MOLA - A Tibetan Tale of Love and Loss (2025)

[bunniefuu]

You cut those pretty thick.

I'll take a short break.

We are looking forward

to your birthday party.

See you soon, all the best.

Look how beautiful.

Come, sit here.

When I pray,

I include all living beings

and do it for their

benefits too...

so that they may enter paradise.

Every time I recite the Om Mani

Peme Hung, I think of this.

I don't think I have

that long to live.

Maybe I will live

three more years?

I don't think I'll live longer.

Who knows, right?

That's soon.

Who knows, suddenly you're dead.

Are you homesick for Tibet?

-Yes...

-You think of Tibet every day?

No, not every day, but I

would like to die in Tibet.

I dont think about

it all the time.

Why do you want to go?

Now that I am old

I would like to die in the

religious paradise in Tibet.

And you are not afraid to die?

-Im not afraid.

-Good.

I see... so this is...

So this is your last wish,

isn't it?

Yes.

Whats wrong,

your eyes are full of tears.

So what, I am sad.

What happened?

Why should you be sad?

If you leave,

of course I will be sad.

-You don't have to be sad.

-Why not?

You should think:

She's old and it's

wonderful that

she can die there.

Of course I think that,

but still I am very sad.

-We lived together for 64 years.

-Yes...

And so...

if you just leave

all of a sudden,

this is very difficult for me.

I know I wont be alone,

but its not the same.

Theres no urgency.

We dont even have a visa yet.

Yes, lets wait for the visa.

Yes, exactly., exactly...

Here, they say that

if the Chinese say 'no' once,

you don't get a

second chance because

they dont want to lose face.

If you need a detailed letter,

we can send one.

Let us wait and see.

When she comes

Ill take care of her.

I am always at home.

Yes, you are right.

Actually, I would prefer

for my mother to stay here.

I would look after her myself

until she dies.

It would be much easier for me.

Mola says it is very important

for her to go back to Tibet.

And if I dont

fulfill my mothers

wish, Ill have a bad

conscience, right?

Yes, that's her wish,

we have to respect that.

Mola said you should perform

a Mo to read the future.

I replied: What sort of Mo?

She said, To see

if there will be obstacles.

Then I said: Youre

going there to

die what obstacles

could there be?

We both had to laugh so hard.

You are right, you are right.

Dear Mr. Ambassador,

My 100-year-old

mother-in-law would

like to return to her

homeland of Tibet.

As you know it is

difficult for Tibetans to be

approved for visas by

the Chinese government.

We would be grateful

if you could put in

a good word with your

Chinese counterpart

as this journey is

a final wish for her.

Many thanks in advance

and best regards,

Martin Brauen and

Sonam Dolma Brauen.

-What did she want to say?

-What did you say?

We dont show

Tibetans after they die.

Martin is asking what you said

about being 100 years old.

What?

He said to say it in Tibetan;

your German isnt clear.

When I speak Tibetan

he asks me to speak German.

When I speak German

he asks me to speak Tibetan.

What did she say?

Say it again in Tibetan.

You always film me

when Sonam cuts my hair.

Go there, come here,

go up, come down,

when I eat or when I cook

you film me.

Later when I die are you going

to show all this to everyone?

Say it nicely, Mola.

-Why is it not good to show?

-Why isnt it good?

What do you mean, nicely?

Why is it not good to show you?

If shown?

When you die, your consciousness

lingers and does

not come to rest.

This is difficult for

the consciousness.

My God, not that much.

Mola, thats too much!

Its okay, go ahead.

I offer this golden drink

to the Buddha,

the Buddhist teachings,

the Monastic community,

and all spiritual teachers,

the wrathful and

peaceful deities

and the countless

protective deities.

I offer this golden

drink to all living beings.

May the happiness be increased

like a waxing moon.

And may all our religious

wishes come true.

Oh, so many clothes.

Do you know what this is?

-Monk robes.

-Yes, monk robes.

They sent them from Lhasa.

Lama and monks who used to

live in Tibet sent those to me.

They sent me dirty

and used robes.

Those are very old robes.

And this one?

Oh thats a...

A dog with big eyes,

with a mouth and a nose.

