RIFLE RANGE BOY: What is more important: satisfying one thousand desires or conquering just one?

Samsara (in Tibetian and Ladhaki languages; 2002)

Directed, Written by: Pan Nalin

I remember an episode when my house cat was engaged in a staring contest with a stray cat. My cat was inside the comfort of my home behind a glass door, staring intently at the other through the clear glass. In my mind, I imagined what thoughts could have crossed their nimble feline brains. The stray would probably be envious of my cat. It would imagine a cosy life, free of the cruelty of the elements, time to pampers oneself licking its fir in place and feeding time on the clock. It would have wished to swap places.

My cat would probably be jealous of the stray. The stray would be the master of its own destiny. Everywhere it decides to lay its butt, it is its home - freedom. My cat may not realise that it may be minced meat one day in the world of catfights. The stray would not live one day in the sterile environment of a home feeding on pellets called cat food. It may want to hunt its prey and tear into its prey's sinew.

I guess it is no different for us humans. We have so many compelling desires and want to experience them all in this lifetime. We want to have the cake and eat it too. One can live an ordinary life like an average homo sapien or leave a mark in the annals of history. An average being can be caught in the trappings of commitments and relationships. As a token, he is rewarded with pleasures that a great person may need to forgo in his pursuit to leave a mark. What is the meaning of one's pursuit of happiness?

This must be a rare movie in Tibetan and Ladhaki languages. It starts with the scene of Tashi completing three years of meditation in a cave. Tashi had grown up in a Tibetan Buddhist monastery since five. Upon return from the penance, his mates realise that Tashi still has worldly urges. His nocturnal erections and nocturnal wet dream emissions did not go unnoticed. A farmer's daughter, Pema, caught his fancy during a visit. Tashi leaves the missionary life to become a farmer instead. He marries Pema to immerse himself in the trials and tribulations of a civilian and householder.

There are issues with middlemen selling the produce, fire threats to his farm and produce and the lure of a particular vixen, a migrant worker, who was sending him piercing glances. Being a mere mortal, despite the love of a doting wife, Pema, and his son, who thinks of him as a hero, he succumbs to temptations. Reeling from guilt after his infidelity, Tashi returns to his monastery ways.

In the climax, at the tail end, Pema intercepts Tashi on his journey to exchange the most compelling message behind the movie. When one decides to entangle in family life, all his actions have consequential effects on the rest of the family. It is not all about the want of an individual. His action may have detrimental effects on the other members of the family. When Gautama Siddharta decided to leave in the cloak of darkness to seek the Truth, he left his Yashodhara to fend for his young prince Rahul. Yashodhara too, must have been in pursuit of finding the real meaning of her existence. She could have just left everything and gone her way. No, she realised that her Truth was to guide Rahul to adulthood. Thus, the absolute Truth in life must be doing the best in whatever job, responsibilities and positions you are bestowed upon. That must be your Dharma. One does not have to wander aimlessly into crannies to explore the Truth. Enlightenment can also be found via worldly experiences, tragedy, comedy, and bliss. Celebrate, no need to be celibate.

P.S. What is essential - satisfying a thousand desires or conquering just one...?