The arrival of the first Tibetan monks in Europe was surrounded with controversy, deeply straining Anglo-Tibetan relations.
One group of monks, arriving in 1924, performed Buddhist rituals before showings of the silent film Epic of Everest, sparking the “Dancing Lamas” affair. /🧵
🗃️ 📜
One group of monks, arriving in 1924, performed Buddhist rituals before showings of the silent film Epic of Everest, sparking the “Dancing Lamas” affair. /🧵
🗃️ 📜
Comments
The first half of the film looks at Tibetan life in and around Rongbuk Monastery at the foot of Everest, including several brief scenes showing monastic ritual. /2
Newspapers report the monks chanted while playing long trumpets and beating drums and cymbals; some claimed they performed “devil dances.” /3
Consequently, a British Everest expedition the next year was refused by the Dalai Lama; the next British attempt at Everest came in 1932. /4
Noel’s silent film, Epic of Everest, is viewable here: https://tinyurl.com/3df4axfn
#Buddhasinthewest