Please follow this link to watch: http://youtu.be/-_whMlRVQmI
When Shangpa Rinpoche invited me to come to Singapore for this event I was thrilled - this was a chance to see an amazing city, one unlike any other, to be present for a world class Dharma event with His Holiness, and to be asked to represent KKBC Singapore as their official photographer was such an honor, and a privilege to say the least. The event was to be one for the history books, as Karmapa was coming to give his blessings and inaugurate the site of the new KKBC Center, to perform a ground breaking ceremony, as well as a program full of events, a public forum talk, and the first ever Kagyu Monlam ever performed in Singapore. Shangpa Rinpoche also had the idea for me to come early, and to start to make a short film about the event, to document the occasion, the importance for the dharma and the people of Singapore and KKBC, as well as the ocean of volunteers and help required to put something of this magnitude on - and to have something to give the volunteers and supporters as a small token of appreciation after the event as a gift. This was such a wonderful idea, and a few days before the event I landed in Singapore. As I met the people of KKBC, all who had arrived for the event, and began to film the preparations it quickly became clear that this film, this project would become something else entirely - and as the days passed it grew and blossomed, a story unfolding, taking place before my eyes completely breaking the mold and preconceptions of what I had planned and prepared for. So, after speaking with Rinpoche we decided that in order to truly show what was happening here, to illustrate the power and importance of the event, we would need to make a full length film - and so it was born - In a city unlike any other, full of light and technology, modern meets tradition, where culture, spirituality, and ancestry mix in the most marvelous of ways, where life continues to grow and flourish in dazzling abundance - the 17th Gyalwa Karmapa has arrived.
To the people of Singapore - you have truly shown me the meaning of devotion, as the way His Holiness was greeted everywhere we went was unlike anything I have ever seen before. Such amazing respect and care, radiant smiles and overjoyed faces lined the aisles and rows, the amount of love and admiration that was shown for Karmapa here was overwhelming, yet always with a sense of dignity and reverence, with a controlled and calm demeanor, never asking for anything, simply being present and able to see Karmapa was so important to them. And everywhere we went, Karmapa was in true form, greeting one and all with patience and poise, gracefully moving through the crowds of people - spending the time to greet each and every one of them, making them understand that he was indeed there just for them. And the action never stopped, to crowds in the thousands, endless queues of attendees and devotees coming to pay respects and receive blessings, young and old, from all over the world and across the street, seemingly non stop, and yet like the eye of the storm, all was calm and serene at his side, greeting each eager smiling face with a smile of his own, never too tired or pressed to offer his most welcoming and courteous of greetings. From the Marina to the EXPO, the Ground Breaking to the Max Atria, each event was completely booked and full, and a secondary story began to emerge for me as I witnessed all of this passing by - to the people of Singapore and for the turning of the Dharma, this event was of such great importance and meaning to them, everyone was truly inspired and beaming in all directions, on cloud nine, for they were simply overjoyed to see their teacher. I was extremely fortunate that Karmapa agreed to film a short interview, and despite the fact that we were pressed for time, and had to shoot in less than desirable circumstances, on a hotel pool rooftop full of families and screaming children and waiters passing by constantly, His Holiness’ amazing sense of humor, wit, and compassion were amplified as he casually joked and laughed along with it all, as there was nothing we could do about it, instead playing with the scenario and making the best of it, showing remarkable candor considering the circumstances. His warmth and genuine presence were remarkable, for he showed his true human nature with me on this rooftop, a rare view into a side of Karmapa I have long wished to be able to show and share, always comfortable and in control, with his hilarious and heart warming personality. Just a few months after the passing of his teacher he is a ray of light showing us all that despite what may happen we are still capable of laughter and genuine joy - that we all have the courage to continue, to pick ourselves up again and continue down the path.
Featuring this never before seen interview and special secret footage, from the entire week of events including the days beforehand and afterwards, where hundreds of volunteers as well as monks, Lamas and Rinpoches from across the globe came together to make the event possible - and brand new music composed for the occasion, I hope to bring you inside the story, from the epicenter to the farthest edges of the crowd, a roller coaster spectacle of grand proportions, full of color and life. While the full film will be released in a few months, (early 2015) I wish to humbly offer this trailer so that you all can share in the experience that we were all so lucky to be a part of, to give you a taste of what is to come, a glimpse inside. I have put everything I have into this project, my whole heart and soul, and my only wish is that it can be of benefit, to help spread the activity and teachings of Karmapa worldwide, that it can shed light on the incredible driving force and devotion of the volunteers and people of Singapore for hosting, and, with enormous success, putting on such a world class event for all to enjoy. Please help to share this message by sending it to all your friends, reposting and sharing, help it circle the globe, so that everyone can see it, and all can benefit from His Holiness’ activities and teachings. As an added bonus I have added a few screenshots from the interview with Karmapa- simple moments where His Holiness' amazing sense of humor, warmth and shining personality are shown so clearly, where he lets his beaming smile show - simply by being himself - gentle, kind, humble and compassionate as well as hilarious, and a pure joy to be around.
I wish to extend a special thank you to Shangpa Rinpoche, for without him none of this would have been possible, for he truly led us all from concept to finale and beyond. To the people of KKBC and Singapore, your never ending dedication and enthusiasm were contagious - the red and white shirts scattered amongst the crowd and backstage were a constant reminder that everything was in control, and being handled with care, precision, patience and love. And to my special friends in KIBI, for lending me their superb talents in singing and whistling, the music would never be the same without you!
From KKBC Singapore and Dharma.Imagery.Project, I present to you, “A City Full of Light”
