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Tulku

Gesar Mukpo was three when he became one of the first people born in the West to be recognized as a tulku the present-day reincarnation of a Buddhist master. For his entire life, he's been trying to figure out what that really means. Starting in the mid-1970s, Tibetan teachers including Gesar's father, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche; began recognizing Western children as tulkus. Suddenly, a system that had ensured stable spiritual power and authority in Tibetan society for 800 years was transplanted into a completely different culture. In this intensely personal documentary, Gesar sets out to meet other tulkus to find out …
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Gesar Mukpo was three when he became one of the first people born in the West to be recognized as a tulku the present-day reincarnation of a Buddhist master. For his entire life, he's been trying to figure out what that really means.

Starting in the mid-1970s, Tibetan teachers including Gesar's father, Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche; began recognizing Western children as tulkus. Suddenly, a system that had ensured stable spiritual power and authority in Tibetan society for 800 years was transplanted into a completely different culture.

In this intensely personal documentary, Gesar sets out to meet other tulkus to find out how they reconcile modern and ancient, East and West. Journeying through Canada, the United States, India and Nepal, he encounters four other tulkus who struggle with the meaning of this profound dilemma.

What does it mean to carry on this ancient tradition designed for an old world when you're living in a completely new one? How will Gesar and other Western tulkus fulfill their destiny?

Tulku was produced as part of the Reel Diversity Competition for emerging filmmakers of colour. Reel Diversity is a National Film Board of Canada initiative in partnership with CBC Newsworld.

Religion, Beliefs and Ethics All subjects
  • writer
    Gesar Mukpo
  • director
    Gesar Mukpo
  • participation
    Gesar Mukpo
    Dylan Henderson
    Ashoka Mukpo
    Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche
    Wyatt Arnold
    Ogyen Trinley, His Holiness Dorje
    Reuben Adrian Derksen
  • producer
    Kent Martin
  • editor
    Rohan Fernando
    Ethan Neville
  • cinematography
    Pablo Bryant
    Ethan Neville
  • sound recordist
    James Hoagland
    Pablo Bryant
  • underwater camera
    Robert Guertin
  • additional photography
    Gesar Mukpo
  • production assistant
    Breton Hoagland
  • translation
    Jessie Litven
  • production supervisor
    Patsy Coughran
  • sound editor
    Alex Salter
  • archival research
    Gesar Mukpo
  • online editor
    Steve Cook
  • narration recording
    Jamie Alexander Alcorn
  • re-recording
    Allan Scarth
  • production coordinator
    Stephanie Coolen
    Vanessa Larsen
  • marketing manager
    Candice Desormeaux
  • centre administrator
    John William Lutz
  • executive producer
    Kent Martin

Education

Ages 13 to 18

Notes

Warnings: brief language

The tulkus in the film share unique perspectives as Westerners. Discuss how being a tulku has impacted their lives. Does being a tulku restrict their lives? Does it give them confidence? The filmmaker, Gesar Mukpo, went to Nepal for a year at age 15. Imagine yourself in his position and discuss or write about the struggles that could make him want to come home. Explain your views about tulkus being recognized in the Western world. Discuss the statement, “There is no certain path for any of us, other than the path of self-discovery.”

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Tulku
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