Saranam Gacchâmi

A visionary Buddhist Monk, hailing from the Himalayan foothills of Nepal, embarked on an extraordinary journey to California, defying all odds to establish one of the Bay Area's largest Tibetan Monasteries—an invaluable sanctuary preserving the endangered Tibetan culture, traditions, and language.

Synopsis: At the tender age of 12, he embraced a monastic life and was bestowed with a new name, Thupten Donyo, signifying "Buddha's teachings" and "meaningful." Reflecting on his childhood and the inspiration that propelled his exceptional journey, Donyo shares, "If my name means 'meaningful,' I should be a person of meaning." Born in the Himalayan foothills and raised as a Tibetan refugee, he bore witness to the struggles of his community, igniting a desire to make a difference beyond his spiritual path.

Since 1959, Tibet has been under Chinese occupation, leading to the forced migration and exile of a significant portion of the Tibetan diaspora. Following the 1990 U.S. Immigration Act, which allocated 1,000 special visas to Tibetans living in exile in Nepal and India, this micro-minority has grown significantly in the Bay Area, including Richmond, El Cerrito, Albany, and Berkeley.

As Tibetan refugees found new homes in the East Bay cities, Donyo recognized the need for a secure haven for his fellow Tibetans—a place to gather, uphold their cultural heritage and traditions and safeguard their way of life. In response, he founded the Gyuto Monastery, which grew to become the Bay Area's largest Tibetan Monastery. Serving as a second home, the establishment offered solace and nurtured the community's collective heritage.

Yet, overseeing a Monastery comes with formidable challenges. Heavily reliant on donations, Donyo's frugal approach ensures that every contribution goes to the Monastery's upkeep. Now, at 63 years old, his foremost concern is locating a worthy successor to perpetuate this cherished legacy.

Director, Producer, Cinematographer: Priyanka Suryaneni

Additional Cinematography: Erika Staud

Editor: Prakshi Malik

Learn more: www.prisuryaneni.com/saranam-gacchami