In the Circle of Rebirth + Discussion

An hour-long documentary follows a pilgrimage around Mount Kailash – the most sacred mountain in Asia, revered by Buddhists, Hindus, Jains, and Bönpos. Kailash has a pyramid shape, and from each cardinal direction beneath it flows a major Asian river; it is considered the axis of the universe and the center of the world. Located in western Tibet, the circuit around it is the physically and spiritually most demanding religious pilgrimage in the world. The pilgrimage route symbolizes the stages of life, death, the state between death and rebirth, and new life.

Through pilgrims, the film reveals the daily life of Tibetans – villagers and nomads alike – and especially their spiritual perception of the world. Spiritual values in Tibetan life clearly outweigh material ones. The Tibetan concept of death shows how Tibetans prepare for death throughout their lives, overcome their fear of it, and see it as a threshold to new life in an endless cycle of existence. Similarly characteristic is their attitude toward happiness: a Tibetan knows that they can only be happy if everyone around them is happy.

Following the screening, there will be a discussion.