<div><strong>Current donations are going towards film festival submission fees and film promotion.</strong>
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<div>Thanks to your generous support, the film has now been completed:
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<div><a href="https://chenrezig-film.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><a href="https://chenrezig-film.com" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://chenrezig-film.com</a></a>
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<div><strong>This film exists because of you.</strong>
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<div><strong>Your continued support allows it to live beyond completion, to travel, to be seen, and to touch hearts around the world.</strong> Current donations are dedicated to the promotion and distribution of the film, which are essential for its visibility and impact.
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<div>By contributing, you are not just supporting a film, you are helping share an important story, amplifying voices that need to be heard, and bringing this work to audiences who might truly be moved by it.
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<div><strong>Thank you for being part of this journey.</strong>
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<div><strong>“Chenrezig </strong> <strong>Institute: The Origin of Tibetan Buddhism in Australia” documentary film</strong>
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<div>This documentary traces the remarkable journey of Tibetan Buddhism into the Western world. Through intimate personal stories, it reveals the vision, challenges, and devotion behind the founding of Chenrezig Institute for Wisdom Culture, the first centre established by Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa in the West.
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<div><strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/chenrezigfilm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Facebook</a></strong> <strong> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chenrezigfilm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Instagram</a></strong>
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<div><strong>About filmmaker</strong>
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<div>My name is Małgorzata Dobrowolska. I am an independent documentary filmmaker following my spiritual journey. I deeply believe that the key to achieving world peace is to bring about change on a spiritual level. This is my motivation to create films. <a href="https://bhikkhuni-film.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">My last award-winning documentar</a>y “Bhikkhuni – Buddhism, Sri Lanka, Revolution” explores the revival of women’s ordination in Theravāda Buddhism.
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<div>In June 2019, I left my home country of Poland in order to travel and make films. <strong>A few days later, I arrived at Chenrezig Institute, a Buddhist retreat and study center nestled in the hills of the Sunshine Coast hinterland in Queensland, Australia. I came for a few months and... I stayed for exactly 4 years!</strong> I recall my stay at CI very warmly. I learned so much, and I am feeling very grateful for this. It was the adventure of my life.
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<div><strong>My motivation to create "Chenrezig. The Origin of Tibetan Buddhism in Australia" documentary film </strong>
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<div>Two months after arriving at Chenrezig Institute, I strongly felt the importance of creating a documentary film about the center's origin. After sharing my idea with the CI community, I realized its significance to others as well. Encouraged and supported by the community, I have been working on the film since then.
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<div><strong>The main goals of “Chenrezig. The Origin of Tibetan Buddhism in Australia” documentary film</strong>
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<div><strong>1. To preserve history</strong>
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<div>Chenrezig Institute is one of the oldest Tibetan Buddhist centers in the Western world. Documenting its history through a film ensures the preservation of its cultural and spiritual heritage for future generations.
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<div><strong>2. To honour the founding teachers </strong>
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<div>Through interviews with long term students, the documentary explores how <strong>Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche's</strong> vision and leadership were instrumental in the establishment of the institute, showcasing their profound impact on the spiritual development of individuals and the whole community.
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<div><strong>3. To inspire</strong>
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<div>The film shows how a group of young hippies dedicated their lives to spreading the dharma and how Buddhist teachings changed their lives. I deeply believe that these personal stories can inspire others.
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<div><strong>My life at Chenrezig Institute </strong>
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<div><strong>For 4 years I was deeply involved in living and helping at the centre. </strong>My service to the centre began by helping out in the kitchen. <strong>When Covid changed the world in March 2020 I had the privilege and opportunity to use my technical skills and background to establish an in-house multimedia team to livestream teachings and special events</strong>, not just locally and regionally, but beyond Australia. My role in the set up and growth of our online platform brings me great joy, as it is helping take dharma teachings beyond the gompa. It has been an incredible honour to contribute to Chenrezig Institute this way and work closely with sangha.
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<div><strong>During all these 4 years, I also worked on the documentary film "Chenrezig Institute. The Origin of Tibetan Buddhism in Australia."</strong>
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<div>I interviewed many people connected with the Chenrezig Institute, including early-day students who started the center, sangha, volunteers, and visitors. I also recorded the rich daily life at the center, a thriving monastic community with a resident Tibetan Buddhist teacher and a Western sangha.
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<div>I am the producer, director, scriptwriter, cinematographer, and editor of the film.
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<div><strong>Where will the film be available once it is completed?</strong>
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<div>After in-person screenings and screenings at<strong> film festivals around the world</strong>, the film will be available online. The goal is also to make the film available in<strong> public libraries and universities</strong>.
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<div><strong>&gt;&gt;&gt;You can help to make it happen!&lt;&lt;&lt;</strong>
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<div><strong>Now that I have so much footage, I want to focus on editing the film and then promoting it. To do this, I need your help. </strong>
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<div><strong> Your donations will help me cover the film production costs:</strong>
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<li><strong>Film editing</strong> <strong>(approximately 6 months of full-time work)</strong>, including special effects like photos, simple animation, sound editing, and music.
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<li><strong>Creation of promotional materials:</strong> trailer, website with an online shop, visual identification, graphic materials such as posters, leaflets, banners, photos, and a press kit.
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<li><strong>Distribution and promotion:</strong> film festival application fees, advertisement.
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<div><strong>Please support this campaign by donating and sharing with your friends to help bring the documentary to life!</strong>
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<div><strong>Thank you for your help. </strong>
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<div>No raffles, sweepstakes, giveaways, or returns on investment are offered in exchange for any donations made to this GoFundMe. 
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<div>Malgorzata Ola Dobrowolska
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<div>Photo on the graphic: Lama Zopa Rinpoche with kangaroo in Adelaide, Australia, 1983. Photo taken or donated by Wendy Finster. Photo from Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive.
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Chenrezig: The Origin of Tibetan Buddhism in Australia film

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