What We Hoped for Yesterday, We Dread Today

Illusion and Reality in Buddhism

• Concept of Saṃsāra: Recognized as a form of deception, akin to a magician’s creation.

• Nirvāṇa: Defined as the exhaustion of delusion; parallels drawn with the transient nature of experiences.

• Dream Analogy: The idea that all conditioned experiences are like dreams is prevalent in Buddhist texts.

  • Diamond Sūtra: Buddha instructs to view experiences as “dreams, illusions, bubbles, shadows, dew drops, and lightning flash.”

The Nature of Dukkha

• Taṇhā (Craving): Central to experiencing dukkha (discontent, suffering).

  • Tashi’s story reflects this moral lesson.

• Four Noble Truths:

  1. First Noble Truth: The universality of dukkha is due to attachment to the conditioned and transient.

  2. Second Noble Truth: Dukkha is not divinely ordained; it is conditioned.

  3. Third Noble Truth: Possible cessation of dukkha through right understanding.

  4. Fourth Noble Truth: Liberation from suffering can be achieved by following the Eightfold Path.

Journey and Self-Discovery

• Dual Journey: The physical journey of Dondup across Bhutan parallels an inward journey of self-discovery.

• Character of Sonam: Encounters with her lead to a significant change in Dondup’s perspective, prompting self-reflection on his values.

  • Contrast with Dondup: Sonam sacrifices her education for her father; Dondup initially abandons his aged parents.

• The Monk’s Role: Functions as Dondup’s guide to introspection, embodying Buddhist teachings on impermanence (anicca).

Desire and its Consequences

• Desire as a Central Theme: Both positive and negative consequences of desire depicted through various characters' interactions.

  • Old Agay’s Desire: Leads to his demise due to obsession with youth.

  • Tashi’s Lust: Results in murder, illustrating destructive aspects of unchecked desire.

  • Dondup’s Transformation: His romantic encounter with Sonam fosters empathy, leading to a departure from selfishness.

Road Movie Dynamics and Cultural Commentary

• Theme of Motion: Representations of motion in road movies correlate with Buddhist notions of spiritual journey.

  • Metaphors of Journey: Awakening likened to a journey from ignorance to wisdom.

  • Buddhist Path: The spiritual path (marga) and various vehicles (yāna) signify the journey towards enlightenment.

• Transmigration and Saṃsāra: Concept of drowa captures the essence of wandering in cyclic existence (saṃsāra).

• Wheel of Life (bhavacakra): Represents the cyclic process driven by ignorance, craving, and anger.

Conclusion

• Delusion in Saṃsāra: Believing in the illusory nature of life leads to a continuous cycle of emotional responses and karma.

• End of the Path: Liberation from desires is essential to cease the cycle of saṃsāra; otherwise, one remains trapped in the pursuit of unfulfilled desires.