Travellers and Magicians in Samsara

Great Journeys in Little Spaces

Analysis of Dondup’s Journey

• Dondup’s reaction to cultural restraints is not fueled by lofty ideals (unlike Robert Conway in Lost Horizon).

• His journey is driven by a narcissistic fantasy—a Western Shangri-La represented by the USA.

• Occidentalism vs Orientalism:

  • Occidentalism is depicted as a land of material distractions and spiritual impoverishment compared to Bhutan.

• Film critiques modernity while delivering a subtle Buddhist message about human discomfort with constructed identities.

Characters and Narratives

• Common Characters: Includes an apple seller, a drunk man, and a widowed rice paper maker with his daughter.

• Monks and Storytelling:

  • The monk begins telling a tale about dreamlands to Dondup and an apple seller.

  • Tashi's character introduction:

    • Disenchanted with life and dreams of adventure.

    • Studying magic, referencing Tibetan culture and Milarepa.

• Karma:

  • Tashi's younger, smarter brother.

  • Creates a hallucinogenic drink for Tashi.

Symbolism and Themes

• Tashi’s Journey:

  • Unable to control a beautiful white horse—symbolizes his unsteady mind.

  • Encounters a storm, indicating impending turmoil in his life.

• Weaving Reference:

  • Deki and Tashi’s relationship:

    • Deki pregnant with Tashi’s child but delays weaving to plan against her husband, contrasting with Penelope’s fidelity.

Moral and Reflection in Tashi’s Tale

• Magic Potion: Tashi uses magic to harm Agay (Deki’s husband) resulting in his eventual guilt and turmoil.

• Dream within a Dream:

  • Tashi's hallucination reflects Dondup’s journey, mirroring themes of perceived reality vs. illusion.

• The narrative emphasizes that reality can be deceptive similar to a magician's trickery.

Cultural Reflection and Moral Lessons

• Buddhist Perspective:

  • Comparison of reality to dreams in Buddhist philosophy.

  • Recognition of saṃsāra as deception and nirvāṇa as the cessation of delusion.

• Four Noble Truths:

  • Dukkha (suffering) arises from craving, which is not fated but conditioned.

  • Path to cessation of dukkha through right understanding—highlighting liberation from suffering.

Closing Thoughts

• The interplay of Dondup's journey and Tashi's dream journey explores deeper meanings of desire, reality, and illusion.

• Offers a Buddhist critique on contemporary values and the longing for materialism over spiritual fulfillment.