You might have seen the Journey from Zanskar trailer on youtube, if not maybe take a look. The film is based on the tenuous assumption that Zanskar is the last bastion of untainted Tibetan Buddhism, or rather, and let me quote this to get it right, Zanskar is "the last remaining original Tibetan Society with a continuous untainted lineage". Buddhism in Zanskar has apparently been preserved from 'destructive global economics' by the geographical barrier of the Himalaya, but the film predicts this will change once the chaddar road is completed, whenever that is. So basically, once production costs have been covered, the film is a fundraiser. It argues that in order to preserve Buddhist culture there is an urgent need to fund a Buddhist school in sTongde before the road to Chilling (and then on to Leh) is finished.

The slightly curious thing is the film fails to acknowledge that for some time Buddhism in Zanskar has been subject to, and has actively engaged in, so called 'destructive' global economic models and forces (one could ask if Buddhism in Zanskar has ever been totally removed?). For example, there is a shopping complex in Padum built and run by Phugtal monastery, there is also a hotel and selection of shop units built and owned by Karsha monastery (the hotel was originally leased out as a bar by Karsha monastery), and there are monks who own taxi businesses and dabble in all sorts of financial dealings. What's more the majority of Zanskar's Buddhist festivals traditionally celebrated in the winter have now been moved to the summer in order to coincide with peak tourist numbers. Looking further afield, tens of thousands of US Dollars already comes into Zanskar from Europe and the US to 'support' Buddhism in the region, to say nothing of the Crores of Rupees (1 Crore is 10,000,000) recently earmarked for monastery 'restoration' by the Zanskar Development Authority.

If indeed Buddhism is, as the Journey from Zanskar's Executive Summary suggests, destroyed by 'global economics', one wonders how the funding generated by this film will differ?

Don't get me wrong, I am all for improving Zanskar's schooling (even Buddhist) and raising the standard of living for Zanskaris, however, I think Journey to Zanskar creates rather than documents what is actually happening on the ground in Zanskar. Factually the film is contrived; it omits some fairly essential context, errs toward the romantic and tugs at wealthy Western hearts. If people want to help Zanskaris there are plenty of more pressing issues which desperately need funding. Improving medical facilities and awareness would be a good place to start, as would encouraging teachers to stay and teach in remote villages. Winter tuition would also be welcomed by many. In my opinion there are many more pressing issues than building yet another foreign funded school in central Zanskar.