Kiwi Buddha

Kiwi Buddha follows the journey of seven-year-old Rinpoche as he becomes the first Buddhist High Lama incarnated in the Southern Hemisphere. ‘Venerable Pong Re Sung Rap Tulku Rinpoche' is a schoolboy from Kaukapakapa, just north of Auckland. The film documents Rinpoche's journey as he leaves small-town New Zealand behind (along with McDonald's and Pokémon) to travel to a grand Himalayan monastery where he will spend his next 20 years studying Buddhism. Kiwi Buddha sold to the National Geographic channel and to 60 territories. The backgrounder article offers a peek at the making of the film.

His name is Pong Re Sung Rap Tulku Rinpoche, Rinpoche for short, meaning ‘precious one’. He was, up until now, a Kiwi kid, but suddenly this six year old child is revered and bowed down to as an enlightened being — a Kiwi Buddha.

– Narrator, Jennifer Ward-Lealand introduces 'Kiwi Buddha' Rinpoche

Key Cast & Crew

Peta Carey

Director, Camera

Leanne Pooley

Producer

Sue Woodfield

Executive Producer

Kathleen Kimi

Production Manager

Llyod Canham

Sound Mix

Brenton Cumberpatch

Online Editor