This film documents the children's community Jhamtse Ghatsal (The Garden of Love and Compassion), located in the remote foothills of the Indian Himalayas. Former Buddhist monk Lobsang Phuntsok attempts to heal his own childhood trauma of abandonment by adopting and raising children who are unwanted by their families, just as he was. This film expands on the previous award-winning film, Tashi and the Monk, which followed a four-year-old girl struggling to integrate into the community. Twelve years later, Tashi, now 16, faces the challenge of becoming a big sister to two four-year-olds who join the community, both called Karma, each with their own complicated history. Will Lobsang's focus on love and compassion allow these girls to rise above this challenge?
This feature length documentary is a big undertaking! It explores this community in depth and has many lessons for us to learn from. People who are dealing with various trials and tribulations can easily relate to this film, but I believe that its true value is how many parents will resonate with this story which shows how modeling positive behavior shapes a child's life.
This documentary seamlessly interweaves the experiences of Jhamtse Ghatsal newcomers from 2013 and 2024. The well-executed cinematography excels with marvelous visuals, conveying a distinct emotion or idea to the audience --the wide landscape shots of the Himalayas reinforces the isolation and grandeur of living there; the sweeping dark and stormy skies and thick forests carry suspense and mystery. The closeups of the children reveal their thoughts and experiences; their facial expressions don't hold anything back.
I deeply appreciate how Jhamtse Ghatsal is depicted in tumultuous times and not just in times of ease. After having to turn away children due to a lack of resources, or contending with a mob from a nearby village angered that one of their own was turned away, we see the community remaining intact and wholesome in the face of these struggles, which is commendable and awe-inspiring. My favorite part of the film is when a young member of Jhamtse Ghatsal is preparing to leave to go to college and states that the kindness Jhamtse Ghatsal stands for follows one wherever they go; it is not limited to being in the physical location of the community; it stays in your heart. This epiphany works to inspire not just this young person, but also the audience, and reminds us to keep advocating for kindness wherever the world takes us.
The film's message is that love and compassion can overcome hatred and trauma. Note that there are references to suicide, alcoholism, and child abuse.
I give Loving Karma 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. By Christian C., KIDS FIRST!
This film documents the children's community Jhamtse Ghatsal (The Garden of Love and Compassion), located in the remote foothills of the Indian Himalayas. Former Buddhist monk Lobsang Phuntsok attempts to heal his own childhood trauma of abandonment by adopting and raising children who are unwanted by their families, just as he was. This film expands on the previous award-winning film, Tashi and the Monk, which followed a four-year-old girl struggling to integrate into the community. Twelve years later, Tashi, now 16, faces the challenge of becoming a big sister to two four-year-olds who join the community, both called Karma, each with their own complicated history. Will Lobsang's focus on love and compassion allow these girls to rise above this challenge?
This feature length documentary is a big undertaking! It explores this community in depth and has many lessons for us to learn from. People who are dealing with various trials and tribulations can easily relate to this film, but I believe that its true value is how many parents will resonate with this story which shows how modeling positive behavior shapes a child's life.
This documentary seamlessly interweaves the experiences of Jhamtse Ghatsal newcomers from 2013 and 2024. The well-executed cinematography excels with marvelous visuals, conveying a distinct emotion or idea to the audience --the wide landscape shots of the Himalayas reinforces the isolation and grandeur of living there; the sweeping dark and stormy skies and thick forests carry suspense and mystery. The closeups of the children reveal their thoughts and experiences; their facial expressions don't hold anything back.
I deeply appreciate how Jhamtse Ghatsal is depicted in tumultuous times and not just in times of ease. After having to turn away children due to a lack of resources, or contending with a mob from a nearby village angered that one of their own was turned away, we see the community remaining intact and wholesome in the face of these struggles, which is commendable and awe-inspiring. My favorite part of the film is when a young member of Jhamtse Ghatsal is preparing to leave to go to college and states that the kindness Jhamtse Ghatsal stands for follows one wherever they go; it is not limited to being in the physical location of the community; it stays in your heart. This epiphany works to inspire not just this young person, but also the audience, and reminds us to keep advocating for kindness wherever the world takes us.
The film's message is that love and compassion can overcome hatred and trauma. Note that there are references to suicide, alcoholism, and child abuse.
I give Loving Karma 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. By Christian C., KIDS FIRST!
This film follows the film, "Tashi and the Monk," which followed the community's newest arrival, a wild and troubled 4-year-old girl named Tashi, struggling to learn what love is and how it could help her heal. "Loving Karma" returns to the community 12 years later with Tashi now 16-years-old and facing the challenge of becoming a big sister to two new four-year-olds, both called Karma, who arrive with their own complicated histories. Can she find space in her heart for their pain, and will Lobsang's patient approach show that compassion really can overcome trauma?
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