A new documentary, The Lama’s Son, offers a rare glimpse into the Bon tradition of Tibet and the challenges facing its followers in a rapidly changing world. The film, directed by Kesang Tseten, focuses on Lubra, a village in northern Nepal where a significant population adheres to the Bon faith.
The film centers on an aging lama awaiting the return of his son, who has joined a growing number of young Bon practitioners who have emigrated to the United States. The Lama’s Son explores the beliefs and practices of Bon, a religion predating Buddhism in Tibet, and the difficulties its adherents face in preserving their cultural heritage. According to Tseten, the film also examines the historical perception of the Himalayan region as a Shangri-La, questioning the validity of that “orientalist construct.”
Lama Tsultrim, featured in the film, comes from a 900-year-old lineage within the Bon faith. The documentary highlights his role as an exponent of a tradition increasingly influenced by both Buddhism and modernizing forces. The film’s production team documented families in the Mustang region of Nepal, grappling with the tension between their remote traditions and the pressures of globalization.
Even as Bon and Buddhism share core beliefs such as karma and rebirth, the film illuminates the distinct practices of Bon followers. Tseten’s work aims to present the culture not as exotic, but as a familiar reality for those within the community, and a vanishing way of life for many.
The Lama’s Son is currently available for streaming until midnight on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