Oh, lips.

How do you like this one?

Oh its colorful.

Did I layer the

monk robes nicely?

Yes you did.

-Looks nice, doesn't it?

-Yes.

All these shades

of yellow and red.

Most probably

no one will buy it.

Probably not,

Im not well known.

-Is it too hot?

-I cant tell.

Now I want to find out

if I can go to Tibet or not.

Will I be able to

return to Tibet or not?

Will I have the opportunity

to die in Tibet or not?

Not good.

Can I travel to Tibet or not?

Ah!

Not good.

Not good.

Ha, all three times

are not good.

You won't get it.

I won't get it.

You will have to stay here.

Switzerland is also a paradise.

Your Guru Dudjom

Rinpoche also said,

Switzerland is like a paradise.

Dear Mr. Brauen,

I have contacted the

Chinese embassy about

your mother-in-laws

visa application.

The Chinese authorities require

the identities of the relatives

with whom your

mother-in-law will be

living; address,

phone number, etc...

You must also provide

a letter of invitation

from the relatives.

Yours sincerely,

Ambassador Mller.

You have been practicing

religion all your life.

Yes.

What is the essence

of your religion?

What is very important in

practicing religion

is awareness.

Once you master your

consciousness you will

understand the

teachings of the essence.

If you do not practice properly

in this life and you die,

then you miss a

unique opportunity.

Now you have a

chance to practice.

After death it is too late and

your consciousness fades away.

It is very difficult to attain

life as a human being

therefore one

should not waste it.

You should eat too.

You lost your mother

when you were five

and your father

when you were 13.

Mother, do you remember?

My father was very sick.

He knew he would die soon.

He said there were religious

dances in the monastery.

He asked me to take him there.

So I led him very slowly up

the stairs to the monastery.

At the top we sat together

and watched the dances.

Because when you

see these deities,

you are less afraid of death.

Afterwards I put my father

to bed and he fell asleep.

And that was it.

Martin asks what your

happiest time in your life was?

Ah yes, my happiest time was in

Tibet in the hermitage

with my guru.

Where we meditated and

received teachings from him.

There I retired to meditate and

received deep

teachings for my practice.

When I was in the hermitage,

I meditated on the virtues:

not to k*ll, not to lie, not to

say anything evil, and so on.

When I look back, that

was the best time of my life.

When we were rebuilding a temple

we were singing this song.

The monks came to help

and would sing with us.

I was young then, and the

men lost their hearts to me.

They all tried to

touch me and tease

me. Those were

pretty turbulent times.

Then what did you do?

I ran away.

What was the most

dangerous situation?

When they...

tried to grab me.

You ran away? Didn't

some catch you?

Yes but I fought back.

Without fighting back

I didn't stand a chance.

In Switzerland, this would be

reported to the police.

Yes...

And they would put them in jail.

In Tibet it was different,

wasn't it?

You couldn't tell anyone.

No, they would have

troubled me more.

There is a Tibetan saying:

Deer in the mountains

come down to the valley

to see who has the longest horn.

It will be difficult

for us without you.

Difficult?

-Were going to miss you.

-I see...

Wont you miss us?

Of course Ill miss you

but when I get over there

I will pray for you all.

Mola, do you remember

after the Dalai Lama

escaped to India

you said we have to leave too.

Yes.

I was very young

but I still remember

my little sister and our father

who were with us.

We had to cross icy rivers.

From Kongpo, we then

had to cross many passes.

At the border we were met

by Indian soldiers.

We arrived at the

refugee camp at night.

Every day at least two people

died and were carried away.

After about one week at the

refugee camp we all got sick.

My daughter got

so sick and died.

We crushed stones, lived in

the forest and wandered around.

We spent 12 years in India.

They were very difficult for us.

And because of the enormous

strains, father passed away.

From then on,

it was just the two of us.

Mola, do you remember

when we moved to Mussoorie

and got to know Martin there?

Yes, then we met Martin

and you got to know each other.

Then we came to Switzerland.

And then Yangzom

and Tashi were born.

I had no more worries;

Martin took them all away.

We were carefree.

We felt so happy.

I think,

the majority of Tibetan people

always think that

one day we will return.

