When I watched Samsara
Posted: Friday, December 10, 2010
by Drunken Mystic
http://drunkenmystic.wordpress.com
“How can one prevent a drop of water from ever drying up?" Tashi’s eyes catch this engraving on a stone on his way to the monastery.
12,000 feet above sea level, there is a beautiful Tibetan culture spread between the magnificent desert mountains of Ladakh (Jammu & Kashmir). Pan Nalin could have chosen no place better to make his movie which depicts the core essence of the Tibetan lifestyle - a system based on the teachings of Gauthama Siddartha – The Buddha! The Tibetans are rich in their tradition and little they have done to compromise with it after the Chinese invasion. True and down to earth as they are, they hold on to their moral values and dedicatedly implement the essential Buddhist principles in their daily lives. When one walks through the streets of Ladakh, they can notice almost every Tibetan silently chanting their mantra, “Om Mani Padme Hum" holding on to their beads.
Shall I talk about the movie or Ladakh? Both are awesome, but I should get back to the story. Tashi is meditating in a cave for 3 years, 3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days. The monks are busy to wake him up by slowly introducing him to the sound of the Tibetan bowl, as it’s time to get back to Samsara (World). Tashi slowly starts to develop speech and gets back to his regular routine of monastic discipline only to realize he hasn’t gained control over his sexual energy. As a spiritual aspirant, one is expected to gain mastery over the sexual energy and a great amount of control over the ejaculation and erection.
By controlling the sexual energy and directing upwards to the brain, all the nerve centers get activated and the immense heat of this semen opens up the third eye leading to enlightenment.
Tashi realizes he has failed and is very disturbed about it. His close friend and roommate Sonam, spends late nights studying the Tibetan scrolls and has tears when he sees Tashi still struggling to overcome his desires for sex. The senior monk Apo asks Tashi’s friend, “Does he still have dreams?" to which he replies “Yes". Soon Apo tells Tashi to take some fresh air and all of them visit a nearby village where they are offered a respectful feast. This is the first time Tashi notices an attractive woman, Pema and gets easily lured by her beauty.
Apo is observing all of this in the meantime and contemplates the path Tashi should take. But to his dismay Tashi finally argues with Apo and leaves the monastery only to follow his newfound desire – Pema. But his desire doesn’t end with Pema. Soon they get married and Tashi leads the life of a farmer and loses touches with his spiritual practice for years until finally one fine day, Sonam arrives with a letter from Apo. Apo asks him one thought provoking question “Is it important to satisfy one thousand desires or conquer just one?"
The story has been well crafted and there are many sensitive issues raised in the movie right from women’s rights to making the right choices in life. Direction has been very meticulous at small but significant moments when Pan shows how we can avoid using leather and plastics. Overall, the story, screenplay and direction have been really wonderful. Samsara moves absolutely at the pace of Tibetan life in Ladakh and is unique in its concept, idea and manifestation.
The movie is strictly for adults.
This Article has been viewed 1,511 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Interesting story DMThank you David!
From your description only I have this incredible vision of this amazing and awe-inspiring land. Maybe one day I, too, will lay eyes on it. Until then your words and this movie will have to suffice. Thanks for sharing this with us.Definitely, Ladakh is one place worth visiting at least once in a lifetime. And the movie keeps you thinking and makes you want to watch over and over again. :-)
I haven't seen the movie, but I would like to. For now though the choice for me to make is an easy one. Pema! Pema! Pema! I can not imagine any God, or belief system that could encourage abstinence over procreation. If man does not replicate he is destined to extinction. How can this be justified? For the satisfaction of knowing that you have resisted the temptation of that which all men, and indeed all life is programmed genetically to execute. Makes no sense to me. If women were put here merely to tempt man's most basic instinct, all I can say is that it was a job well done. Thanks for the article D. M.Thank you David. I would like to clarify my views on the abstinence part. Abstinence should never be forced. It should be followed only when you are mentally ready. The path to enlightenment is like a double-edged sword. You could fall on either sides if you don't maintain your balance.
Not all of us are destined to be monks or householders. That is what Samsara (life or world) is all about. If everybody becomes a terrorist tomorrow, then what would life on earth be like? Not everybody can be a politician, an artist, a businessman.
The path of renunciation is for those people who feel an inner calling to drop away all temptations of worldly life and it seems right for those who want it. Procreation is necessary, and nature's laws takes care of it. There is a population explosion happening all over anyway, so abstinence from a few won't hit the roof and blow it apart. :D Renunciation has it's own beauty just like procreation has. Thank you.
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.