Loving Karma

The Evening We gather on Zoom for a two-hour experience around Loving Karma — a documentary filmed deep in the Himalayan foothills of Arunachal Pradesh. A brief conversation opens the call, followed by the film itself, and then a conversation with members of the filmmaking team. Free and open to all.

The Film Loving Karma is the sequel to the Emmy Award-winning Tashi and the Monk. Set at Jhamtse Gatsal — "Garden of Love and Compassion" — it follows children who have known loss and abandonment as they find belonging, discover their own goodness, and slowly become a source of light for one another. Quietly joyful and deeply moving, it has been recognized at festivals around the world, including the Kids International Family Film Festival.

The Filmmakers Loving Karma is the work of directors Andrew Hinton and Johnny Burke, who have spent over a decade in relationship with Lobsang and the children of Jhamtse Gatsal. Andrew makes self-shot documentaries rooted in human resilience and social change. Johnny's films — which have earned the Emmy, Amnesty International's Best Documentary, and recognition at Banff — explore the human capacity for transformation with humor and deep empathy.

Lobsang & Jhamtse Gatsal Lobsang Phuntsok is the founder of Jhamtse Gatsal, a home and school he built in the mountains of Arunachal Pradesh for children who had no one. Guided by Buddhist principles of compassion and service, he has spent decades creating a community where children not only heal but become agents of care for those around them. His spirit is present in every frame of this film.