Tibet: Encounters with the Absolute - DVD

This sequence of free-flowing visual impressions describes the feelings of four friends travelling through Western Tibet. The journey through Tibet roughly followed this route: Kathmandu (Nepal) – Zhangmu (border with China) – Nyalam – Tingri – Rongbuk (Everest Base Camp) – Mainpu – Saga – Dongpa – Paryang – Nyogze – Lhatse – Shigatse – Lhasa. The film does not attempt to document the entire expedition; rather, it is a depiction of the spiritual state of pilgrims in a wild and magical land, with its traditions and religion.

Bonuses:

• Pilgrimage sites of Tibetan Buddhism (2005 – 27 minutes)
An edited documentary about famous pilgrimage sites, i.e., mountains, lakes and monasteries in Tibetan Buddhism. The film is narrated by Prof. Tomáš Halík, who also wrote the commentary. The introduction explains the general meaning of pilgrimage and journeying. The film then takes us to Lhasa, Shigatse, the sacred Mount Kailash, Lake Manasarovar, and to the remote monasteries of Western Tibet and Kashmir. With the camera, we embark on the arduous and gruelling pilgrimage around Mount Kailash, where we meet Tibetan pilgrims. In conclusion, Tomáš Halík makes an interesting comparison between Tantric Buddhism and Christianity.