Original subtitles

KANG RINPOCHE Paths of the Soul

Let's go to the sheepfold.

You're here?

- Where are you going? - I go to greet the Lama.

- You're leaving? - Yes.

You come chop wood?

Yes. You too?

Yes.

Where are you going today?

Beyond this mountain.

You graze the cows?

Yes. Going to chop wood?

Yes.

You're here.

Yes.

Tea is ready?

Yes. You want some?

Yes.

Your family is praying today.

Why aren't you home?

We do invocations, I should have stayed.

But I had to graze the yaks.

I can pray here.

This will do. It's just as good.

Your brother, he died young.

How unfortunate.

Yes.

Everyday he would talk to me

about going on pilgrimage to Lhasa.

He died before going.

Don't be sad.

I'm afraid to end up like him.

I want to do the pilgrimage before I die.

You're different.

You've been to so many places.

But me, I just follow the yaks around.

I've never been anywhere.

It's good to go on a pilgrimage.

Uncle wants to go to Lhasa.

He's been saying it for years.

I have decided,

to take him there after New Year.

Okay.

Can you keep the house?

Yes.

The power went off.

Thubten, light up the candles.

My father-in-law is taking grandpa to Lhasa.

It's nice.

Yangpei talks about it everyday.

He really wants to go.

If he does, it'll be wonderful.

It's the Holy Mount Kang's zodiac year,

it's the year of the horse.

Ceba too is a horse?

Yes.

Tsring's baby will also be a horse.

Let's go with Nyima to the holy mount.

Okay.

And let's visit Lama Thubten.

Ceba, you want to go?

Yes.

Me too.

What about school?

Power is back.

We come to grind the barley.

Go ahead.

You go to Lhasa?

Yes, I do.

Can Tsring and Ceba go with you?

Yes, of course.

Once in Lhasa,

it will be the Mount Kang's year.

We could go there too.

You are right. Let's go together.

Good.

Can you kowtow while being pregnant?

I can.

You want to go?

I do.

But my family has to agree.

I hope they will.

Take this.

Thanks for your help.

Drink less.

Yes.

- Come again for tea. - Yes.

Take care. Bye.

Bye.

You're drunk again.

- Just a little. - Again.

You spend all your money on alcohol.

You don't think about your family.

I've killed many yaks, Rigzin.

I'm scared.

Wine comforts me.

I visited Nyima's today.

They go to the holy mount.

I want to go too.

Yes.

To atone for my sins.

I kill yaks.

I should repent for those sins.

Yes.

You go on pilgrimage to Lhasa?

Yes, we do.

Last year,

two people died while buidling our house.

For them,

I want Rigzin and Muqu to do the pilgrimage.

It will be great for them if they do.

We can go together.

Great. It's set then.

Tomorrow it's New Year.

Let's get up early. There's a lot to do.

We need to burrn incenses, draw the golden and silver water.

I talked to him. You will go with them.

Rigzin and Muqu.

Can we leave the elderly alone?

Ask the daughters to help.

Take Gyatso with you.

Take her along, or we'll have to take care of her.

Gyatso, you want to go to Lhasa?

With all the kowtow, you'll have a bump on your head.

- You are all there. - Yes, we are.

- Making stuffed buns? - Yes.

- Good morning. - Hi. How was New Year?

Fine.

It's a good day.

Yes.

How are you?

I'm fine.

You go on a pilgrimage. Can you take my two sons along?

Yes. Nyima is going too.

I'll tell them. It will be ok.

Great.

Wangyal, can you kowtow with your weak arms?

I can.

Have some food.

Have some tea.

How much for the shoes?

40 yuan.

And for a dozen?

For a dozen, 35 yuan a pair.

- It's wholesale price. - Okay.

The shoes are good.

Any cheaper?

For you it's 850.

Can I play with this?

It's to pray.

Not to play.

Let me make it flatter.

I wanted to make clothes with this,

but better wrap up the baby with it.

It will keep the baby warm.

Yes.

Don't worry. I'll be careful.

Take care.

No problem.

Stay safe.

Gyatso, come help.

Your knees hurt from the bowing?

A little. They aren't very strong.

- You'll be fine tomorrow? - Yes..

The weather was good.

A beautiful sunshine.

It hurts here.

Me too.

Be careful on the road.

Watch out for the trucks.

There are many trucks.

Yes.

Let's eat.

- Everybody in bed. - Turn off the lights.

