulfilled.
The letter brings a blessing.
For Tomo this is the greatest
task of his life. Only a handful
of people know of his mission;
because indications and conditions
could be manipulated and
the search could therefore fail.
As discreetly as possible
Tomo sets up on his long
journey together with his
companions; 70 year old
Ashang Letro, with the white hat,
Titi his attendant, a driver and Pato.
[ Fem. Narrator ] - no one in tibet
is allowed to travel without
official permission. Therefore Pato
in the black coat government officer,
accompanies them.
[ Music beat for the road ]
[ Fem. Narrator ] - It is more than
1,600 km to Lathok, east of Tibet.
And several military check points
have to be passed.
[ Music beat for the road including
a Tibetan song ]
- Pato! ''You simply will say that
you are on a official inspection trip;
and that you were kind
enough to take us along.''
- ''Tomo Lama will not tell anyone
of what we are looking for;
we will pretend to be pilgrims.''
[ fem. Narrator ] - The job they
have to do is very risky; because
searching for reincarnation is
condemned as a superstition
activity by the Chinese
and severely punished.
Therefore they have to keep
the reason for their journey
strictly a secret. And if they
really find Karmapa their
hope is that Karmapa wil protect them.
Karmaka is not like an ordinary
reincarnation; He is a living Buddha.
And the Chinese would
provoke an upraise in Tibet
if the chose to condemn him;
as they did up to now with many others.
[ Male Narrator ] - For 30
years the Tibetans
have been strictly forbidden for
practising their religion.
In the meantime however
very few selected monasteries
were given permission to rebuild.
The monasteries were centres of
education for everyone.
the country on the roof of the world
is as big as west Europe or
a quarter of the US.
But onlly with 6,000.000 inhabitants.
Since 1960, Beijing has been oppressing
Tibet wit one half million soldiers.
Colonising it for what there are now
8,000,000 new Chinese settlers.
[ Fem. Narrator ] - More than a 1,000.000
Tibetans have been killed.
The country has been looted.
Tibet national resources are
plundered and nearly all of
the wild animals have been wiped out.
Before the Chinese started
to build roads one could see
great hordes of antelopes
wild donkeys and Yaks.
Today only a few birds are left.
[ Male narrator ] - Tibetans do not
kill animals just for fun or profit;
it would be against their faith.
The majority are nomads who
live with and not against nature.
Tibetan sounds... traditional song
with English theme ''misery'' ]
The Himalayan Valley can
be so large that it takes
all day to cross it.
If the jeep has a breakdown
there is no one who can help.
It is so cold that in the morning
one can drive over frozen rivers
but by midday they've
thaw out again.
These extremes of temperature
are repeated day after day.
Tibetan sounds... traditional song
with English theme ''misery'' ]
[Fem. Narrator ] - This is a search
where nothing can go wrong.
The monks from Tsurphu bear
an enormous responsibility.
If they're not able to find Karmapa
they will disappoint millions
of people whose faith in reincarnation
as a law of nature, would be
deeply shaken.
[ Male Narrator ] - The search party now
has to proceed on horse back,
because there are no roads
into the district of Lhathok .
They need 4 riding horses and
1 pack horse for at least 2 weeks.
Horses are rear and not easy
to get but with friendly words
they quickly come to terms.
[ Sound of dialogue and bell ringing ]
Before drinking one always sacrifices
a few drops to the angry spirits.
[ Fem. Narrator ] - If the beer is
made out of barley or salted
butter tea which tastes like
a greasy grog.
[ Sound of dialogue and bell ringing ]
[ Male Narrator ] - The horses
of the Himalayas are pretty small
and pretty tough.
[ Sound of dialogue and bell ringing ]
[ Male Narrator ] - Without giving
themselves away the men
continue the search.
Now the arduous part of the
journey begins. The day's ride
to Lhathok over high passes
are too dangerous ravines
[ Rhythmic tambourine sounds ]
[ Male Narrator ] - The monks
of Tsurphu have sent Pato on ahead
to see if the coast is clear and
to find accomodation in Lhathok.
After thee days in the saddle
Pato reaches Lhathok.
Above the village at the C--- monastery
which was completed
destroyed by the invaders
in 1966 and recently rebuilt.
