In whatever I do – music, films, writing, speeches – my work always contains a consistent thread: to practice wisdom over knowledge. Since “Wisdom Over Knowledge” is also the name of my production company, let me explain. In our daily lives we encounter a lot of knowledge from eternal sources – books, classes, television and Internet – but we have to cultivate wisdom within ourselves. Wisdom is having compassion: an ability to find kindness, courage, and true selflessness from within when knowledge leaves us without a compass to truly understand our responsibility as a human being. I always like to give the example of a bank robbery: it takes a lot of knowledge to rob a bank - from observing the guards’ routine to planning the getaway route - but wisdom will never let you do it. Not because of the risk of getting caught and going to jail, but because you know that such an act is wrong because it is conducted out of lack of fundamental compassion for humanity. When we lack this kind of compassion and rely only on social conventions to guide us, we run the risk of compromising not just our lives but the interconnectedness of all lives. While my work might reach people along the same channels of “knowledge,” when it reaches them they get a full dose of gritty teachings on wisdom and compassion.
The continuing struggle for Tibetan liberation is something that is very close to my heart and cultural roots. Much of what I do and create as an artist is to support the campaign to end the Chinese occupation of Tibet, and restore the fundamental human rights of all Tibetans. And in my support for my people’s rights, I dedicate all my efforts in support of the human rights of all struggling people.
I also take my concerns to the streets. All over the U.S. and Canada I have organized concerts to raise funds for the Tibetan freedom movement, spearheaded public marches and demonstrations and given talks at human rights festivals and cultural programs. I am also a spokesman for my cause, and have been interviewed by television, newspaper and radio media during critical events such as the spring 2008 protests in Tibet and the controversial 2008 summer Olympic games in Beijing.
While I was in India for three months filming the documentary Journey of a Dream I came even closer to my Tibetan roots by journeying to Dharamsala, the home in exile for the Dalai Lama and capital of the Tibetan government-in-exile. While there, I meet so many remarkable and talented Tibetans doing amazing work on behalf of the fate of their homeland. Words cannot express how inspiring it all was – and I am fortunate that I have the power of music and film to show how important and historical the Tibetan movement is.
I also take my concerns to the streets. All over the U.S. and Canada I have organized concerts to raise funds for the Tibetan freedom movement, spearheaded public marches and demonstrations and given talks at human rights festivals and cultural programs. I am also a spokesman for my cause, and have been interviewed by television, newspaper and radio media during critical events such as the spring 2008 protests in Tibet and the controversial 2008 summer Olympic games in Beijing.
While I was in India for three months filming the documentary Journey of a Dream I came even closer to my Tibetan roots by journeying to Dharamsala, the home in exile for the Dalai Lama and capital of the Tibetan government-in-exile. While there, I meet so many remarkable and talented Tibetans doing amazing work on behalf of the fate of their homeland. Words cannot express how inspiring it all was – and I am fortunate that I have the power of music and film to show how important and historical the Tibetan movement is.
