Interesting Rare Footage of Old Tibet
Nicknamed the “Roof of the World” for its towering peaks, Tibet is famous for its stunning landscape made up of the Himalayan mountains and its heritage of Tibetan Buddhism. Before the 1950s, Tibet was largely isolated from the rest of the world. As there is no central repository of Tibetan films, those that shed light into the rich culture of Tibet from the old days are very precious.
These archive videos from the 1930s-1950s allow us a glimpse into Tibet as it once was. The mystical world of Old Tibet revolved around religious life with elaborate festivals and rituals, which took up around 68 days of the year. In the videos presented here, you will see officials, aristocrats, monks, lay people and even special footage of His Holiness the Dalai Lama during his monastic exams.
We hope you enjoy these wonderful videos.
There is a large country on the Roof of the World, where strange things happen. There are monks who have the ability to separate mind from body, shamans and oracles who make government decisions, and a God-King who lives in a skyscraper-like palace in the Forbidden City of Lhasa.”
– Heinrich Harrer, Seven Years in Tibet
1. History of Tibet (Tibet: The Lost Mystery & Tibet:
The Bamboo Curtain Falls)
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/HistoryOfTibet.mp4
Part 1, “Tibet: The Lost Mystery” examines the historical events starting from Younghusband’s expedition to Tibet in 1904 till 1959. Part 2, “Tibet: The Bamboo Curtain Falls” examines the events from the flight of His Holiness the Dalai Lama and the exodus of Tibetan refugees into India and other neighbouring countries.
This film updates the events to 1982 and also features the highlights of the three fact-finding delegations to Tibet sent by His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
In Tibet, His Holiness the Dalai Lama used to travel in a yellow palanquin, escorted by his servants and officials
2. The Lost World of Tibet
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/TheLostWorldOfTibet.mp4
“The Lost World of Tibet” is a BBC documentary film produced in conjunction with the British Film Institute. The 90-minute film was broadcast on BBC Two in November 2006.
Dan Cruickshank presents a documentary revealing the story of the Dalai Lama, his secret Himalayan kingdom and the story of his exile, using eyewitness accounts from Tibetans including the Dalai Lama himself and colour archive footage of Tibet from the 1930s to 1950s.
The aristocrats of Lhasa in their attire
3. The 14th Dalai Lama’s Geshe Examinations
in Lhasa, Tibet (1958)
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/The14thDalaiLamasGesheExaminations.mp4
A rare short documentary film featuring the 14th Dalai Lama during his final Geshe (Doctor of Divinity) Examinations in Lhasa, Tibet that took place from the summer of 1958 to February 1959. Next to the Dalai Lama’s throne during his examination, on the left is His Holiness the Gaden Tripa Kyabje Ling Rinpoche. On the Dalai Lama’s right is His Holiness Kyabje Trijang Rinpoche. Both of these masters were the two tutors of the Dalai Lama, passing their knowledge to him for over 40 years. You can see them clearly in this video witnessing their charge’s examinations.
His Holiness during his final Geshe Lharampa examinations in Lhasa
4. Their Holiness’ the Dalai Lama and
Panchen Lama’s visit to India
Or view the video on the server at:
https://video.tsemtulku.com/videos/HHDLVisitIndia.mp4
In 1956, His Holiness made his visit abroad to India at the invitation of the Mahabodhi Society of India to attend the 2500th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of Lord Buddha.
Along with a massive entourage of devotees from Tibet, the Dalai Lama also performed his first major “public religious act” on Indian soil by going on a pilgrimage to some of the holiest Buddhist sites, where he offered teachings, including one in Bodhgaya on December 27.
Traditionally, the Dalai Lamas and Panchen Lamas have been very close. Tibetans consider them to be spiritual equals, although the Dalai Lama is the political leader. Here, you can see the 14th Dalai Lama and 10th Panchen Lama travelling to various places in India and being received by the various Indian leaders with the pomp and ceremony deserving of foreign leaders and dignitaries.
His Holiness the Dalai Lama on an elephant ride with Jawaharlal Nehru, the Prime Minister of India
For more interesting information:
- Powerful Pujas
- Buddhas, Dharma & Practice
- 700 Meet A Buddha (七百人幸睹佛现)
- The 14th Dalai Lama’s prayer to Dorje Shugden
- The Truth About Who Saved the 14th Dalai Lama
- Pabongka Rinpoche and his yogini student, the Lady Lhalu
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Tibet is also known as the Roof of the world, has a rich history as a nation, existing side-by-side with China for centuries. Interesting videos of a rare and precious history of Tibet . We are fortunate given the opportunity to watch this rare video, allowing us a glimpse into Tibet as it once was. The dresses of the local, uniform of solders wore by them looks so much different from now. A very rare treasure well preserved showing the historical events and the exodus of Tibetan refugees into India , Nepal and other countries. Watching the rare video of HH Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama is a blessing.
Thank you Rinpoche for this beautiful sharing.
Love these very interesting and rare footage videos of Tibetan spiritual culture and tradition. Old video footage likes these are really very rare and hard to find. Really appreciate for this wonderful informative and educational sharing .Thank you very much Rinpoche and blog team for this interesting videos and article.????