The Abbot Lama Palden welcomes
the camouflaged pilgrims fro Tsurphu.
He spent 25 years in prison.
Now once again he looks after the
little boys sent to the monastery
for education.
[ Fem. Narrator ] - Could
Karmapa only be among them?
[ Male Interviwer ]- Lama Palden, do you
have any unusual children?
[ Translator ] - Recently many children
from the area have again begun
to enter the monastery and although
I am able to see if a child
has special skills and qualities
I'm not able to see where they've
been in their previous lives.
[ A Bhutanese Voice...]
[ Fem. narrator ] - Tradition says that
there had been earlier incarnation
of karmapa who identified themselves
with they're very first words:
'' I am Karmapa''
In the case of such a child however,
his personal data always has to
correspond exactly with the
indications in the letter of prophecies.
[ Voices of happy children ]
[ Male narrator ] - Tomo and lodro
not only interviewed monks . They also
talked to people outside the monastery.
[ Translator ] - They asked me about
a place with "Kor" in its name.
Yes i said: Bakor the Valley of the cows.
And they wanted to know if
there was a woman named Lolaga.
Yes there is. And her husband is
called Deundoup.
The men said they ele... and they
wanted to know all about their children.
So I told them Lolaga and Deundoup
had six daughters and three sons.
The eldest must have been
born in the year of the hair.
The middle one in the year of the ox;
and the younger in the year of the pig.
When they heard all that one
of them folded his hands and
begun to weep.
[ Horse bells ]
Male Narrator ] - Earlier the next day
they rode on; if everything goes well
they can reach Bakor the same day.
[ Horse bells and excite voices
of the riders...cries in the sky ]
[ Fem. Narrator ] - 12 years of
waiting now only one more
pass to cross.
[ Instrumental sounds of music...
sounds of the flute...]
Bakor, a valley where only
nomads live.
Here there are neither houses
nor mail nor electricity; the men
from Tsurphu find it hard to imagine
that their enlighten Karmapa
the Buddha could have chosen this
of all places for His reincarnation.
What reason might he have?
[ The sound of lambs can be heard ]
[ Male narrator ] - Could this be Lolaga?
People here still live the way
they did in primitive times.
[ The sound of the wheel...
Natives dialogue...laugh...a dog barks ]
[ Male Narrator ] - Team
L... the search party
finds its way to the tent of
Deundoup and Lolaga.
If what they heard is true then
thei middle son who was born
in the year of the ox must be Karmapa.
[ Sound of music
coming to a crescendo...]
The indications in the secret letter
and the facts as they find them here
are exactly the same.
The dream of the Dalai Lama
has been confirmed.
[ The voice of the Dali Lama...
has he spoke of his dream...] ''One valley
and some streams...small streams
there is someone there...and all means
all this is the place, where
Karmapa is born.''
33 years after the 16th karmapa
had to flee from the Chinese
invaders and Tsurphu
was completely destroyed
the 17th Karmapa returns
once again to His ancestral home.
[ The sound of the tromps...]
Fem. Narrator ] - Karmapa's power
to conscientiously change from one
life to another is something
which evokes deep devotion
and respect from tibetans.
We don't see Him as a child, we
see Him as a person who bears
with Him wisdom of 16 lives
of Buddahwood.
[ Many native voices can be heard...
tromp instruments and bells ringing]
[ Male Narrator ] - He's been shown
is throne in the great wall of prayer.
- No not the little one, the
large one over there!
Having been informed that
karmapa had been found
Sitou comes to greet Him.
[ The sound of the tromps...]
...With Gyaltsab one of the Regents.
They come to welcome the new Karmapa.
[ Sound of Tibetan prayers... ]
[ Male Narrator ] - In Tibet,
great moments such as this
don't happen spontaneously.
They are subjected to a srict
traditional ritual.
[ Sound of Tibetan prayers... ]
Umzé the pupils tutor master of
ceremonies of the previous
Karmapa in Rumtek.
[ Fem. Narrator ] - How much does
Karmapa remember about Umzé
or the others who were so familiar
to Him in the previous life?
[ Sound of Tibetan prayers... ]
[ Male Narrator ] - And this is the
occasion to the official photograph.
To commemorate Karmapas
successful reincarnation.
