DC4Reel

The Dalai Lama's Gift

ED WINSLOW BASTIAN
USA, 2024
76 minutes, Color
Official website

In 1981, a historic event in the heart of Wisconsin became a transformative moment in American spirituality: His Holiness the Dalai Lama initiated over a thousand young Americans into the ancient Kalachakra Tantra, the Wheel of Time, at Deer Park Monastery. The incredible footage was tucked away in the Smithsonian vaults for over 40 years, until now. This documentary immerses viewers in the energy of a generation drawn to Tibetan Buddhism's mysteries and wisdom. With intimate interviews capturing the Dalai Lama's humor, compassion, and vision, we witness his efforts to preserve Tibetan culture and his devotion to peace—a dedication that would later earn him the Nobel Prize. Alongside stories from the young Americans who organized and transformed their town's skepticism into enthusiasm, we see the fierce determination to create something lasting.—Various sources