A Little Wisdom

A Little Wisdom is a poignant documentary that gives viewers insight into a less-seen aspect of life. As cinematically beautiful as it is deeply touching, this 2017 film bring to screen the life within a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Nepal. Directed by Yuqi Kang, the documentary is centered around a group of novice monks who offer the audience a rare glimpse into what ordinary days are like for them. Most prominent among them are three young monks - Richen Sherpa, Chorten Sherpa and Sherpa Wangchuk.

The documentary begins by introducing the audience to its main character, a young boy named Richen Sherpa. Richen, like many of his fellow novices at the monastery, was introduced to monastic life by his family due to their limited resources. Within the first scenes, viewers will recognize that A Little Wisdom isn't merely an expose on spiritual traditions, but rather an exploration of growing up within such a distinctive and sheltered environment. As we traverse the narrative, we also understand that these are kids - kids who play and fight, dream and fear.

Chorten Sherpa and Sherpa Wangchuk, the two other monks prominently featured in the film, present other layers to the monastic life's social dynamics. The older boys often assume a guiding role, helping the younger monks acclimate and navigate the monastery's grounds and rules. Raw and emotionally charged interactions between the boys alternate with serene, peaceful scenes of prayer and devotion, offering a balanced portrayal of their daily life.

Despite the strict routine, sparse living conditions, and disciplined education, the documentary manages to underscore the rough and tumble joy of childhood that will resonate with audiences worldwide. The boys are seen playing makeshift games, using found objects as toys, scraping knees and getting into trouble - universal childhood experiences that cross cultural and geographical boundaries.

The director, Yuqi Kang, utilizes a cinema verité style to deliver an intimate portrait of the lives of these young monks. This provides the audience with a fly-on-the-wall perspective, where they can observe, understand, and empathize, without any intrusive commentary or judgment. The narrative unravels through the eyes of the children, gracefully blurring the line between the sacred and the mundane.

And it isn't just the human element that captivates - the documentary's cinematography is a visual delight. The hermitage in the lap of the Himalayas offers a stunning canvas, and Kang captures these visuals splendidly. The breathtaking shots of the monastery, set against the backdrop of Nepal's mountainous landscape, add depth to the narrative, emphasizing the solitude and seclusion of this unique lifestyle.

The film also explores themes of companionship and kinship among the boys. Given their early initiation into monastic life, these relationships often substitute for familial ones. The camaraderie and the inherent innocence of these relationships provide some of the most moving moments in the film.

Yet, despite the seemingly idyllic Tibetan Buddhist monastery setting, 'A Little Wisdom' doesn't shy away from exposing viewers to the harsher realities of monastic life. It questions the nature of happiness, spirituality, and the cost of tradition on the innocence of childhood. Where does sacred wisdom figure in the world of playful young monks torn between their spiritual commitments and just being kids?

Throughout its duration, the movie gently yet consistently exposes viewers to the contrasts - between the tranquil aura outside and the occasional noisy fracas within the temples, between the ascetic spirit and the normal child's playful heart, between the spiritual teachings and the mundane world outside the monastery's walls.

'A Little Wisdom’ is thus a compelling blend of beauty and stark reality, a narration of life within monastic walls that is as much about human spirit and resilience as it is about hardships and sacrifice. The movie will leave you thinking long after the credits have rolled - about spirituality, about childhood, and about the vague line that often separates the two.