[ Sound of a camera...a flash.
fast modern music ]
[ Male Narrator ] - The news spread
quickly; they are all over the world.
Karmapa's personality and his
unique abilities arouse much
interest in the West.
Without any effort on his part
his appearence coincides with
the general interest of Buddhism
outside Asia. A little son of Tibetans nomads
from Lathok is officially
recognised by the Dalai Lama,
as the true reincarnation of karmapa.
[ Interviewer ] - What was the bases
for your recognition?
- ''so what I rely to? I do not simply
relying...on just one or two test. So I
proceed some...my usual method.
Regarding the choosing of the reincarnation.
Then the indication is positive.
So then I decided it. Ok, that's good.
[ Male Narrator ] - Ultimately a Karmapa
proves himself by his deeds.
The letter of prophecy that he wouldn't
be staying close to some
and distant from others.
He is the protector of all beings.
[ The voice of young Karmapa
can be heard ]
[ Translator ] - A few of the holes
are quite big.
[ Male Narrator ] - Some Karmapas
have left the impressions of their
fingers in the stone, to prove
the power mind over matter.
The Chinese left gaping holes
in the wall which proves their
faith in the power that
comes from the barrel of the gun.
and demonstrating their
hatred of religion.
[ Fem. Narrator ] - Religion in Tibet is
something all together different
from what Max, Mao, or other
material meant by it.
Buddhism is not the opium
of the people.
Buddhism made the people
gentile and peaceful .
This makes their brutal fate
particularly tragic and bitter.
[ Karmaka asking...]
[ Translator ] - ''Is this Karmaka's house?''
[ Male Narrator ] - It was in this little
house that the 1st Karmapa
begun his life of reincarnation.
At that time, in the 12th century
there was no monastery;
only wilderness.
He meditated in here for decades.
In order to become master of
his own spirit.
All of 16 karmapas were
clearly identified by the
prophecies they left behind
in their previous life.
And this way the line of
reincarnations has remained
unbroken for 800 years.
The fist Karmapa became
famous for his miracles.
And a monastery grew up
around his modest little house
that circle it.
Like the first Karmapa his
successors withdrew from
monastic life to the seclusion
of their hermitages and caves.
[ Fem. Narrator ] These existing
places of retreating are objects
of veneration for pilgrims.
Most of them are still in use.
[ Male narrator ] - Surviving here in
winter at temperatures of - 40 degrees
is proof enough of extraordinary
spiritual power.
[ Fem, Narrator ] - It was in this
hermitage along with his mother,
that the 10th Karmapa spent
30 years meditating. In each
life again and again the karmakas
took profound discipline, attained
that clear sightedness which unable
them to see beyond
the borders of death.
[ Male Translator ]- This is the cave
where the 10th Karmapa meditated
most of his life.
[ Sound of prayers... bells ringing ]
[ Sound of steps... soft music... ]
- Reincarnation aside, all the little boys
previously identified by the
letters o the deceased Karmapas
turned up to have outstanding
personalities, musicians, poets,
engineers, philosophers, who
also had a gift of prophecy.
[ Sound, cries of birds...]
-The ninth Karmapa, sat here and
left the imprint of his back in the rock.
Those who rub against it are
sometimes healed of a desease.
[ Musical instruments...
bells ringing; voices ]
[ Fem. Narrator] - Meditation without
any distraction is the only need of
transcending the limits of the body.
In order to achieve highest
enlightenment the 7th Karmapa
had himself rolled
in here for 7 years.
Without words, eye contact.
Food and drink was given to Him
through a hole in the wall and
left to another opening in the bottom
of a tiny stone box where he could
not stretch his legs.
[ Sound of bells ringing and music ]
[ Male Narrator ] - At an elevation
of 4,500 m the 2nd Karmaka had
his hermitage.
[ Sound of bells ringing
music... heavy breathing ]
In this house he would survive
an earthquake and the attacks
by the Chinese in 1966.
[ Sound of heavy breathing and voices ]
It is the testimony to the strength
of Tibetan Buddhism that despite
everything which has happen in recent
years, the 17th Karmapa is able to
once again reclaim his ancestor home
and give new life to it.
By once dying and returning with a
new body and a new nationality
he surmounts political borders
which would be impossible to
cross with the same
body and as an exiled.
