The Dalai Lama has instructed two monks from Zanskar’s Stongde Monastery to do everything in their power to insure that it does. The monks are building a school to educate the children from surrounding villages in their own language, culture, history, and religion. Presently, the government school teaches none of those subjects, and is closed most of the year. The nearby private school also doesn’t teach those subjects and is additionally unaffordable for the area’s poor families. At Stongde, along with indigenous traditions, the children will be educated in the best Western curricula.

The monks are racing against the clock. While they complete the school they are also placing local children in other schools and monasteries in the city of Manali and beyond. This requires walking over a 17,500 foot pass. One such journey with 17 children aged 4-12 comprises the plot line of our film. The information above provides the dramatic opening and closing context.

17 Paths to Enlightenment tells the heroic, remarkable tale of these monks and children: The monks carefully select the brightest, most capable children in meetings with the poorest of the poor families. The kids then must separate from fathers and mothers, grandparents and friends. At the last minute, one grandmother refuses to let her beloved granddaughter leave. The monks lead the children on foot and horseback on an arduous and dangerous five day trek. At less than 300 vertical feet from the pass the trek runs into crisis - the yaks and horses can’t navigate the deep snow. Rather than risk anyone dying, the monks insist on turning back. Forlorn and dejected, one man snowblind, the whole party returns wearily all the way back to the starting point in Padum. The monks learn how an adult man died trying to cross the pass the day after their own attempt.

Undaunted, the monks resort to a fallback plan. Renting buses and vans, the group travels on closed roads over even higher passes, first to Leh, then to Manali. Success! They make it. They bask in the lush greenery and warm, humid air. Tsultim, 12, stares in wonder at his first ever vision of monkeys. To further their education and accent their accomplishment, all the children are later brought to Dharamsala to meet HH the Dalai Lama.

This powerful story has the potential to be a programming blockbuster. At the very least, it will be a “prestige piece,” generating tremendous positive press (especially op-eds), uniformly good reviews, festival awards, policy-maker attention, and word-of-mouth recognition for years to come. Most importantly, it will reach audiences worldwide and direct attention and support to the monks’ just cause. Though it will broadcast nationally, perhaps on PBS, Discovery, or HBO, the program’s greatest impact long-term will be through educational distribution and outreach as children worldwide learn what some Zanskari children must endure simply to preserve the legacy of their people.

The monks need your help. 17 Paths to Enlightenment must be completed ASAP to insure that worldwide assistance is directed to their cause before it’s too late. The film’s website will include a way to donate to the monastery so concerned viewers can directly support the children, the school and related efforts.

17 Paths to Enlightenment is produced and directed by Academy and Emmy nominated filmmaker Frederick Marx. The film is classified as a tax deductible 501.c.3 charity project, though for-profit investors are also welcome. For further information please contact Frederick Marx.