Help Fund 'Freedom from Suffering' Documentary
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"I teach one thing and one thing only: suffering and the end of suffering."
– Gautama Buddha
I have had a love for Buddhist wisdom since I was 16, when I discovered Thich Nhat Hanh's book The Heart of the Buddha's Teachings. This book opened my mind to understanding myself and cultivating inner peace and freedom.
Suffering is a universal part of the human experience. We all experience suffering in various ways—from mild dissatisfaction and discontent to deep feelings of hopelessness and despair. Often, we try to escape or cover up our suffering by distracting ourselves, consuming substances, or chasing pleasures. Yet, none of these provide the true happiness and peace that we seek.
The Buddha invited us to acknowledge our suffering and taught that by understanding the causes of suffering, we can remove these causes and experience true freedom and peace.
A few years ago, I had the idea to create a documentary exploring the life and teachings of the Buddha and how the teachings have spread across different countries, giving rise to various Buddhist traditions. My goal is to discover the essential teachings that unite and transcend these various traditions and show how this wisdom can be applied to daily life for anyone seeking peace and freedom from suffering.
Recently, I committed to bringing this idea to life. I have connected with temples and monasteries in Japan, Thailand, India, and Nepal, and several have agreed to participate in interviews for the film. I plan to visit sacred Buddhist sites, attend meditation retreats, interview Buddhist monks and teachers, and document the entire journey.
The film will be shared for free on YouTube, along with other videos I create during this journey, to make this ancient wisdom accessible to everyone.
While I’ve begun funding this project myself, I’ve now reached a point where I need help to bring this vision to life. By supporting this campaign, you’ll help me create a meaningful documentary that shares timeless teachings with the modern world.
Every donation is sincerely appreciated, and I will feature your name in the credits of the film (unless you prefer to remain anonymous).
The funds will be used for:
- Flights: Travel to key locations such as India, Nepal, Thailand, and Japan to visit Buddhist monasteries and significant sites related to the Buddha's life and teachings.
- Lodging: Accommodation in monasteries, rural areas, and cities while filming and conducting interviews.
- Food: Daily sustenance while traveling and filming in various countries.
- Local Travel/Transportation: Ground transportation such as buses, trains, and taxis to reach remote locations and monasteries, as well as intercity travel.
- Documentary Equipment: Microphones, camera accessories, SD cards, lighting, and other necessary gear to capture high-quality footage.
- Editing: Post-production work including color grading, sound mixing, and adding visual effects.
- Animation: Visual storytelling elements such as animations or infographics to explain key concepts or illustrate abstract ideas related to the teachings.
- Music & Soundtrack: Licensing meditative or traditional music to accompany the documentary's theme and visuals.
- Interview Donations: Honorariums or donations to monasteries or teachers being interviewed for their time and wisdom.
- Travel Insurance: Coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellations, or unforeseen events during international travel.
- Miscellaneous: Additional costs that may arise during travel and production, such as extra gear, emergency expenses, or additional resources needed on location.
Currently, I have my flight to Japan and lodging covered, but the rest of the journey is still unfolding. Any support I can receive for this project is truly appreciated. I fully intend to create this film however I am able, but the more support I receive, the better the documentary will be.
This will be my third documentary. If you’d like to see some of my previous work, you can visit the links below:
"All Is Self" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2HEV4CcdFM
"Journey to the Heart of the World" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeRndqNsfys
Thank you for taking the time to read about this project. Any donation, big or small, helps bring this vision to life. I truly appreciate your support in sharing this wisdom with the world!
Sincerely,
Joseph
Organizer
Joseph Kauffman
Organizer
Mesa, AZ