Certainly, you see...

most of them...

certainly,

including myself.

You see, always thinking,

its our own country.

So those refugees, I think,

should think that way.

No boundary now.

After a few centuries I think

the world will be one community.

As it should be.

Oh, a 100 years old.

Thank you very much.

-You still look fit.

-Yes.

Thank you so much

for your great efforts.

Those are called Magpies.

Magpie.

Those are called Jay Birds.

Jay bird.

-Jay Bird.

-Jay Bird.

Magpie.

Magpie.

Dear Mr. Ambassador,

it has been four months since

our initial request for a visa

for my mother-in-law

to travel to Tibet.

We have yet to hear anything

from the Chinese embassy.

Would it be possible for you to

speak to the Chinese ambassador

and inquire as to

the state of affairs?

Many thanks and best regards,

Martin Brauen.

Do you want to watch TV?

Yes.

Do you like to watch Tibetan TV?

Yes, Ladakh TV is good.

Dear Mr. Brauen,

I contacted the

Chinese ambassador

again regarding

the visa application.

Their reply is that there

are unfortunate delays,

which Im sure

is disappointing.

Im keeping my

fingers crossed that

this situation can be resolved.

Dear Ambassador Mller,

we heard from the

Chinese embassy.

They require more information

about our relatives in Lhasa,

asking again for

our relationship,

their occupations,

ID cards, etc.

We will provide

everything requested,

and look forward to

a positive outcome.

Sincerely,

Martin Brauen.

How long did you live in India,

Mola?

Me?

About 11 to 12 years.

How long have you

been in Switzerland?

I don't know anymore.

I can't remember.

With your invitation

letter that you

sent me Ill go to the

Chinese embassy.

Then we wait.

If this doesnt work well look

for another solution, right?

Yes, yes...

Cheers.

Cheers.

Dear Mr. Brauen,

I spoke to the Chinese

ambassador who said the

information you provided

is being considered.

I wish I had more to offer

but this is where things stand.

Ambassador Mller.

Ambassador Mller,

we appreciate your assistance,

and while

the lack of resolution

is discouraging

we remain hopeful

my mother-in-law

will be able to

make this journey

while she is still

able to travel.

With our kindest regards,

Martin Brauen.

How come he doesnt film me?

Because Im more beautiful,

thats why.

Must be.

So proud...

Well, then dont ask me.

Tell me something else.

I pray to the precious

lotus born master,

who is so kind to

the land of Tibet,

and tames the demons

in the south-west.

And I offer it to

the Three Jewels.

And now it goes to Molas mouth.

Whats going on?

Shes drinking tea and has tears

in her eyes. Look at this.

Look at those wrinkles!

And you dont have any wrinkles?

Well, how old are

you and how old am I?

You said you are 20 years old.

Whats that?

When we lived in India

you were very beautiful.

You were young

and your hair was tidy.

At the time you were

so beautiful, right Martin?

Mm-hmm.

See, he said yes.

Now Im not beautiful anymore?

Oh... her face is beautiful,

her eyes are perfect

with no wrinkles.

She looks beautiful Martin!

Say it to me,

not to Martin please.

You look so beautiful

with no wrinkles.

Look, so beautiful.

Oh wait, whats happening?

Hello!

You really look so

beautiful now. Wow.

Hello, whats nice about me?

Tell me.

Do you have something

nice to say about me?

-Of course I have.

-Well, then tell me.

It seems its hard for you to

say something nice about me.

Well, its how it is.

Apparently to you

Im not a good person.

If I wasnt here

would you be happy?

Yes.

When I ask you to praise me

you have nothing to say.

Anything good Ive

done you never mention.

What good have you done?

See, there is no good thing

you can say about me.

See, if theres nothing to say,

then what is there to say?

How sad is that? You dont have

one good thing to say about me.

Thats unbelievable mother.

So complicated.

Put some here. Its dry.

There, on your forehead.

Oh, how sweet you are...

with those wrinkles.

Close your mouth like that.

Ok, now what are we going to do?

Were done.

Were done, right?

Here we are, wait Mola.

-Shall I sit here?

-Yes.

-Will you fit?

-Yes.

Of course I fit, Im skinny.

