About the Project
OUR STORY
Preserving a Cultural Legacy
This not-for-profit, independent initiative is the first institutional effort to document the lives and stories of Bhutan’s spiritual masters for a broader global audience. As one of the world’s last outposts of the Vajrayana, or Tantric, tradition of Buddhism, Bhutan’s culture, tradition, history and landscape are all shaped by a uniquely spiritual approach to social and political development. The country’s living masters – its great lamas, monks, nuns, yogis and hermits – represent an unbroken connection to this extraordinary legacy.
PHOTOGRAPHY BOOK
John Wehrheim first visited Bhutan in 1991 as a hydropower consultant and began to document his travels through the Himalayan country with his signature black-and-white photography. Over the following decades, he continued to visit Bhutan and add to his photo collection, and was eventually invited to share it through an exhibit at the East-West Center. This successful exhibit led to the publication of “BHUTAN: Hidden Land of Happiness” (Serindia 2008), which is currently in its third printing. The Bhutan Masters photography book project includes John’s first collection of color images from Bhutan and will focus exclusively on the country’s living spiritual masters.
DOCUMENTARY FILM
John Wehrheim’s 2007 documentary film, “BHUTAN: Taking the Middle Path to Happiness,” won two regional Emmy awards for Best History/Culture and Best Music. The current Bhutan Masters project will produce a film for general audiences worldwide. In it, a charismatic young dharma seeker will narrate the documentary through his personal “wisdom quest.” Throughout the film, he searches for the Buddhist Middle Path through the conflicts and contradictions of transition from a traditional Buddhist kingdom to a rapidly changing free market democracy. The film will pose broader questions, such as: Can an ancient and enduring tradition remain effective and meaningful in a postmodern culture? And can today’s society adapt and develop this wisdom to avoid self-destruction?
MULTIMEDIA ARCHIVE
A comprehensive digital archive of the biographies of Bhutan’s spiritual masters, including raw transcripts and materials from all interviews, will be stewarded by the Zhung Dratshang and its Buddhist University. Additionally, we hope to record monastic arts and culture (painting, chants, music, mantra and dance) by accomplished monastic and lay practitioners. Throughout this process, monks will receive the training and equipment to continue these archiving efforts after the completion of our project. These efforts will increase awareness and support for the Zhung Dratshang and Bhutan’s sovereignty in a geopolitical context of increasing instability.
PROJECT TIMELINE
Fieldwork
Document portraits of Bhutan's living masters through photography and filmed interviews.
Production
Develop photography book and documentary film. Train monks to archive materials.
Distribution
Bring the story of Bhutan's living spiritual masters to the world. Complete scanning and processing of multimedia archives.
You Can Make This Vision a Reality
We are actively seeking donors and corporate sponsors for our book, film and multimedia archive projects. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation today.