Dharamshala: Inspired by a request made by His Holiness the Dalai lama, in 2004 Geshe Lobsang Yonten started a project supported by Stongde Monastery in Zanskar in the kargil region of Kashmir. The project was started with the education of the children of the district as the highest priority.
Although there are schools in zanskar, they neither teach or Tibetan and Geshe fears that, without these subjects, the local culture of Zanskar, so similar to that of Tibet, will die out within the next 30 years. So in 2004, Geshe Lobsang Yonten, bought 17 children from Zanskar to Manali an Dharamshala for their schooling. This journey over the mountain passes and the subsequent return and rerouting over closed roads was documented in the film; ‘Journey From Zanskar'. The film is narrated by actor and famous Tibet activist, Richard Gere. The film in its length captures the striking, and sparse landscape of this remote region, as well as the struggles of such an arduous journey.
Currently 15, of the children Dhakpo Shedrubling Monastery, one is at Dolmaling Nunnery in Dharamshala, and the other is at Drepung Gomang Monastery in Southern India, where Geshe himself studied. Many young students have been involved in spreading awareness in and around Dharamshala.
A Limited number of copies are available for free for groups and individuals who would like to host their own screening/fundraiser. 200 copies were also given away earlier this month, when His Holiness spoke in Bloomington, Indiana at the Tibet Mongolian Centre.