Dream on.

Are you looking

forward to traveling there?

Yes.

Whats the situation

with the Chinese?

That's what Im wondering.

The Chinese won't do

anything to an old woman.

This is not for playing.

Stop it, Sonam Dolma!

She is doing this

on purpose to annoy me.

It is a sin

when you do this.

Its not a sin.

How can it be

a sin if I do this?

I told you not to do this

and then you

continue on purpose.

Okay Mola, I'll stop, Ill stop.

Why is it bad if I do this?

If you do it with

good intentions and

respect,

then it would be different.

But you try to irritate me

on purpose. That is not good.

Right, that's not good.

I'll stop.

I keep telling you to

recite the mani and

take refuge to Buddha

and his teachings.

That would be good for you,

so that

when you die you

will go to paradise.

Thus everything I do is a sin.

Now all is lost.

Dear Mr. Ambassador,

our persistence has paid off.

After eleven months we have been

assured by the Chinese embassy

that the visa for my

mother-in-law will be

issued, and she will

be able to travel soon.

We are grateful for your

help and thank you sincerely.

Kind regards, Martin Brauen

and Sonam Dolma Brauen

I told the doctor

youre going to Tibet.

He said thats

not a problem.

All medication

is available there.

He will write down

everything for you.

You should drink less alcohol.

Do I drink too much?

One glass is probably too much.

Half a glass might be better.

She likes to drink wine.

Yeah, thats fine.

Does it fit?

I would be happy to see you.

I would be so glad.

We would be very

happy if you come.

I am just very old now.

I am very happy,

then I can live with you.

Bye, all the best to you.

Okay Mola,

all the best greetings to all.

Okay, thank you.

Now were done.

All our relatives will be very

happy when you return home.

Unfortunately, we won't be able

to travel to Tibet with you.

I know and leaving you all

behind makes me very sad.

But once you are there,

it will be easier.

Maybe after a while,

it's less difficult.

Still, I will miss you.

In Tibet,

everything can be done,

in the same way

as its done here.

Well send money

so they can build a

bathroom and kitchen

like they do here.

The Chinese have the same

standards as we

do in Switzerland.

And your cousin also knows

what I like to eat and what not.

Someone else would not know

what I like to eat.

In the sky a golden

airplane is flying.

An airplane made of gold.

In the golden airplane

the Dalai Lama is arriving.

His Holiness the

Dalai Lama is arriving.

In the turquoise car

students are arriving.

When the students

arrive in Tibet,

they chase the Chinese away.

When the Chinese

are chased away,

we then will return to Tibet.

Its very early Mola.

Now you are

ready. Dry your face.

And what is this?

Dont take it, its too big...

Dry your hands.

Have you packed all that?

Ive packed everything.

Don't worry about it.

Can I put this in your bag?

I have no space left.

Martin, what are you doing?

We are going to Nepal.

Until Nepal, Yangzom,

Tashi, Martin

and I,

will travel together with you.

But from Nepal you

have to go on alone.

Have a good trip.

We will see you again.

Live long and enjoy it.

Tsewang told me

that you should wear

dark clothing when

you travel to Tibet.

You have to wear this,

you cant wear yellow or red.

-Did you understand?

-Pull from the arm.

Won't they think it's fake?

You have to pretend.

This way the Chinese wont know

that you are a nun.

-Where are you going today?

-To Lhasa.

-You will go all by yourself.

-Yes.

Therefore be careful

with your things.

You have to wear this jacket.

You have to wear this for Lhasa.

-Because its cold in Lhasa.

-Oh Okay.

You have to wear

this when its cold.

Okay, yes.

Sister,

go to the hotel. Dont worry.

We'll be in touch as

soon as Mola lands.

Then we will send you photos.

Bye now.

Oh, sister

we are waiting at the airport.

So cute,

theyre at the airport waiting.

Its so sad.

Isnt it.

-She doesnt yet realize.

-I know...

We let her go.

Mola, your daughter

wants to talk to you.

Mola, did you arrive well?

Where am I now?

In Lhasa.

Did everything go

well on the plane?

It went very well.

It looks cozy.

Yes, it is very cozy.

Oh there you all are.

Hello.

