DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT

VAJRA (Vahj-rah as in Taj) is a Sanskrit word  - the thunderbolt of illumination that cuts through delusion. As a filmmaker who has been practicing Vajrayana Buddhism for over 30 years, I was thrilled to travel to Tibet to shoot VAJRA SKY OVER TIBET, completing this film trilogy.

After arriving in Lhasa with my associate producer Nadine Helstroffer, I was surprised, at first, by how people seemed free to practice their faith and how some of what had been destroyed under Mao and the Cultural Revolution was now rebuilt. Only after talking to many Tibetans did I realize that this was actually an elaborate stage management by the Chinese authorities to lessen international criticism of their Tibet policies and to satisfy tourists.

It was also revealed to be a cynical strategy of atheist Chinese politicians, co-opting this 1500 year-old spiritual tradition into their full control. I then saw the Tibetan faithful responding to this repression with a defiant ardor, and overt displays of devotion.

continued

Tibetans want the world to know that their exquisite traditions are still alive but deeply endangered. If we in the West are being called upon to help save Tibet, I wished to show why it is worth saving. Listening to the inspired elegance of its spiritual concepts, seeing its luminous art, hearing its magical harmonies, and witnessing the profound depth of its faithful might induce us to act before it were to fully disappear.

Receiving the endorsement of His Holiness The Dalai Lama, his first ever for a film, was an enormous motivation in bringing this work to the world. His generous message was a pure inspiration.

John Bush, Producer & Director of The Yatra Trilogy/Journey Into Buddhism

TRAILER, SYNOPSIS & PHOTOS DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT ABOUT THE MUSIC NOTE ON TIBET DALAI LAMA'S SPECIAL MESSAGE