[ The voice of Young Karmapa...]
[ Fem. Narrator ] - This is His first
outing since he has returned to Tsurphu.
It takes Him through the lower
garden a passes by the protective
Mahakala, who watches over the
teachings of Buddah at
the gates of Tsurphu.
[ The sound of voices...
and of Young Karmapa...]
400 years before the birth
of the 1st Karmapa, Padmasambhava
the founder of Tibetan Buddhism,
made a prophecy which said
that completing the work of Karmapa,
would require 21 reincarnations.
Orgyen Trinlé is the 17th of the
predicted 21 Karmapas.
[ The voice of Young
Karmapa... other voices ]
[ Translator ] - ''There is something
in there. A demon lives in this stone.
It has to get rid of, or something
will happen.''
[ 2nd Tanslator ] ''Can't we wait until
tomorrow?
- No; now!
- Take them out and don't get tired.
- I will show you where it
has to go.''
[ The voice of Young
Karmapa...birds and human sounds ]
- ''That's where it should be buried.''
[ 1st Translator ] - but the wall
may cave in if we remove the stone.
Should't we support it?
[ 2nd Translator ] ''No; ''
[ 1st Translator ] ''Very well then
lets begin.
[ Dialogue among locals ]
[ Fem. Narrator ] - In Tibet it is not
at all unusual for demons to take
possession of a stone to spread evil.
To break in such stone in a special
ceremony, and forces the demon to sleep
is quite common.
[ The voice of Young
Karmapa... other voices ]
[ Male narrator ] - apparently this
demon is particularly unpleasant
and the Karmapa wants him buried.
[ The voice of Young
Karmapa... other voices ]
[ 1st translator ] - ''It needs
to get a decent funeral.
Only monks are allowed to
dig its grave...
[ The voice of Young
Karmapa... other voices ]
...and needs to be given a bed of flowers.
[ Human voices... the sound
of thunder...storm approaching ]
[ The voice of Young
Karmapa... other voices ]
[ 1st Translator ] - ''Here he'll find peace!''
[ 2nd Translator ] - ''Be there and
come down!'' ]
[ Sound of the rain falling...]
[ Fem. Narrator ] - Did he just
imagine all this? Or has he a
kind of perception which
we lack?
[ Rain sounds music
and laughter... ]
[ Male Narrator ] - Sitou and Gyaltsab
have arrived. They planned
something special for today.
[ Sounds of music
and laughter... ]
A vacation from the monastery
can last for a couple of days.
The Tibetans like picnics and
outdoor activities.
[ Sounds of music
and laughter at play... ]
[ Fem. Narrator ] - The 12th Sitou
and the 17th Karmapa have
rediscovered a friendship which
have lasted for 12 lifetimes. Stronger
than any family tie.
[ Male Narrator ] - At a party like this,
even as someone as Gyalstab, one of
the interim regents can become playful.
Former state leader of Rock n' Roll.
[ Sounds of excitement
and enjoyment from dancers ]
The surprise is ready; now
Karmapa can come in.
[ TV Sounds in background ]
[ Male Narrator ] - A generator, a
television set and a video recorder,
have been brought from Lhasa
specially for today.
He's never seen
machines like this before.
At least not in this life.
Sitou has bought along a special
film which he now shows Karmapa.
[ The sound of tromps on TV ]
- It is a film about the 16th Karmapa.
[ The sound of tromps on TV mounting ]
[ As Narrated on TV ] - ''The last
Karmapa was born in Tibet in 1924.
He fulfilled the prophecies of
(Adna Amana). He was in Butan
in the 18th century his monastery
will be the centre of the activity
of his successor Karmapas, who
by that activity will liberate
a considerable number
of central beings...
[ Group voice sounds and comments ]
[ As Narrated on TV ] - Many thousands
of families in Tibet as closely as the
Karmapa people and always
give generously to the monastery.
Tibetans are sure that the new
incarnation of the ''Yelba ''Karmapa
one day will comeback to Thsurpu.''
[ End of Narration on TV ]
[ Sound of prayers...]
[ Male Narrator ] - In 1974, the
16th Karmapa blessed westerners
for the first time.
