No Monastery No Village

Tashi Lhazom
  • Genre: Documentary
  • Country: Germany
  • Runtime: 27 min
  • Director: Tashi Lhazom
  • Language(s): Tibetan
  • Subtitles: English

Synopsis

High in the Himalayas lies Halzi, a village nestled in the shadow of a glacial lake. Home to the ancient Halzi Rinchenling Monastery, a cornerstone of the Limi community’s cultural heritage for centuries, Halzi faces a growing threat: Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).

The documentary explores the plight of the villagers caught between their deep devotion to their heritage and the very real danger of impending floods. Sonam Dhondup, a monk at the monastery, wrestles with the fear of losing the sacred building to the next GLOF. Pema Dolma, a yak herder who lost her herd in a previous avalanche, remains resolute in her devotion to the monastery, despite the hardships.

Through the contrasting viewpoints of Sonam and Pema, the film sheds light on the complex realities faced by the Limi community. Will they abandon their ancestral home to preserve their lives, or will they stay and risk everything to protect their cultural heritage? No Monastery No Village is a poignant exploration of faith, resilience, and the fight to preserve a way of life in the face of climate change.