Monday, May 20 Associate Producer, Pamela Krasney presented a copy of When the Iron Bird Flies to His Holiness the Dalai Lama at a small gathering during his visit to Louisville, KY.  This capped off an incredible week of events at this year’s Festival of Faiths, which began with a screening of the film to a very appreciative audience. Screenings are now being organized in connection with HHDL’s Australian tour.  Find out more on our Dalai Lama Film Australia page

May 14, 200+ people turned out to see When the Iron Bird Flies at the Actor’s Theater in Louisville, KY. It was the first night of the Spring Festival of Faiths. The reception to the film was fantastic! Elizabeth Mattis-Namgyel introduced it and gave a wonderful short introduction to meditation before the screening. Click here to watch

The Caritas Spiritist Center is having a special presention of When the Iron Bird Flies on June 28 at 7 PM. Click here to learn more

We are thrilled that Elizabeth Mattis-Namgyel, who is such wonderful presence in When the Iron Bird Flies, is joining the film in person at the May 14th showing in Louisville, KY as part of the Festival of Faiths week of events leading up to the visit of HH Dalai Lama. Elizabeth will lead a Q&A after the screening in the evening following a day of her teaching on Meditation.  Check out the amazing line up of events at this week long celebration. Tickets and information at – http://festivaloffaiths.org/2013-events/ or call – (502) 584-1205 or (800) 428-5849.

When the Iron Bird Flies and Crazy Wisdom are the highlights of a Buddha’s Birthday Bash being hosted by the Martha’s Vineyard Film Society. IRON BIRD co-producer, Amber Bemak is joining the festivities that start at 4 PM on May 17th. Join her for two films, cake, poetry, music and discussion. More info at www.mvfilmsociety.com.

Resting in the foot hills of the magnificent Sangre de Cristo mountains, this beautiful house is set back from the road, surrounded by flagstone patios and a wrap around wooden deck with big-sky and mountain views. It is nestled in 2 acres of trees, landscaped with native plants, and bordered by an arroyo.

2 sunny bedrooms with meditation areas
2 full baths (one with mountain views)

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Located in southern Colorado, Crestone is a unique sanctuary and is home to over 23 spiritual centers.

Photo: Jonathan Finegold

This retreat house is located across from Tsoknyi Rinpoche’s 55-acre retreat land, Yeshe Rangsal, walking distance to Tulku Urgyen’s Stupa and Dorje Yudronma’s shrine.

Sponsored by  Dalai Lama Film Australia

Announcing the Australian Screening Tour of ‘When the Iron Bird Flies: Tibetan Buddhism Arrives in the West’, a film inspired by the intriguing prediction of the 8th century sage, Padmasambhava.

‘When the iron bird flies and horses run on wheels, the Tibetan people will be scattered like ants across the face of the earth.’

You are invited to be a part of this timely exploration of how Tibetan Buddhism has spread from the seclusion and isolation of Tibet to reach out and enrich the lives of many in the West.

Buddhism is the fastest growing religion in Australia and visits by His Holiness the Dalai Lama are highly anticipated and overwhelmingly well attended. This year in June, we are privileged once again to host the Dalai Lama in Australia.

To complement this wonderful event, the new documentary ‘When the Iron Bird Flies’ is available for screenings during 2013.

Organise a Screening

Organising a screening event is a wonderful way to spread the word about the benefits of meditation and Buddhist teachings. It is also an excellent way to raise funds for your organization or for a cause important to your community.

Organising a screening is easy. All you need is basic audio-visual equipment and somewhere for your audience to sit.  If you anticipate a large audience then you may be able to hire a local theatre or cinema.

Help is available every step of the way to ensure a smooth running and successful event.

Since the Chinese invasion of Tibet in the 1950s, the courageous and devout Tibetan people have witnessed the savaging of their religion, language, and culture. As Robert Thurman has pointed out, the Tibetans see their cherished tradition of Buddhism as a “wish-fulfilling tree” with its capacity to bring bliss and enlightenment to all who hear and take to heart its teachings.

When the Iron Bird Flies: Tibetan Buddhism Arrives in the West provides a rich and robust overview of the resilience and flourishing powers of this religion. The title comes from an ancient Tibetan prophecy that states: “When the iron bird flies, the Dharma will reach the West.” Director Victress Hitchcock (Blessing: The Tsoknyi Nangchen Nuns of Tibet) has gathered a group of gifted and impressive Buddhists to comment on the adventures of Tibetan teachers in western countries, including the pioneering work of Chogyam Trungpa, founder of the Naropa Institute. Appearing on screen are His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche, Reginald Ray, Elizabeth Mattis-Namgyal and others.

Among the watersheds in the evolution of the Dharma in the West are the establishment of the College for Tibetan Studies in India to translate ancient manuscripts; the creation of the Mind & Life Institute to extend the teachings of the Dalai Lama to other cultures; the dialogue between Tibetan monks and scientists interested in the brain; the work of a former drug smuggler who is now a wise Tibetan spiritual teacher in prison; and the breakthrough work of a Buddhist nun who became the first woman to receive a prestigious Geshe degree in Tibetan studies.

It is with deep pleasure that we watch this glorious documentary unfold with its affirmation of the efforts of Tibetan teachers to make this religion relevant to the needs and concerns of Westerners. When the Iron Bird Flies is a creative and wide-ranging guide to the spread of a rich spiritual tradition. It’s an invaluable resource to newcomers and seasoned devotees of Tibetan Buddhism.