Kundun

Become an expert, prepare a visual/handout, and get ready to speak for 2-5 minutes on your topic. For tomorrow.

  1. Research the previous Dalai Lama, the 13th. Who was he? What interesting aspects of his life, his rule, and his prophesies related to the future of Tibet can you find? When and how did he die? Did he, indeed, have messages for his successor? MAKAYA
  2. Research the funeral customs of a traditional Tibetan Buddhist burial. What are common practices and what religious significance do they hold? STUART
  3. Research the Chinese invasion of Tibet from 1949-1951. What happened? Casualties? Why didn’t the rest of the world respond? How/when did the “conflicts” end? CAELEY
  4. Research Mao’s use of propaganda – especially in terms of the occupation of Tibet. How did he broadcast/proclaim the “liberation” of Tibet? Find visual examples too if you can. Also examine how China influences Tibetan culture today—with particular focus on Lhasa. How has this once “holy city” been impacted by imperialist China?
  5. Research the Dalai Lama’s escape from Chinese-occupied Tibet. When? How? Somehow communicate to us the wonder of this event.
  6. Tell us about what the Dalai Lama has done since leaving Tibet. Where does he reside? What does he do? As part of this, explain when he won the Nobel Peace Prize and the organization’s justification for his award. What atrocities still occur within Tibet today and how has he sought to shed light on these events? JOY
  7. Buddhism revolves around the concept of Nirvana and attaining enlightenment. Please explain what Nirvana is and how it is attained by Buddhists. SCOUT
  8. What are Mandala Sand Paintings? Share what they are, how they are created, and what symbolic significances they hold. Share images to help us better understand your research. MAISEY
  9. The 4 Noble Truths and the 8-Fold Path are the cornerstones of Buddhism's idea of attaining enlightenment. Please explain what they are and what role they have in Buddhist spirituality. KATIE
  10. Reting Rinpoche is one of the more controversial figures in the film. Tell us about his role in finding the Dalai Lama (why him), his controversial reign as Tibet’s Regent, and his death. How/Why was he killed? If you can, find out how the 13th Dalai Lama helped “find” Reting Rinpoche. JACK
  11. Research the Dalai Lama's Lord Chamberlain, Phala. Who was he? What role did he truly play in the the escape from Tibet? Find anything/everything you can about him, and please share it with us.
  12. Research Tibetan music, chanting, and dance. What is its relationship with Buddhism, with Tibetan spirituality? What role does it play in Tibetan culture? JUDAH