Documentry : Little Tibet

Synopsis:
Sonam is about to go on a journey to one of the highest places on earth. As a
Tibetan who can no longer return to his own country, Sonam is in search of
Tibet outside of Tibet. Could Ladakh be that place?
Ladakh, in the northern most part of India, is often known as Little Tibet. It
borders Tibet and shares much of its culture, language and landscape. Here, in
this remote, high altitude land, Sonam finds the beauty of his culture both
preserved and living.
During his journey across the breathtaking landscape of the Himalayas, through
rain, snow and desert, Sonam discovers ancient Tibetan monasteries and talks
with nomads in Chang Thang, the pasturelands that once stretched over the
Indo-Tibetan border. He sees His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama give teachings
to an audience of thousands, joins in the celebrations of a Tibetan wedding and
encounters marmots.
In this land still rich in Tibetan culture, he finds the gems of his lost homeland,
but he cannot cross the tantalisingly close border and return to Tibet.

Synopsis: Choegyal Norsang

In ancient India, there were two Kingdoms, the Northern Abode of Prosperity ruled by the Buddhist King Norchen and his son Norsang, and the Southern Abode of Racial Purity ruled by the despotic Shakya Shony. When Shakpa Shony strayed from the righteous path of Buddhism to consult with demons and imps, his kingdom was so plagued with drought and disease that even the Nagas (water spirits) fled to the Northern Abode of Prosperity.

Hoping to avert further catastrophe and convince the Nagas to return, Shakpa Shony sought the help of the great sorcerer, “Holder of the Black Serpent in the Mouth,” who then went to Great Lotus Life Force Lake to bring the Nagas back. The Naga Queen entreated a fisherman to help the Nagas. The brave man agreed and the Queen gave him a magical whetstone to sharpen his sword. Aided by this magic, he slayed the sorcerer.

To express their gratitude, the Nagas gave the fisherman a “wish-fulfilling gem.” Mystified about what to do with so precious a gift, he sought the advice of the old Brahmin couple who lived with him. They said to take it to the holy hermit of Happy Mountain Cave who had lived more than five hundred years. When the fisherman asked how such immortality was possible, the hermit confided that he regularly swam in the “Brahma Bathing Pool” where even goddesses bathed occasionally.

The fisherman begged the hermit to lead him to the pool and, on an auspicious day, they went together. There he saw the most beautiful goddess, Yidrok Lhamo. With the Naga’s help, he captured her with a magical lasso. The hermit sagely advised the fisherman to make an offering of the goddess to young Prince Norsang. The royal family and ministers were amazed at the wisdom and bravery of the humble fisherman. Norsang and Yidrok married and lived blissfully for a while. But Norsang’s five hundred other wives were jealous. With the help of the evil priest, Black Hari, they invented a story of impending war, and Norsang set off with his army, leaving the goddess queen vulnerable.

The jealous queens then conspired to kill Yidrok. Black Hari sent a dream to the mind of the sleeping King Norchen. Asked for his interpretation, Black Hari said the dream meant his kingdom was threatened by a great evil that could be subdued only by a magic rite whose ingredients included the heart of a celestial being. When the jealous queens marched to the palace screaming for the goddess’s heart, Yidrok begged the Queen Mother for her crown and flew away to the Happy Mountain Cave. She told her sad story to the hermit, gave him a ring that was a gift from the Prince, asking him to return it to Norsang, and left for her heavenly home.

Norsang was filled with grief and anger when he returned home to find his beloved gone. With help from the gods, Norsang found the hermit’s cave. The hermit gave him the ring and Yidrok’s instructions. Norsang endured many hardships before he arrived at Yidrok’s heavenly home, only to find her father reluctant to let her return to earth. Her father devised a series of tests to determine if Norsang was worthy of such a heavenly prize. He triumphed in all the competitions and Yidrok was allowed to return with him to their earthly kingdom. Black Hari and the jealous wives were punished and a joyful King Norchen relinquished his throne to Norsang. The Dharma King (Choegyal in Tibetan) Norsang ruled the kingdom wisely and he and his celestial queen lived happily ever after.

Press Release Date:     (July 16, 2011)                                                                                     *Photo Opportunity*

CONTACT: (415) 264‐3264 or (707) 546-5460 BAFoT@Friends-of-Tibet.org

WHEN:                         Sunday, October, 2nd, 2011, 6-9 PM (boarding time at 5:45 PM)

WHERE: 310 Harbor Drive, Sausalito, Empress Yacht (Free Parking)

DONATION:                $75  -Limited seating

(San Francisco, CA) Experience a spectacular and enchanting Sunday Tibet Day Sunset Dinner Cruise. Bay Area Friends of Tibet (BAFoT) is pleased to invite you to our special celebration of anything Tibetan aboard a classic luxury yacht, a truly memorable way to explore the San Francisco Bay and immerse yourself in the Vast Love of Bay Area Friends of Tibet. Come enjoy the unique culture of Tibet on the Empress Yacht. Celebrate decades of Tibet-related public education efforts, nonviolent resistance, and BAFoT’s achievements, on the 136^th birthday of nonviolence/civil disobedience icon, Mahatma Gandhi.

