Weekend description –

The film “10 Questions for the Dalai Lama” has inspired a national weekend of Unity and Peace. October 19 - 21, 2007 is designated as a weekend of individual events designed to bring our communities together in a celebration of understanding, unity, tolerance, peace, and oneness.

The Weekend and the film are supported by such groups as the Foundation for Universal Responsibility of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Amnesty, Friends of Tibet, the Association for Global New Thought and the Bioneers

Visit www.unityandpeace.org to sign up and for hosting details as thousands of caring individuals prove the Dalai Lama’s words…

“I believe that individuals can make a difference in society. Since periods of change such as the present one come so rarely in human history, it is up to each of us to make the best use of our time to help create a happier world”

See Event Locations

Film Description –

Some of the questions posed to His Holiness the Dalai Lama by filmmaker and explorer Rick Ray examine some of the fundamental questions of our time by weaving together observations from his own journeys throughout India and the Middle East, and the wisdom of this extraordinary spiritual leader.

In an era when many religious and political leaders are viewed with suspicion, and when cynical agendas rule both government and clergy, the Dalai Lama is undeniably authentic and has influenced the world in so many ways. Part biography, part philosophy, part adventure and part politics, “10 Questions for The Dalai Lama” conveys more than history and more than answers - it opens a window into the heart of a great man. Film website can be found at www.thedalailamamovie.com

For more information, please contact:

Michelle Glenn
Program Director

mglenn@montereymedia.com
(800) 424-2593

ABOUT THE FILM

How do you reconcile a commitment to non-violence when faced with violence? Why do the poor often seem happier than the rich? Must a society lose its traditions in order to move into the future? These are some of the questions posed to His Holiness the Dalai Lama by filmmaker and explorer Rick Ray. Ray examines some of the fundamental questions of our time by weaving together observations from his own journeys throughout India and the Middle East, and the wisdom of an extraordinary spiritual leader. This is his story, as told and filmed by Rick Ray during a private visit to his monastery in Dharamsala, India over the course of several months. Also included is rare historical footage as well as footage supplied by individuals who at great personal risk, filmed with hidden cameras within Tibet. Part biography, part philosophy, part adventure and part politics, “10 Questions for The Dalai Lama” conveys more than history and more than answers - it opens a window into the heart of an inspiring man.

Some have called him "the rock star of peace." The man known as the 14th Dalai Lama is both an extraordinary spiritual leader and the exiled head of Tibet. He is also a scholar, Nobel Peace Prize winner and humble Buddhist monk with a mischievous sense of humor who travels the world promoting compassion, tolerance and peace.

The film will enjoy a strategic US theatrical release beginning with the 2007 visit of His Holiness and culminating with a simultaneous nationwide event weekend prior to the North American DVD release Tuesday, October 23rd.

SHORT SYNOPSIS

Against the backdrop of an exotic land, a lone filmmaker is granted one hour to ask ten questions of the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet. Containing rare historical footage as well as footage taken inside Tibet, a story is woven between a journeyman's personal observations, the troubled history of a government-in-exile, and the life and wisdom of one of the premiere spiritual leaders of our time.

THE 14TH DALAI LAMA OF TIBET

HIS HOLINESS THE 14TH THE DALAI LAMA TENZIN GYATSO, is the head of state and spiritual leader of the Tibetan people. He was born Lhamo Dhondrub on 6 July 1935, in a small village called Taktser in northeastern Tibet. Born to a peasant family, His Holiness was recognized at the age of two, in accordance with Tibetan tradition, as the reincarnation of his predecessor the 13th Dalai Lama, and thus an incarnation Avalokitesvara, the Buddha of Compassion. The Dalai Lamas are the manifestations of the Bodhisattva (Buddha) of Compassion, who chose to reincarnate to serve the people. Lhamo Dhondrub was, as Dalai Lama, renamed Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso - Holy Lord, Gentle Glory, Compassionate, Defender of the Faith, Ocean of Wisdom. Tibetans normally refer to His Holiness as Yeshe Norbu, the Wishfulfilling Gem or simply Kundun - The Presence.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee's decision to award the 1989 Peace Prize to His Holiness the Dalai Lama won worldwide praise and applause, with exception of China. The Committee’s citation read, “The Committee wants to emphasize the fact that the Dalai Lama in his struggle for the liberation of Tibet consistently has opposed the use of violence. He has instead advocated peaceful solutions based upon tolerance and mutual

respect in order to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of his people.” His Holiness often says, “I am just a simple Buddhist monk - no more, nor less.”

