Bhutan Masters
LIVING MASTERS OF THE HIDDEN LANDS
The Last Jewel
in Buddhism’s Himalayan crown
Hidden beneath the towering peaks of the eastern Himalaya, Bhutan is the final outpost of the rapidly disappearing Tantric Buddhist culture that once guarded the Roof of the World. Tibet, Ladakh, Mustang, and Sikkim have all fallen to conquest or cultural and economic colonialism. Blessed with peace, prosperity and an ancient culture still vibrant and alive, Bhutan – never conquered, never colonized – is the last jewel in Buddhism’s Himalayan crown.
Today, we have an unprecedented opportunity to document Bhutan’s spiritual and cultural legacy through its living wisdom carriers.
OUR MISSION
Document a Spiritual Legacy
On its 400th anniversary, Bhutan’s Zhung Dratshang (central monastic body) committed to creating and systematically archiving approximately 40 portraits of Bhutan’s most accomplished lamas, nuns, yogis and hermits, in order to preserve their teachings and life stories for educational and cultural purposes. This project will take us off the mountain roads to trek for weeks on mule and yak trails through some of the most breathtaking and beautiful landscapes on earth. The outcome will be a documentary project unprecedented in the history of Himalayan Vajrayana Buddhism.
OUR GOALS
Project Highlights
PHOTOGRAPHY BOOK
A full-color, hardcover art book featuring a series of portraits of Bhutan's living spiritual masters, including over 30 years of John Wehrheim's original images.
MULTIMEDIA ARCHIVE
A multimedia archive of unabridged images and film recordings of Bhutan's living masters, to be stewarded by the Zhung Dratshang and its Buddhist University.
DOCUMENTARY FILM
Viewers will take a philosophical journey through the conflicts of a transition from a traditional Buddhist kingdom to a rapidly changing free market democracy.
Support the Vision
This project is a collaboration across continents that can only happen with the participation of a committed cross-sector community. We are actively seeking sponsors for the book and film projects to support this unique portrait of Bhutan’s spiritual legacy.