- Ready? - Yes.

Road 318 - 3436 km

Come on.

Look at my hand planks.

I should change for new ones.

My shoes are worn out.

I can't keep them.

Wangyal, get me new shoes.

Have some tsampa.

Have some.

Let's finish these today.

Yes.

This Donda mountain is high.

The weather isn't good.

Let's finish and sleep early.

Yes.

We should get up early to climb it.

Right.

Yours are finished?

Finished.

Put it here.

- Ready for bed. - Yes.

Let's get up early.

- Can I take some wood? - Sure.

Get some by the house.

Thanks.

Watch your step.

Look at your quilt.

Mine is yak's skin. Yours is rabbit's?

Mine is a quality one.

It looks like a white sheet.

Wool blankets are white.

Look. He has rabbit teeth.

Look at him.

What's wrong?

My stomach hurts.

I'm in labor.

Really?

Tsewang, stay with me.

Open your legs.

Push.

Push.

Close your mouth and push.

Yes.

Push harder or the baby will choke.

Open your legs.

Yes, faster.

Clench your teeth. He's coming.

Faster. Push!

- You're here. - Yes.

- The baby arrived quickly. - All is fine.

- Really? - Yes, all is good.

- You're here. - Yes.

How are you?

Much better.

Grandson.

He's about to cry.

- He opened his eyes yet? - Yes.

He did.

Grandson.

My grandson.

He wants to move.

My darling.

Grandson.

Let grandpa hold you.

Come to grandpa.

He opens his eyes.

What's his name? You gave him one?

Yes.

Dingzi Denga.

It means happiness and longetivity.

Grandson.

- You're feeling bad? - I'm fine.

- Was it cold on the road? - No.

Sorry.

Not at all.

Don't cry.

- You are back. - Yes.

Born on the pilgrimage.

This boy is so lucky.

- He'll have a great life. - Yes.

Wangdui, sleep in the white tent.

They'll sleep here with the baby.

It's warmer here.

- Let's pray. - Yes.

Road 318 - 3570 km

Come for a tea.

Take a break. Have some tea.

They invite us for a tea break.

Have some tea.

Where are you from?

We're form Mangkang.

Come drink tea.

Please come.

Take a seat.

So you're from Mangkang.

- You build a house? - Yes. We do the walls.

You're going to the Holy Mount Kang?

- Yes. - Fantastic.

It's great to go to the holy mount.

Yes.

We would go, if not for this house.

- We could go together. - Next time then.

When did you start the house?

A month ago.

- How long to finish it? - Two months.

It's well built.

Bye.

Mom, my head hurts.

It hurts.

Really.

We'll go to a pharmacy in Bangda.

Okay.

- To get medicines. - Yes.

Gyatso, if your head hurts, stop bowing.

She's fine.

Bowing is good. You can go on.

It brings wisdom.

It's good to bow.

- Can you carry on? - I can bow.

Gyatso, get a small rock.

- Let's pray. - Yes.

Road 318 - 3773 km

Young man.

Don't waer red when you kowtow.

Okay.

No red when you kowtow. Okay?

Yes.

Little girl.

You walk too much between kowtows.

- Ok? - Yes.

My friend,

when you kowtow, touch the ground with your forehead.

- Ok? - Yes.

Young man,

touch the ground with your forehead.

Touch the ground.

The screw fell off.

The screw?

Can we buy one?

It's very hard to find.

- It's you guys? - Yes.

What's up?

It's leaking oil. A screw fell out of the tank.

Buy one in Ranwu.

They don'y have those here.

No screws here?

You won't solve this today.

Yes.

Where will you stay tonight?

We'll set up the tents.

No need. Come to my house.

It's big.

- We have our tents. - My house is big.

My children are on a pilgrimage too.

Kowtowing like you.

I'm alone.

Come to my place.

It's big. Alright?

- Come. - Ok.

Push the tractor.

Girls, you walk.

Good, let's go.

Push the tractor to the roadside.

Come.

You've walked so long for this.

It's admirable.

But I saw a man wearing red band.

And the little girl walks too much.

Don't wear hair bands or hats when kowtowing.

Your steps should depend on the incantation.

Take 7 or 8 steps for those incantations.

If you made a wish, follow the Lama's instruction.

The steps should accord to your wish.

The key to kowtow, is a pious heart.

A pilgrimage is to pray for others.

To wish safety and happiness to all.

