When the Iron Bird Flies...Tibetan Buddhism Arrives in the West
Friday, February 28, 2014 at 05:30PM 
In 1959, the Chinese invasion of Tibet threw open the doors to the mysterious realm of Tibetan Buddhism and suddenly this rich, ancient tradition was propelled into the modern world. Half a century later, Padmasambhava’s prophecy has come true and the teachings of Tibetan Buddhism are found in every corner of the earth.
Tsoknyi Rinpoche and Richard Gere during the filming of WHEN THE IRON BIRD FLIES.
photo by © WHEN THE IRON BIRD FLIES
View Trailer:
WHEN THE IRON BIRD FLIES takes us on an up-close and personal journey following the astounding path of one of the world's great spiritual traditions from the caves of Tibet to the mainstream of Western culture. Along the way, the film tackles the provocative exchanges between Buddhist practitioners and scholars and Western scientists, psychologists, and educators now at the heart of the emergence of a genuine Western tradition of Buddhism.
Anam Thubten meets with a student at Dhyana Hall in Point Richmond, California.
photo by © WHEN THE IRON BIRD FLIES
The film investigates the question: “In these increasingly challenging times, can these age-old teachings help us find genuine happiness and create a saner, more compassionate 21st century world?”
"When the Iron Bird Flies offers a lively, gripping and down-to-earth introduction to the most basic of human truths: the ways in which our minds are never lastingly satisfied and our existential uneasiness -- and how we can finally find peace. I highly recommend it."
Daniel Goleman, Author of the New York Times best seller, ‘Emotional Intelligence’
Through candid interviews with contemporary teachers and practitioners, rare archival footage, and striking images of modern life that illuminate and make accessible the Buddha’s core teachings, the film creates a vivid and entertaining portrait of the world of Tibetan Buddhism, as it is manifesting in America and the West. Contact us to view full screener:
APPEARANCES BY:
ANAM THUBTEN • B. ALAN WALLACE • CHOKYI NYIMA RINPOCHE • HH DALAI LAMA • DZIGAR KONGTRUL RINPOCHE • DZONGSAR KHYENTSE RINPOCHE • E. GENE SMITH • ELIZABETH MATTIS-NAMGYAL • FLEET MAULL • GESHE KELSANG WANGMO • JETSUN KHANDRO RINPOCHE • MATTHIEU RICARD • PHAKCHOK RINPOCHE • REGINALD RAY • DR. RICHARD DAVIDSON • RICHARD GERE • TSOKNYI RINPOCHE • LAMA TSULTRIM ALLIONE • and others...USA • Running time: 96 minutes • English • Not Rated • Color and B&W © 2012 Chariot Productions & Pundarika Foundation
When the Iron Bird Flies DVD Purchase Options:
A Note About Our Academic and Institutional Pricing
Educational DVD with PPR: $295
Anytime you want to screen a film on campus, Public Performance Rights (PPR) need to be obtained. Copyright law (USC 17§101) defines a public performance as occurring in a public space or if it is in any place if "a substantial number of persons outside of a normal circle of a family and its acquaintances" is gathered there. This would include classrooms, meeting rooms, auditoriums, dorm lounges, etc. However, copyright law (USC 17§110) also provides an exception for face-to-face teaching activities in a nonprofit educational institution.
Digital Site License with PPR: $395
A DSL grants educational institutions and/or non-profit organizations a limited license to host and stream a film online to students, faculty and staff on their password-protected server. This license is granted for three years. The key advantage of purchasing a DSL is that once uploaded, an unlimited number of viewers can access the film from multiple locations simultaneously.
DVD + DSL bundle PPR: $450
K-12, Non-profit, Public Library with PPR: $125
If your system is not PayPal or credit-card “friendly”, we will accept your purchase order or send you an invoice payable by check. For details on purchase orders, please contact: nagle.patrick@gmail.com
PLEASE NOTE: If you are not familiar with the origins of Tibetan Buddhism here is a five minute introduction narrated by Richard Gere: