Andrew Hinton, co-director of Tashi and the Monk
On 2nd January, Wake Up Schools and practitioners in the Plum Village tradition participated in a screening of the Emmy-winning film ‘Tashi and the Monk’.
The film follows a wild and troubled 5-year-old girl named Tashi, as she learns what love is and how it can help her to heal. Tashi is a new arrival at Jhamtse Gatsal Children’s Community – a remote community and school in the foothills of the Himalayas. There, 85 abandoned children are learning to live together in love and understanding with the support of a former Buddhist monk Lobsang Phuntsok.
The event was hosted by Rainbow Sangha Ireland and Buddhists Across Traditions. We were joined by the co-Director of the film, Andrew Hinton, and Mark Foley, president of Jhamtse International.
Mark described the screening as a transformative experience and expressed his gratitude for like-minded communities practicing together, quoting our teacher Thich Nhat Hanh:
“It is possible that the next Buddha will not take the form of an individual. The next Buddha may take the form of a community, a community practicing understanding and loving kindness, a community practicing mindful living. This may be the most important thing we can do for the survival of the earth.”
Sister Peace
Dharma Teacher Sister Peace and International Coordinator of Wake Up Schools Orlaith O’Sullivan brought the screening to a close together. Sister Peace offered a moving blessing for the children of Jhamtse Gatsal. “These are our children,” said Sister Peace. “They do not have to be my tissue to be my issue.”
You can watch the documentary below.