[ The sound of Tibetan tromps...
then modern music ]
- On arriving in the United States
he went to ''Araibe'' in the Arizona desert,
to pay his respects to native
Americans the Hopi.
[ Rock n' Roll Music type...]
- The Hopis have an ancient prophecy
that says: ''when the man with
the red hat comes a bridge
of wisdom will be built between
East and West.
[ Sounds of primitive music...]
- After Karmapa's visited, the Hopi
called a meeting of medicine men.
They confirmed that karmapa had
fulfilled their prophecy.
Karmapa then travel to a
number of American cities.
[ Modern Western Music
Mingling with Tibetan Tromp ...]
[ Karmapa/Translator ] - What is your name?
- Lina
[ Karmapa/Translator repeat ]
- Lina
[ Male Narrator ] - After he left centres
for Tibetan Buddhism were founded.
[ Modern Western Music
and many laughs ...]
[ Fem. Narrator ] - What is
actually involved in this
continuity of the spirit?
What is it that persist from
one life to another?
Levels of conscientiousness?
Certain types of behaviour?
Belief in a direct connection
between one life and another
is made possible by our own
personal subjective experience.
[ Male Narrator ] - The Buddhists
believe that every human being
is the focal point of a spiritual
as well a biological heritage.
Karmapa is spiritually descended
from karmapa.
Biologically this is is father.
Karma Deundoup Tashi. Aged 54;
[ Fem. Narrator ] - And this is his mother.
Lolaga Poldosum. age 46.
[ Male narrator ] - They are nomads.
In eastern Tibet , in the Province of Kham.
In the Lhathok district.
Music panning trough the fields ]
And this is the Bakor Valley.
The family have been living
here for generations.
[ Fem. Narrator ] - By the time
Karmapa was born in 1985
Lolaga had already given birth
to (7) seven children.
There is (6) daughters today
aged between 10 and 25.
They were all born in quick
success after the birth of their
eldest son, Rabsel.
Together with the grand mother
12 people live in this tent.
[ Male Narrator ] - The climate up here
at 300 m is one of extremes.
The temperatures range from
40 below zero to more than
a hundred above.
[ Fem. Narrator ] - After having
the fourth daughter the family
had longed for a second son.
when their 6th child turn up
to be another daughter he
decided to have a serious
consultation with the old
abbot of the ( ) monastery.
He gave them instructions to
help them get the second son.
- Help these in need every day;
feed the fish in the river and the
birds and the stray dogs.
And in addition they were
to say the prayer of refuge,
111 thousand times.
But when yet another daughter
was born the old abbot had died.
Lama Palden became his successor.
And he gave them the same advice.
I addition he recommended a
pilgrimage to Lhasa.
The father travel to central Tibet
while the woman stayed home
with family and continued to pray.
After 50,000 prayers
Lolaga was pregnant.
The family prayers were intensified.
The father said tens of thousands.
But the largest number,
more than a 1,000 a day
were said by the grandmother.
She tells how the birth of her daughter
there had been signs that Lolaga
would greatly benefit Buddhism.
[ Swish... swosh... sounds...
children voices ]
- She always offers to Buddha
her first bowl of tea.Now Buddha
is part of her family; devotion
is nevertheless the same.
[ The sound of bells ringing...]
[ Male narrator ] - climate of Tibet
20 or more cups of salted butter
tea every day are a matter of survival.
Their main food is Tsampa.
Barley flour kneaded with butter tea.
In addition they eat a
fair amount of meat.
Vegetables do not grow up here.
Their eldest son Rapsel, 27
is responsible for the heards.
Karmaka's family owns
about 90 yaks. This is enough
to supply their own needs, and
produce surplus of butter which
they can trade for the barley
grown in the lowlands.
[ The sound of a flute...
a dog backs... happy tune ]
- They use every part of the animal.
Not just the meat and milk. The hair
of the yak is spunned into the threads
with which they make their tents.
The fir itself is made into blankets
and coats which are won
in winter and summer. Nothing
is thrown away. For the Tibetans
Nature is sacred.
[ The sound of various human voices
musical instruments... happy tune ]
- In 1985 the summer pasture of
th Karmapa family was only one
valley away.
(4) Four times a year the family
packs up and moves the heards
to knew grazing lands.
