Clemens Kuby : Living Buddha, English

[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

ravaging 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.

It was obvious that he
was denying his illness.

So the staff was constantly
confronted with this person

that was dying but was still
more interested how they felt,

than how he felt.

[ Male Narrator ] - Karmapa
died on November the 5th 1981.

His principles students invited
me into the room and had me

holding my hand over...over
his heart area; and each day I was

amazed to find that it stayed warm.

...I wasn't as amazed at the 24 hours
but then at 48 and 72 hours I was to

be quite shocked. Traditionally
after...surely after death the

body becomes cold, a the circulation

stops; and in his holiness case
there was a definite warm,

over the areas of the heart.
As a physician I have

no explanation for this.

[ Voices of chanting and
the resounding of gongs]

[ Male Narrator ] - Ever since his death,

Karmakas followers, both monks and
lay people, have been praying

that he may quickly return
to earth in a human form.

[ The sound of many
Tibetan musical instruments ]

[ Fem. Narrator ] - A Karmapa is

not obliged to reincarnate.

He is free of all the confusion
anxiety and the attachments

which drives people compulsively

into a body. Karmapa only returns

when there are many who need
him and ask for himself.

[ The sound of many
Tibetan musical instruments ]

The spirit moves freely, independent

of where he has a body or not.

[ Male Narrator ] - The famous 1000
year old Tibetan book of death teaches

that experience is based on projection.

The projection is the image of the world

we make for ourselves and
which we call reality. According

to this traditional teaching the
world of our experience is a dream.

It's like watching a film which
emotionally is very real for us

but has little to do with the
reality of seating in the cinema.

Tibetans believe that like this
metaphor, experience

continues after death. The projector
is the spirit which can not die.

The show goes on, so to speak!

If we become conscientious
that is our mind wich produces

the film, the experience, then we
can stop the projector of our mind

and become aware that the true
nature of our spirits is emptiness.