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BLESSINGS: The Tsoknyi Nangchen Nuns of Tibet DVDnarrated by Richard Gere, compiled by Victress Hitchcock, Jampa Kalden, Cynthia KneenIn the summer of 2005, renowned Tibetan Buddhist teacher Tsoknyi Rinpoche III led a group of Western women students to Nangchen, a remote nomadic region of Eastern Tibet. They journeyed to meet the Tsoknyi Nangchen nuns—3000 women who practice the ancient yogic traditions initiated in the 1800s by the first Tsoknyi Rinpoche, who envisioned a time when these women would become some of the most accomplished spiritual practitioners in the world. Despite all 40 nunneries being destroyed during the Cultural Revolution of the 1960s, a handful of survivors kept their practices alive, and emerged to rebuild their sanctuaries by hand... stone by stone. Now the wisdom tradition of the nuns is once again vital and growing. Blessings is the compelling story of these remarkable female practitioners. A beautifully-illustrated booklet that includes historical background and a teaching on Bodhicitta by Tsoknyi Rinpoche III accompanies the Blessings DVD. A perfect gift. Narrated by Richard Gere, this feature-length video explores the unique world of the nuns who study under Tsoknyi Rinpoche's guidance. The first Tsoknyi Rinpoche, whose revolutionary vision of women receiving the same teachings as men, initiated the lineage of Tsoknyi Nangchen nuns more than a century ago. Compelling interviews with Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo and Tsultrim Allione place the practice of the Nangchen nuns in the context of the largely male-dominated history of Buddhism in Tibet. The film explores the lives of the growing numbers of nuns who have come together and are now living and practicing together in nunneries, large and small, across Nangchen. The women speak about why they became nuns and what it is like to live a life dedicated to spiritual practice. We see the exchange between them and the western women who have come to offer their help and who find their lives immeasurably enriched by the wisdom, simplicity and good humor of the Nangchen nuns. "I have never viewed such an alive, present, and forthright portrayal of Asian religion."—Steve Fisher, producer/National Public Television environmental and historical films for over 35 years "An inspiring film, Blessings is a magical journey."—Daniel Goleman, author of Emotional Intelligence "A luminous, inspiring, and very human account that will blow open your view of what is important in life."—Sharon Salzberg, author of Loving Kindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness "I love this film! It ignites my heart to think of the Nangchen nuns practicing openness and compassion right now, at the roof of the world, cheerful in immense ruggedness, as we go about our activity ‘down here.’ It makes me weep!"—Cynthia Kneen, author of Shambhala WarriorTraining and Awake Mind, Open Heart The DVD is accompanied by an illustrated booklet which includes historical background on the nuns as well as a teaching on Bodhicitta by Tsoknyi Rinpoche. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Blessings goes to Nangchen Nuns Endowment Fund. | |
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