South Asia’s Silent Crisis: His Eminence Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche Warns of Lost Ideological Sovereignty Amid Cultural Shifts

Kathmandu | July 2, 2025

While movie premieres, celebrity interviews, and streaming trends dominate headlines across South Asia, His Eminence Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche—renowned filmmaker, Buddhist teacher, and writer—is quietly directing a new film in Nepal titled Perfect God. The film follows a Behrupiya—a traditional impressionist who paints himself as divine figures and performs in remote villages—a vanishing art form fading in the shadow of digital culture.

But beyond the cinematic project, Rinpoche’s deeper concern lies in a far more pressing issue: the ideological erosion of South Asian countries. He warns that nations like Nepal, India, and Bhutan are increasingly surrendering control over their own narratives, shaped more by Silicon Valley algorithms and Western-authored databases than by local voices.

“We’ve lost our ideological sovereignty,” says His Eminence. “If you search for Mustang or Lumbini online, most of what you’ll find is written by people who have never lived here. And slowly, even we begin to believe their version of our truth.”

A Spiritual Lens on Vanishing Cultures

Known globally for spiritually rich films like The Cup (1999), Travellers and Magicians (2003), and Dakini (2019), His Eminence continues to explore themes of identity, illusion, and impermanence. In Perfect God, he returns to these questions through the lens of a character whose very existence is becoming obsolete.

“In the age of TikTok and Netflix, the Behrupiya seems outdated,” he notes. “But there’s something deeply melancholic and beautiful in that vanishing world. These performers were once as captivating as any screen star.”

Films Beyond the Frame

Though Perfect God features a trained professional cast, His Eminence remains a minimalist director who avoids over-managing his team. “I trust the people I work with. If I micromanage them, I only get in their way.”

He also warns against overemphasizing aesthetics. “A beautifully framed shot means nothing if it doesn’t serve the story. Beauty alone can actually weaken a film.”

AI and the Crisis of Interpretation

His Eminence also leads the 84000 Project—a monumental initiative to translate the entire Buddhist canon into English. With the rise of artificial intelligence, the project has accelerated dramatically.

“A passage that once took two years can now be translated in 30 seconds by AI,” he says. “But that comes with the danger of distortion. Who checks the meaning? Most databases come from the West. That’s a major concern.”

The Algorithm and the Asian Identity

What worries him more is the creeping digital colonization of South Asian minds.

“We’re consuming ourselves through someone else’s lens,” says His Eminence. “Google tells our stories now. Wikipedia defines our culture. And slowly, we lose our sense of who we are.”

He acknowledges that countries like China have chosen to author their own narratives—even if they are controversial. “At least they tell their own version. In South Asia, we’ve lost even that power.”

He observes similar trends in places like Japan, where younger generations are growing up with increasingly Westernized worldviews. “In two decades, Nepalis living abroad might not recognize their own humor, shame, or emotional subtleties. That’s a cultural crisis.”

Resilience and Creativity in Nepal

Having first visited Nepal at the age of 13, His Eminence has returned many times over the decades. He marvels at the country’s resilience and artistic depth.

“Even during political turmoil or blackouts, Nepalis keep going. That strength is rare,” he says. “Nepal’s creative spirit—dating back centuries—is still vibrant, but it must be protected from too much processed content from outside.”

Storytelling in a Distracted Age

Reflecting on cinema today, His Eminence emphasizes the challenge of making meaningful films in an era of fleeting attention spans. “Yes, most people want fast, flashy stories. But there are still those who crave depth. You just have to find them.”

He believes in storytelling that balances authenticity and accessibility. “It’s tempting to make films just to please audiences, but true storytelling lives in the space between what the creator feels and what the audience can grasp.”

Staying Awake in a Clouded World

When asked how people can remain clear-headed amidst the noise of social media and constant information, His Eminence offers practical advice.

“The human mind is easily manipulated. But if you let yourself be influenced by multiple perspectives—not just one—you become more thoughtful, more aware.”

He encourages people to seek balance. “If you want to understand India, read both Indian and Pakistani views. If you want to know China, read both Western and Chinese sources. Don’t rely on just one angle. That’s how you stay intellectually free.”

A Quiet Call to Action

In his quiet yet powerful way, His Eminence Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche reminds South Asia that sovereignty isn’t just about borders or economies—it’s about ideas, identity, and narrative control.

“If we don’t tell our own stories, someone else will,” he says. “And the longer we wait, the more foreign our reflection becomes.”

Source: Kathmandu Post