[ Musical instruments...
the flute...running water. ]
They set up their tents there in
earlier June...
[ Fem. Narrator ] - In the last month
of Lolaga's pregnancy; the 111
thousands prayers still not
all said anxiously they asked
themselves... - Will it be
a boy this time?
[ Male Narrator ] - She dreamed
of (3) three white cranes who
brought her a golden letter
from Padmasambhava,
- the founder of Buddhism in Tibet.
They told her to
keep the letter a secret
until the time was right.
[ Lolaga's Translaor ] '' This is the
place and the tent. In it Karmapa
was born on the 26 of Jun 1985.
It was an easy birth; short before
sunrise, on a beautiful morning.
[ Deundoup's Translator ]
- I can't explain but the evening before
there was a rainbow over the tent
even the sun already sat. Naturally
I had no idea that the child was Karmapa.
There were many wondrous signs
which accompany his birth made
us very happy; and gave us the
certainty that this child would
be a grate benefit to Buddhism.
[ Lolaga's Interpreter ] - At hiis birth
the king of birds landed on the tent
and sang a wonderful song.
[ Deundoup's Translator ] - On the 4th
day after his birth we also certainly heard
conk shells horns resounding everywhere.
At first I thought it was an aeroplane.
Everyone around here heard it.
this sound lasted for one hour and a half.
Our neighbours, the (seepers,
the stray dogs and the shadsons)
will tell you the same thing.
I looked out but I couldn't see anything.
[ Mysterious Tibetan sounds echoing... ]
- We question the neighbours...
'' Were you were here, when Lolaga's
second son was born?
- Yes; naturally.
- Did you notice anything unusual?
- Oh yes; very strange. Suddenly
everywhere in the valley you
could hear a sort of dawning
sound. I thought was a
swallow of bees; but there
was nothing to be seen.
It lasted for 2 hours.
When i was outside I thought
that the sound came from inside.
And when I was inside I thought
the sound came from outside.
[ Interviwer ] - Excuse me could we
ask you a question?
- When Lolaga's second son
was born can you remember
hearing anything unusual?
-Was there any special sound?
- Everywhere! Everywhere!
[ Tibetan voices and sounds ]
- I thought the a High Lama had
had come ridding into the valley
and an orchestra was accompanying
him with lots of conk shells. We looked
all around; the music
could be heard everywhere.
I couldn't tell from where
the sound was coming from.
There was no Lama either.
Nothing; just this loud
music in the air.
- How long did it last?
`About 2 hours.
- And when was that?
Summer; in the year
of the ox I think.
- That's it.
[ The great sound of the Conks ]
[ male narrator ] - Jokhang
temple in Lhasa is the focus of
Tibet's spiritual strength. It is
located below the Potala
the Dalai Lama's Palace.
Here in the Trokan Temple
Karmapa's hair will be cut
ceremonially as symbolic
to his bond to Buddha.
Normally this wright is
performed in front of
the Dalai Lama; but to Karmapa
is at the feet of the Jowo.
[ The sound of Buddhist Prayers ]
The Jowo is the most revered
Tibetan statue of the historical
Buddha, Shakyamouni.
This is only the second time
in Tibet's history that Karmapa
has celebrated hi hair cut ceremony
here in the holiest places of Tibet.
Karmapa is receiving is personal
Buddhist name for this life.
- Orgyen Trinlé Dorjé.
Plus nine other names. Now the
time has come. Sitou cuts a few hairs
and Orgyen Trinlé Dorjé
becomes a monk.
[ The Monks recite some Prayers ]
In a religious ceremony such as this
could take place with the
knowledge of the Chinese occupiers
also has its political consequences.
The fact is that the Chinese
consider reincarnation pure
superstition. even so they
recognise Orgyen Trinlé
as karmapa. And what's more
they do so only because the political
enemy, the Dalai Lama as identified Him
has the true reincarnation.
In view of the fact that the Dalai
Lama can't visit Tibet, and is
forbidden to even menntion
his name the Tibetans were
immensely gratified to see Karmapa
officially received the Dalai Lama's
congratulatory scarf or Katak
in full view of the Chinese occupiers.
[ The conk resounding in celebration
followed by Buddhist prayers ]
Tibet now has a spiritual leader
who is inside the Country.