Thank you for picking her up.

I'm very happy about that.

Sister, you don't have to worry.

We are looking after Mola.

Okay, thank you.

Tsewang have you seen the box

for setting up the medicines?

Yes, I saw it.

Today is Friday and she hasn't

taken her evening

medications yet.

Yes, I saw it.

Okay, thats good.

You couldn't sleep well?

Yes, I woke up

suddenly and felt very hot.

Then I started thinking again.

Like I said, you have to decide.

Dear Mr. Ambassador.

After six months in Tibet, the

Chinese authorities

have declined

to renew my

mother-in-laws visa.

Of course, this means we will be

arranging her

return to Switzerland.

My wife will fly to Nepal

to travel with her from there.

We would like to

take this opportunity

to give sincere

thanks for all your help.

Yours sincerely

and respectfully,

Martin Brauen and

Sonam Dolma Brauen.

Hello.

Mola, do you want to come home?

Yes, I will come home.

Didn't you want to stay in

Lhasa, in the land of paradise?

I will be reborn

there regardless.

Do you remember Bern?

Bern is in Switzerland,

isn't it?

What floor do you live on?

Floor?

I don't know anymore.

Do you remember

having to climb the stairs?

Stairs?

The second floor, I think.

You little devil you.

Yes, yes...

that's me.

And this grandmother

is a rascal.

Yes, I am quite a wild girl.

With a hard head.

Yes, my head is pretty hard.

What's your

husband's name again?

Theyll bring some tea, Mola.

Put your head there.

-My neck.

-Your neck is hurting.

Wait, Ill help you.

Is it better now?

Her neck hurts.

Maybe she has a stiff neck.

Two things that

stand out to me; She

has become thinner

and more sensitive.

We have been on

the road for two days.

She flew from Lhasa

to Nepal by herself.

She's a 100-year-old woman,

its too much for her.

Mola is back again.

You're back in Switzerland.

Youre old, use the stick.

Mola, she says its yours.

-Ah, she says its mine.

-Yes.

Do you want it?

Cold.

Its cold.

Finality is the one phenomenon

all conditioned beings share.

Mountains,

forests and creatures

are all equal in their finality.

With each and every breath

all creatures race

towards inevitable death.

This certainty should

not darken your spirit

but help overcome obstacles.

Incomparable Lama,

to you I pray.

In this life, in the next and in

the intermediate

state after death.

Hold me with your compassion,

grant

me your blessings unceasingly.

My body, my possessions

and all my virtuous qualities.

All this,

I offer unreservedly to

all beings who have

been my mother.

May I be of great

use for all beings!

There is an elderly home nearby.

And yesterday we

got a phone call.

And a room has become available.

And they asked me

if we want to take it.

The house is very close to us.

In the daytime we come to your

house, have tea and be together.

At night, it has a night watch.

At night I have big problems.

When I have to get up,

I can't sleep anymore.

Thats why its better there. Do

you have any problems with that?

Its not easy when

I think of it that way.

Do you trust us,

that we try our best?

Yes.

Yes, of course I believe you.

Are you sad then?

I think not.

If I don't like it or I get sad

I can come home again, right?

Yes, then you say, I don't

want to stay bring me back.

It is very good

that you trust us.

You trust us right?

Oh hello.

Have a great day.

Mola... look at me.

Can you look at me?

Can you quickly stand up

so I can adjust your dress?

Help me a little bit.

My shinbone hurts.

It hurts?

It feels weird.

Mola,

where do you think you are?

-I dont know.

-You dont know?

Does it feel you are at home?

It feels like home

because you are here.

Thats true. Doesnt

matter where.

It doesnt matter.

You both are here...

and doing all the work,

so it feels like home.

You dont feel sad staying here?

As long as Im with the

both of you I dont feel sad.

Thanks for letting me know the

box arrived. I

feel very relieved.

Yes sister,

I knew you were worried.

Mola reached Tibet

with great difficulty,

and you had also

a very hard time.

If the ashes hadnt arrived,

it would have

been tragic,

so I kept two spoons full.

Well take her ashes

to Nepal and make tsa tsa...

and have the

traditional ceremony

performed. This is

what I have in mind.