Founded on Oct. 9, 1983, BAFoT is the oldest nonprofit 501(c)3 Tibet support group in the United States of America. In the 1990s BAFoT helped over 67 Tibetans and their families resettle into the San Francisco Bay Area leading to what is now the third largest Tibetan community in the country. BAFoT raised thousands of dollars to help contribute toward the recent establishment of the Tibetan Community Center of Northern California.

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Support BAFoT’s continuing mission to educate the public about Tibet, organize future grassroots events, and cooperate with other local, national, and international Tibet-related groups. Learn more about Tibetan issues through networking with the Bay Area’s Friends of Tibet. Learn and support BAFoT’s Special Projects:

• Outreach and education to the Chinese people about Tibet brings Americans and ethnic Chinese and Tibetans together to help bridge the gaps in understandings that may exist and build lasting friendship
• Semshae-Songs from the Heart ensures that Tibet’s language and culture of compassion is preserved through children’s music for all ages
• The Tibetan-Himalayan Healthcare Project improves the health of Ti betans and other communities in India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet
• Dzongkar Choede Monastery is one of the oldest monasteries in Tibet and an active Tibetan cultural center that needs your support
• Tibet Oral History Project records the life stories of elder Tibetans and preserves the reality of the situation in Tibet.
• Tibetan Women’s Soccer, introduces  a formal soccer training program to the female members of the Tibetan refugee community in India in order to improve their quality of life and foster a co nnection with female athletes worldwide
• TECHUNG is a film project that will be a half an hour documentary film highlighting the world renowned Tibetan musician, singer and composer, Tashi Dhondup Sharzur and his indomitable spirit in educating Tibetan exile kids and toddlers about Tibetan literature and language through songs and music.
• Activities and Campaigns of the International Tibet Network, resources of ITN, SF TEAM TIBET, and more!

Buy wonderful holiday gifts! The cruise will feature a silent auction as well as raffle. Also, it will include delicious Tibetan and Indian Food and admission includes an annual membership to the Bay Area Friends of Tibet. Donations and sponsors are welcomed. Our members and the general public are invited to join us sailing and celebrating.

CRUISE FLYER

PRESS RELEASE

CAAM, TILT & Sahayeta is doing a free 10 week video production workshop for Himalayan youth.  Here’s the link with the application form – we’re extending the deadline to Sept. 9th, next week and the course will be every Saturday from Sept. 24th through Dec. 3rd.

The youth will be given a stipend at the end of their training. There films will be screened at the SF Int. Asian American Film Festival and be screened for the community.

Here’s a more detailed review of the workshop sessions from:

This is a great opportunity for budding filmmakers to create their films! It’s a workshop that will teach a real skill that the youth can use to create their own media.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any other questions!
Thanks,
Sapana
–
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Sapana Sakya
Public Media Director
Center for Asian American Media (CAAM)
415.863.0814 x122
sapana@caamedia.org
caamedia.org

APPLY TO HIMALAYAN YOUTH VIDEO WORKSHOP!
http://caamedia.org/filmmaker-resources/himalayan-youth-video-workshop-application/

TANC’s Tibetan Memorial Quilts will be exhibited at the Tibet Festival all day.

Receive blessings and teachings from highly respected Lamas in blissful surroundings.

If you have not been to LMB, it is a beautiful, serene, and lovely place to spend the day.

Join us and bring your family & friends!

Ven. Jampa Kalden Rinpoche from Sera Lachi Monastery is here  in the Bay area. Rinpoche will be staying at Tsechenling from Tuesday and Saturday and later at Gyuto until first week of may. The monks from Sera Lachi will be starting the Sand Mandala from April 19th till 23rd.

What

Tibetan in Song

Trailer

Please don’t forget to spread this event!

Greetings from TANC Board and Momo-Makers!

It’s Memorial Day weekend and the Himalayan Fair will be in full swing at Live Oak Park in Berkeley tomorrow and Sunday, click here for details.

Come and taste the mouth-watering scrumptious Tibetan meat & vegetarian momos (dumplings) handmade fresh with love and compassion by TANC members!

Visit the TANC information booth to learn how you can join the Friends of TANC and receive a FREE color poster of His Holiness the Dalai Lama!

On Saturday between noon-1pm, come and watch TANC’s Tibetan School children perform traditional songs and dance for you!

Come and find us!

Entry to the fair is free though all donations are very much appreciated. Every $5.00 donated earns you a ticket to their yearly raffle. Prizes this year include a premium quality Tibetan rug and a trip to Nepal!!! Himalayan Fair proceeds directly benefit grassroots projects – including many Tibetan projects – in Himalayan countries.

Looking forward to sharing a great weekend with you!

Warmly,

TANC Board & Members

Live Oak Park is located at:
1300 Shattuck Avenue at the corner of Shattuck and Berryman in Berkeley. Street Parking only.

Saturday May 29 10am-7pm
Sunday May 30 10am-5:30pm