And who is closely connected
to the Dalai Lama. This is only a
fist step but is a hopeful sign
for the survival of Buddhism in Tibet.
[ Various voices mingling with
Buddhist prayers ]
[ A vehicle is revved up ]
- In order for karmapa to travel
freely through out the world
and meet as many followers and to
complete the work of the 16th Karmapa
he will have to perform a delicate
political act between China, occupied
Tibet and the outside word.
[ Laughs and explicits
by the monks plus Karmapa ]
[ Fem. Narrator ] - If it is possible
for someone to decide where
and when the spirit will enter another
body, then one might ask why Marmapa
actually choose to be born her in Bakor.
He could have been born in Sikkim,
or in the United States where he died
or as a Butanest Principe, but
nothing like that. These were his
playmates;
[ Dogs barking in the distance ]
They led almost identical lives and
yet he is completely different.
Was there a sense of compaction that
moves Karmapa to chose this place?
These people? This martyr land
for his rebirth?
[ Children's voices...]
- His mother Lolaga, has only
animal dung as fuel for cooking
and heating the tent. She has to
pond it flat for drying. When she
was a child she collected dead
wood in the forests around here.
[ Male Narrator ] - It is hard to believe
that this area like the enormous expanses
of Eastern Tibet, was once a huge forest.
Full of trees so large that took
several men with outstretched arms
to circle them.
- What happen to the trees?
- In my childwood there was a
dense forest here; but during the last
decades all the forests
have been cut down.
One mountain after another has been
stripped. Here there are only tree stumps.
This is all we have left. The trees all
have been floated to China.
Now nothing grows here.
It's terrible.
[ Tibetan Male Voice explains...]
This little tree was planted by Karmapa
shortly before he entered Tsurphu.
The spring here had almost
completely dried up. And we
didn't have water left for
ourselves and our heards.
Now it's bubbling again;
Karmapa conducted a ceremony
in front of his freshly planted tree.
If he had't saved the spring
the summer pasture up here would have
been lost and we would have to
move down to river to find water
for our animals. But there the grasses
have all been eaten away...
[ Sounds fro teacher and pupil ]
[ Fem Narrator ] - Umzé was in
close contact with the 16th Karmapa
throughout his life.
He went into exile with him
in Sikkim and now at the age
of 72 he has returned to Tsurphu.
[ Karmapa reading the texts aloud...
the birds singing in background. ]
[ Fem. Narrator ] - Karmapa
does often feel like school.
But there are some texts which he
knows by heart after only one reading.
[ Karmapa reading the texts aloud...
the birds singing in background. ]
[ Melodious flute in the background ]
[ Male Narrator ] - It was June the 15th;
the day Karmapa arrived as our abbot
Drupon Déchen, told me, I was to
teach Karmapa. Traditionally one
starts with the alphabet; but he
learned all that at 12 already.
When he wants to he can learn
well and fast. He is very much
like the 16th Karmapa. He loves birds.
He likes to play. His mentality is
like that of his predecessor.
Later he will study metaphysics at
the very highest level. And some day he
will have some monks to educate
so he must become a great master himself.
He will be a leader who frees people
from their suffering, and brings
them great happiness. He is the living Buddha. He embodies Buddha's teachings,
and will disseminate them on all rounds
of existence. He will achieve great things.
At the moment he is a child. And so
there are still things that I can teach him.
Later this will no longer be the case.
I will serve him as long as I am too.
I am not a master myself, so there
isn't much I can give him. Besides
I am old and frail, I could be dead
in a month or in one or two
years, one doesn't know.
To the future he'll determine
his own activities. They will depend
on the power of his spirit and
the greatness of his compassion,
and on the degree of his enlightenment.
[ Fem. Narrator ] - Enlightenment is
neither a present nor an accident.
In his former life Karmapa
achieved this fro selflessness.
[ Male Narrator ] - It is sad that
the 16th Karmapa accepted is cancer
out of love for the people of the west.
He spent his last days in
this american hospital.
- Watching, as a physician...
an unstoppable disease
ravage his body, and yet, there
was kindness that never stopped.
[ Doctor ] - Every morning I
would go in an ask him:
- Are you having pain? And he would
smile at me and say:
No. - No pain. No pain.
It was very confusing for the staff.