And wish the same for you too.

That's how you kowtow.

Yes.

You're fixing the plough?

Yes.

- Will you plough? - Yes.

We can help you.

Great.

It snowed a lot last night.

@The snow is good.

The moist soil helps the barley grow faster.

Yes.

They are now probably doing the same back home.

We dress up to plough.

We bring wine, meat and yak butter.

We are more ceremonious than here.

Yes.

When I was the village head,

the plough took longer.

It was more lively. We'd bring food, burn incenses.

The young today,

why are they in such a hurry?

The yaks are overworked.

We are used to it now.

True.

It's all machines now. The young are in charge.

Yes.

Thanks. Have some barley wine.

You are welcome.

Thank you. Really.

Thanks. Have a drink.

I don't drink.

- He doesn't drink. - Why?

- He quit. - Good.

- He is a butcher. - He stopped drinking.

He kowtows to Lhasa to redeem his sins.

Have some meat then.

What you do is good.

You quit drinking for the pilgrimage.

It's a good thing.

- It is. - Right.

You're great. It's good.

Indeed.

We'll leave tomorrow. Tsring needs an apron to kowtow.

Can we buy one here?

I have an apron. No need to buy it.

Will this do?

Yes, grandpa.

It's perfect.

This will do?

It's perfect.

Then it's a gift to the young lady.

Thanks.

Goodbye.

Goodbye.

Come here, little girl.

Goodbye.

Goodbye.

Tsring.

The baby is crying.

- He's hungry? - Yes.

I'm so unlucky.

Why did the rocks fell on my leg?

When I think about it,

God is unfair.

When we built the house last year,

one truck killed two men and injured two others.

We had to pay a compensation to the families.

I took care of that alone.

When my grandad was alive,

he never did anything bad.

My father never did anything bad.

I never did anything bad either.

Why is this happening?

The three of us,

we do the pilgrimage for the two dead.

To wish happiness and health to other people.

Like you, many people went through similar hardships.

But you have a great attitude.

Your leg is injured. So let's rest for a few days.

Once you recover, you'll keep on wholeheartedly.

When we kowtow, we keep others' wellbeing in mind.

- Let's pray. - Yes.

It's hot. Let's change clothes tomorrow.

Okay.

Hello, come for a tea and a break.

You kowtow very well.

Yes.

How many you do per day?

About 10 km a day.

- Really? - Yes.

Come sit. Have some tea.

Yes.

Where are you from?

I am from Ya'an, in Sichuan Province.

It's the Hongyuan County, in Aba Prefecture.

Good.

How long have you been kowtowing?

Seven months, and 17 lub 18 days.

Really? Good.

Why doesn't the donkey pull the cart?

He pulls only when the road is too steep.

When she can't do it.

She treats the donkey dearly.

When it's easy, she pulls it by herself.

We regard him as family member.

We share everything together.

When we get to Lhasa, we'll take him around.

We'll go to the Potala Palace and the Jokhang Temple.

We'll cut some of his fur,

to place in front of Buddha's statue.

We'll pray for him.

If he keeps pulling, he'll be exhausted.

You are nice.

You want tsampa for him? We have some.

Yes. Thanks.

I won't need a lot. This is enough.

- Take it. - Thanks.

Put the tsampa here.

Leave it on top.

Goodbye, then.

- Take care. - Have a safe journey.

- How much? - 200 yuan.

- How much? - 50 yuan.

Fine.

- Those shoes? - 25 yuan.

- And if I buy 30 pairs? - 20 yuan then.

Okay.

- How much then? - If 20 yuan, that's 600 for 30 pairs.

- Really? - Yes.

With all this water, what shall we do?

What shall we do with the water?

It will be fine.

We kowtow through it?

Let’s do it.

Once upon a time, a Lama practiced on big mountain.

A poor hunter lived nearby.

The man hunted to support his family.

After each hunt, he'd give two deer to the Lama.

If he didn't find deer on one side of the mountain,

he would fly over a cliff to hunt on the other side.

If a sinner hunter can fly over mountains,

the Lama through his spiritual practice would easily fly there too.

Yet he fell into the water.

Because what matters is your heart.

If kowtow gets you a bump on your forehead,

it proves your piety and goodness.

Wangdui has a bump on his forehead.

You're not the only one. Look at mine.

I have one too.

You're okay?

There is a bug.

You're okay?

Are you all right?

How do you feel?

Your arm is fine?

