Award-Winning Film 'Tashi and the Monk' Centerpiece of Fundraising Event at LSRS

Photo: Tashi and Monk. Credit: submitted

Jhamtse International, a nonprofit group based in Acton, present the award winning film “Tashi and The Monk” on Nov. 15 .

The event takes place at Lincoln-Sudbury High School as a benefit for the Jhamtse Gatsal Children’s Community. Filmmaker Andrew Hinton is on hand to answer questions, as well. The trailer for the film can be viewed at

“Tashi and the Monk” highlights the work and mission of Jhamtse Gatsal, a unique children’s community in India. The founder and director is a Buddhist monk, Venerable Lobsang Phuntsok. Situated in the foothills of the Himalayas,Jhamtse Gatsal’s mission has been described as a “brave social experiment” that involves rescuing orphaned and neglected children and providing them with educational opportunities that would be otherwise unavailable.

Lobsang Phuntsok was trained under the guidance of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, but 8 years ago he left behind a life as a spiritual teacher in the United States to create this unique community. The film documents the personal journey of 5 year-old Tashi, the school’s newest arrival. With her mother recently passed away and abandoned by her alcoholic father, troubled Tashi is struggling to find her place amongst 84 new siblings. Lobsang has channeled his own unhappy childhood into an opportunity for other ‘uninvited guests of the universe’ to avoid a similar fate.

Jhamtse Gatsal is a home and school for more than 85 children ranging in age from toddler to adolescent. The children, all of whom have a background of poverty and adversity, come from nearby villages. At Jhamtse Gatsal, children are provided with a secure and loving home, including nurturing houseparents, good food, clothing, medical care, and an excellent academic and practical education.

This special event will be held from 6-9 p.m. at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School, 390 Lincoln Road, Sudbury. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for shopping at an Indian and Tibetan bazaar. The film will be shown at 6:30pm followed by a buffet dinner of Indian and Tibetan foods at 7:30pm. All are welcome to attend.

Tickets may be purchased in advance or at the door.

Jhamtse International is a nonprofit organization run by volunteers and sustained by individuals who participate in its programs. Its two primary initiatives are to support Jhamtse Gatsal in an ethnically Tibetan part of the Indian Himalayas, and Jhamtse Buddhist Center in the US. The Jhamtse Buddhist Center mission is to bring about positive change through Buddhist teachings at weekly meetings, and sponsoring lectures, retreats, and workshops.

Article submitted by Beezy Bentzen, director of development, Jhamtse International,