The Elders
There are many local Mani associations that are mainly composed of the elders in Tibetan rural areas. It’s a very important daily routine for them to recite Mani scripture (om mani ped me hom). The Tibetan people believe in the life cycle and that evil deeds will cause suffering. They have to do good things and recite the Mani all the time to relieve their sins and prepare for better next life.
The Mani association in La-Tzu is quite large and very well known. Besides reciting Mani, the elders improve the village in many ways such as raising food and money, taking care of children and constructing the ritual hall. Their outstanding contribution is to rebuild the temple that was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution in China.
Directors
Ji Dan
1963 Born in Heilongjiang Province, China
1987 Graduated from Beijing Teachers University
1993 Filmed minority peoples and Japanese women in northeast China (Hi8 camera).
1994-97 Made two films in Latse county of Tibet. (THE ELDERS, GONGBO’S HAPPY LIFE)
2000-01 Filmed SPIRIT HOME, Shanxi.
2002 Filming hospice project in Beijing.
2006 Editing SPIRIT HOME.
2007 Editing hospice project DREAM OF THE EMPTY CITY.
2008 Filmed SPIRAL STAIRCASE OF HARBIN in Harbin.
2011 Filmed WHEN THE BOUGH BREAKS.
Shaqing
In 1965, Shaqing was born in Peiching. He made the ethnographic documentaries Cha Pa and Pala in Tibet during 1996, and The Sparkles on the Grass in 1997. He also lived in Jih-ke-tse and worked with Jidan on filming Kung Pu’s Happy Life and The Elders.