“The Monk and the Gun” and the Paradox of Life

In his latest film, The Monk and the Gun, director Pawo Choyning Dorji crafts an intriguing narrative that compels viewers to reexamine their pursuits and priorities in life.

Sense of Wander: ★★★★☆

Foreseeing the impending chaos, the lama comes out of his retreat and instructs his young disciple to fetch two guns for him.

*For those who haven’t watched the film, this article contains spoilers!

So what is a Buddhist monk doing with a gun? Like many, this was the question I had when I first saw the trailer for The Monk and the Gun.

The striking juxtaposition of a monk — representing wisdom, spirituality, and peace — wielding a gun, an emblem of war, destruction, and suffering, intrigued me and compelled me to watch the film. Yet, the answer as to why the monk wanted the gun remains a mystery until the film’s end.

Set in 2006, the film captures Bhutan at a pivotal moment as the nation transitions from monarchy to democratic reforms. In the town of Ura, the villagers, unfamiliar with the concept of an election, are puzzled when asked to provide their date of birth during the registration process — an irrelevant detail in their pre-democratic daily lives.

Then enters the well-intentioned politician, Tshering Yangden, who oversees the registration process and supervises a mock election to facilitate Bhutan’s transition to democracy. When Tshering expresses pride in her work, saying, “Soon it will pass and everyone will be happy and prosperous,” local resident Tshomo responds, "But Madame... we have always been happy."

Meanwhile, the advent of television has captivated dozens of people, who gather in a shop to marvel at the new technology. The British spy movie, in particular, enthralls the viewers, as they try to grasp this “new world” beyond their own — a world paradoxically condensed into a small, square box — much like their tentative understanding of “democracy” and “elections.”

After an extensive search, Tashi finally finds an elder who, despite the high price offered to buy the rifle, chooses to consecrate it to the lama.

An old lama, foreseeing the imminent changes sweeping across Bhutan, comes out from his retreat. “I don't know anything about these modern ways, but we need to make things right,” he declares with a heavy heart. He asks his young disciple, Tashi, to retrieve two guns by the upcoming full moon — falling on the day of the mock election.

The lama’s request raises compelling questions: Why does he need guns? What does he intend to do with them? These questions linger in the minds of viewers, challenging our perceptions of revered figures and their roles and responsibilities during times of change.

This sets the stage for Pawo Choyning Dorji’s storytelling, ingeniously weaving together seemingly unrelated characters to create a compelling narrative: Tashi, a young monk tasked with finding guns for his teacher; Tshering, who is visiting the secluded town to oversee the country's transition to democracy; and a local tour guide who chauffeurs an American collector seeking an antique rifle.

While Tashi treks across the countryside on foot, viewers glimpse the expansive landscape stretching across the town, heightening curiosity about one of the happiest — and most mysterious — countries in the world. Tasked with fulfilling his teacher’s request, the young monk searches from house to house, despite never having seen a firearm in his life.

Meanwhile, Benji accompanies Ronald Coleman, an American collector, in search of a valuable antique rifle. They reach the home of an elderly man who owns a rifle from the U.S. Civil War, rumoured to have taken the lives of hundreds of Tibetans. After agreeing to return the next day with a substantial amount of cash to purchase the rifle, they take off.

As soon as Benji and Ronald leave, Tashi arrives and informs the elder of his teacher’s request. Without hesitation, the elderly man decides to consecrate the priceless firearm to the lama, agreeing only to exchange it for a handful of betel nuts and refusing any monetary compensation.

On their way to catch up with Tashi, who has left with the rifle, their vehicle breaks down, prompting Benji and Ronald to hitch a ride with local villagers.

After learning that the rifle had been given to Tashi, Benji and Ronald set off to find him, hoping to buy the rifle. Eventually, they negotiate a deal to exchange the rifle for two AK47s, as requested by Tashi, to be delivered on full moon.

In the midst of their conversation, Ronald, speaking almost on behalf of the viewers, asks, “You don’t think he’s going to kill anyone… He’s a monk, right?” Benji replies nonchalantly, “I don’t know, man. We live in strange times.” This simple exchange highlights the uncertainty not only faced by the people in Bhutan during a period of change but also offers commentary on the unpredictability of our current world.

On the big day, the voting process unfolds. The scene then shifts to an open-air ceremony where monks blow Tibetan horns, their deep, reassuring echoes filling the expansive landscape, setting the stage for a ritual that draws villagers to gather. “Is something significant about to happen?” I ponder. Tashi specifically seeks out Tshering, who is in the midst of reviewing the trial election results, explaining that the ceremony is held for her.

The lama then reveals his reason for wanting a firearm. Gathering the crowd in front of an open pit, he admits he knows little about modern society and is uncertain if upcoming changes are for the better or worse. However, he feels compelled to act rightly.

He continues, explaining that stupas — Buddhist mounds symbolising enlightenment — were built to dispel bad karma. Today, he announces plans for a new stupa to cleanse Bhutan of negative karma during this transformative period.

For the foundation of stupas, “grains prevent famine and medicine counters pandemics,“ the lama explains. “We must bury something that symbolises hatred, conflict, and suffering.” He asserts that nothing embodies negativity like a firearm; by burying it beneath the stupa, he believes peace will prevail.

Ronald and Benji offer to buy the rifle from Tashi.

The lama gathers the villagers in front of an open pit, announcing his plan to build a new stupa in town.

In an unexpected turn of events, Benji offered the two AK47s they had been carrying as part of the consecration to the stupa, in the hope of avoiding trouble with the police who are pursuing them. As they watched the priceless firearms being thrown into the pit, both of them were left powerless.

On the same night, the lama, Tashi, Benji, Ronald, Tshering, and the villagers gather around the fire. The lama presents the American collector with a red-painted sculpture in the shape of a phallus — a powerful symbol that transcends duality and guides one towards enlightenment — in gratitude for his generous contribution. Then, the lama chants, “May all be happy. May all be free from suffering.”

Ronald receives this gift with mixed feelings, longing for the rifle he had hoped to possess instead. Tshering explains, “They say participating in this sacred ritual helps you accumulate merits.”

"Merits?" Ronald questions. “Good deeds? Will it really help you let go of personal attachments?" But none of us are here for those reasons, huh?” Tshering responds soberly.

This poignant conversation is what moves me the most. Throughout the film, attachment takes various forms: for Tshering, it’s the belief that the transition to democracy is in the nation’s best interest; for Ronald, it’s that longing for the rifle he searched tirelessly for, now buried beneath the stupa. Yet, Tshering remains unaware that her vision for the country may not align with what matters most to some citizens, while Ronald grapples with the unresolved loss of the cherished object that slipped from his grasp.

While Tshering and Ronald have different pursuits in life, their journeys serve as a mirror for viewers to reflect on their own attachments.

In my view, The Monk and the Gun provides comfort in knowing that events often happen for a purpose, often to teach us important lessons.

After all, life is a continuous journey of learning. Even the wise lama must adopt to the unpredictable future. Rather than fearing the unknown, he leverages his wisdom and strong beliefs to navigate uncertainty with resolve.

Images courtesy of Roadside Attractions*