Yes, it's fine.

- Can you drive? - I'm sorry.

The truck came towards me, I dodged it but ended up hitting you.

I have two passengers. One can't breathe.

We need to get to Lhasa fast. Her life is in danger.

Look.

I'm so sorry.

Have a look.

I'm so sorry.

Be more careful.

- You go first. - Thank you.

- That woman is in danger. - Thank you.

Turn it over to take a look.

The axle is broken.

We're far from Lhasa, and so far from home.

Even if we find a repair shop, they won't have the right parts.

What do we do now?

We are 100 km from Lhasa.

Let's ditch the front and pull the carriage.

Can we pull it?

Let's try.

The women can keep bowing behind us.

Okay.

- Ready? - Yes.

That's the Mila mountain pass.

Tomorrow we'll go there to climb over the mountain.

Then we'll approach Lhasa.

Right.

Mom, what are you doing?

We're on a break. We'll be in Lhasa after this mountain.

I miss home.

Me too.

I'm fine.

I pass the phone to my sister.

I want to talk to grandma.

Talk to her.

What are you doing?

Grandma,

what are you doing?

I'm resting.

Don't cry.

You miss me? I miss you so much.

Sister,

what are you doing?

Yes, I miss you.

You miss me?

Where is my brother?

Do you all miss me? I miss you all.

Yes.

Brother,

what are you doing?

I have a rest.

I miss you. Do you miss me?

Okay.

Come over to help. We're losing strenght.

Okay.

I walk up the hill step by step.

Snow falls bit by bit onto the ground.

The place where snow and I are to meet.

Then I think of my mother.

I walk up the hill step by step.

Snow falls bit by bit onto the ground.

The place where snow and I are to meet.

Then I think of my mother.

We have the some mother.

But our fates are different.

The lucky one became a Lama.

My unlucky fate took me to lands afar.

The lucky one became a Lama.

My unlucky fate took me to lands afar.

Road 318 - 4504 km

- Look, the Potala Palace. - We'll be there tonight.

- Let's rest. - Yes.

Stop.

It's Kelsang, my second son.

That's my aunt and her daughter.

Hello.

Chodron, your uncle is here.

Hello, Master.

- You've come from far. - Please sit down.

Sorry to be late.

Have a seat.

You just arrived?

Yes.

I gave lectures all day, so I couldn't greet you on your arrival.

No worries.

Grandpa, good luck and happiness.

Good luck and happiness.

Good luck and happiness.

Good luck and happiness.

- What's his name? - Dingzi Dengda.

Good luck and happiness, Dingzi Dengda.

Come with me.

We have no money left to go to the holy mount.

Let's find jobs.

Yes.

My friends.

Yes?

You are Lama Thubten's relatives?

Yes.

The Lama advised me to do 100 000 kowtows.

But I can't do them due to my bad health.

Could you bow on my behalf?

Yes.

I won't skimp on rewards.

And you can stay living here for free.

Okay, thanks a lot.

Enough, Gyatso.

She's so naughty. She ran around with others.

You are here.

I'm tired.

Pour this here first.

He's your brother?

Sort of.

Where are you from?

Mangkang.

Why are you in Lhasa?

On pilgrimage.

You look so young.

- How old are you? - 18.

So young.

How long was your pilgrimage?

1200 km.

Walk, Dingzi.

Walk slowly.

Gyatso,

leave him to your sister, and go hang the clothes.

You got your payment?

- Yes, we got it. - Good.

The women are done with the bows.

We're ready for the holy mount.

Thanks for your help those last months.

You're welcome.

We go on with our pilgrimage. You want to come?

I can't. I have the store.

Fine. I'll come back to see you.

It's cold there now. Put more clothes on.

Yes.

Young man, you sleep here?

Don't do that. It's too cold here.

Come and stay in our tent.

Wake up, Yangpei.

Time to get up, Yangpei.

Yangpei?

Yangpei is gone.

Jigme?

Go get the Lama. Fast.

Yes.

My mother died in her thirties.

To raise her three kids, uncle never got married.

He loved doing invocation.

He never fought with anyone in the village.

I took him to Lhasa,

then to Holy Mount Kang,

to repay his kindness.

To die at the foot of the holy mount is his fortune.

I think he is blessed.

Now his karma is linked to the holy mountain.

- Let's go. - Yes.

- Let's pray. - Yes.

Subtitles ripped by Peterlin