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10 Questions for the Dalai Lama
Movie poster
Directed by	Rick Ray
Distributed by	Monterey Media
Running time	85 min.
Language	English

10 Questions For The Dalai Lama is a 2006 documentary film in which filmmaker Rick Ray meets with Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama at his monastery in Dharamsala, India. The film maker asks him ten questions during the course of the interview which is inter-cut with a biography of Tenzin Gyatso, a history of modern Tibet and a chronicle of Ray's journey securing the interview.

Synopsis

The film begins as a chronicle of Rick Ray's journey through India to interview Tenzin Gyatso. The film switches between present and recent past, with stages of the trip introducing sections on the personal history of Tenzin Gyatso, the process used to select a Dalai Lama, the conflict between Tibet and the People's Republic of China and Gyatso's journey into exile.

The interview with Tenzin Gyatso begins midway through the film. This section is inter-cut between sections addressing philosophical questions and current affairs.

The film also features the daily life of Tenzin Gyatso, his international peace efforts and his work with Tibetan refugees.

The film features interviews with a Buddhist monk who fled violence in Tibet and Tenzin Tethong, who has served in the Tibetan Government in Exile for 20 years.

Towards the end, the film touches on the controversial issues of internet censorship in China, the cultural impact of the current relations between Tibet and China and the disappearance of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, the 11th Panchen Lama.

The interview

Ray asks a range of questions, touching on philosophical, social and political issues.

Some of the questions asked:

• "Why do the poor seem happier than the rich?"

• "How can one reconcile an attitude of non-violence when faced with a direct threat to one's safety and security?"

• "Should countries be dedicated to preserving their traditions or embrace modern culture?"

• "Will there be another Dalai Lama?"

The questions are not numbered in the film and Ray admits to asking more than ten questions during the interview.

Archival footage

Three years were spent tracking down rare, archival footage of the young Tenzin Gyatso and the Chinese action in Tibet that lead to his exile. In the end, the licensing of some of the footage for the film cost more than all the other expenses combined.

Reviews

• New York Times
• San Francisco Chronicle
• The Washington Post
• Toronto Globe and Mail
• The Boston Globe

External links

• Official website
• 10 Questions for the Dalai Lama

• 10 Questions for the Dalai Lama at the Internet Movie Database