 

His Holiness follows the life of Buddhist monk. Living in a small cottage in Dharamsala, he rises at 4 A.M. to meditate, pursues an ongoing schedule of administrative meetings, private audiences and religious teachings and ceremonies. He concludes each day with further prayer before retiring. In explaining his greatest sources of inspiration, he often cites a favorite verse, found in the writings of the renowned eighth century Buddhist saint Shantideva:

For as long as space endures

And for as long as living beings remain,

Until then may I too abide

To dispel the misery of the world.

For as long as space endures

And for as long as living beings remain,

Until then may I too abide

To dispel the misery of the world.

www.thedalailamamovie.com

10 QUESTIONS FOR THE DALAI LAMA - REVIEWS

The Washington Post:

“[the film] serves as a nicely crafted, economic (it's only 85 minutes) introduction to that most eminent of men, the spiritual leader and deposed head of state of Tibet...it gives such an affectionate portrait of the man some call "Kundun" ("The Presence") that it's highly engaging.”

- STEPHEN HUNTER, The Washington Post, Friday, June 22, 2007

- http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/21/ AR2007062100694.html

The San Francisco Chronicle (3 out of 4 stars):

“ There have been several documentaries about the Dalai Lama, but few have done a better job of packaging the Tibetan religious leader's circumstances, both historical and current, along with his philosophies, than Rick Ray's "10 Questions for the Dalai Lama."”

- G. ALLEN JOHNSON, San Francisco Chronicle, Friday, June 8, 2007

- http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=596144&category=MOVIEREVIEWS&BCCode=&newsdate=7/27/2007

Oakland Tribune:

Film critic Barry Caine interviews Director Rick Ray

The director and the Dalai Lama: Film offers spiritual insight “ RICK RAY did not plan on meeting his idol — and making a movie about their meeting — when he went to India in 2001 to do a travel documentary. But since he was already there, the Santa Barbara resident e-mailed the Dalai Lama, got through to his personal secretary and waited...”

BARRY CAINE, Staff Writer, April 27, 2007

This interview was originally posted on the InsideBayArea.com web site.

The text can still be found online at:

http://www.nhne.org/news/NewsArticlesArchive/tabid/400/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/2968/Default.aspx

The Boston Globe:

Getting answers from the Dalai Lama “One comes away from "10 Questions" emboldened, energized, and sadder -- aware that peace remains so radical a concept that most of us aren't yet worthy of it.”

- TY BURR, STAFF WRITER, June 22, 2007

- http://www.boston.com/movies/display?display=movie&id=10604

OnMilwaukee.com (3 out of 4 stars):

“10 Questions For The Dalai Lama” Engages, Entertains & Educates

“Beyond his trips to India, Ray spent two years tracking down rare archival footage of the Dalai Lama's youth, the hostile Chinese takeover and secretly shot footage from inside a troubled Tibet. The result of his research and his very personal experience is an engaging and fascinating tribute to a living legend.”

- JULIE LAWRENCE, Staff Writer, July 21, 2007

- http://www.onmilwaukee.com/movies/articles/dalailama10.html

"... charmed by the Dalai Lama’s personality" ... a "Spiritual Q & A"

- The New York Times

“Get enlightened with ‘Dalai Lama’. Grade: A-. With luscious cinematography and awe-inspiring humanity, 10 Questions for the Dalai Lama is one of the most electrifying documentaries to be released this year.”  - The Boston Herald

"Enlightening... provocative... highly engaging" - The Washington Post

“It is well worth going to see this movie.  The film is beautifully made. Ray does an undeniably fantastic job.  10 Questions for the Dalai Lama offers a lifetime's worth of insight and information in just 85 minutes.”   -  The Daily Texan

“3 out of 4 Stars. Enlightenment rarely sounds so practical and levelheaded.”

- Minneapolis StarTribune

“Destined to become the definitive film on the Dalai Lama.”
–Geoffrey Kleinman, DVDtalk.com