Private Project

I take refuge (Saranam Gacchami)

A visionary Buddhist Monk, hailing from the Himalayan foothills of Nepal, leads one of the Bay Area's largest Tibetan Monasteries, an invaluable sanctuary for Tibetan culture and community in diaspora. He wears many hats at the monastery—prayer leader, spiritual guide, gardener, and Halloween party planner! Now, nearing retirement, he hopes to find a worthy successor to carry forward the Monastery's legacy.

At 12, Pasang 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 deep-seated desire to make a difference beyond his spiritual path, a commitment that would shape his life's work in cultural preservation.

In 1988, Donyo had the opportunity to travel to the United States with a group of fellow monks invited by the Grateful Dead, who were fascinated by the monks' unique chanting sound. This trip and subsequent travels exposed him to the growing Tibetan refugee community in the United States, particularly in East Bay cities. He recognized the need for a haven and cultural hub for his fellow Tibetans, so Donyo founded the Gyuto Monastery. Over the years, the monastery has become the largest Tibetan monastery in the Bay Area, serving as a second home for many Tibetans and nurturing their collective heritage.

  • Priyanka Suryaneni
    Director
  • Priyanka Suryaneni
    Producer
  • Priyanka Suryaneni
    Cinematography
  • Erika Staud
    Cinematography
  • Pranita Pandurangi
    Original Music
  • Kabeer SIgh
    Original Music
  • Prakshi Mallik
    Editor
  • Hena Ashraf
    Editor
  • Project Title (Original Language):
    Saranam Gacchami (I Take Refuge)
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Genres:
    verite
  • Runtime:
    18 minutes 45 seconds
  • Completion Date:
    December 31, 2023
  • Production Budget:
    20,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States
  • Language:
    English, Tibetan
  • Shooting Format:
    Full HD
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
  • Digital Cinema Package:
    Unavailable
  • East Bay Premiere
    RIchmond
    United States
    May 12, 2024
    Community Screening
Director Biography - Priyanka Suryaneni

​​Priyanka Suryaneni, a Bay Area-based media entrepreneur, documentarian, and visual storyteller from India, is a multi-talented producer with a wealth of experience across various platforms. She has seamlessly worked in five languages: English, Hindi, Telugu, Kannada, and Punjabi, and her journey in the film industry began as an Assistant Director for renowned production houses like Yash Raj Films in Bollywood, India. Her curiosity, love for exploration, and commitment to social justice drive her to spotlight poignant personal stories from underrepresented communities through innovative storytelling and unique perspectives.

Following her stint in Bollywood, Priyanka established and led Pensar Creations, where she crafted over 50 corporate/ad films for national and regional brands. This work led her to producing a compelling short documentary series for prominent news channels, including TV 9 and Teja News. Priyanka's debut short fiction film also garnered national recognition when it was featured on the NDTV network.

Passionate about shining a light on critical issues, Priyanka has produced short documentaries that tackled various social issues, such as documenting Asia's largest Tribal Festival for the Telangana State Government and advocating for affordable drugs in third-world countries. She also spearheaded impactful video and digital campaigns to support low-income students through scholarship programs.

In 2019, Priyanka's dedication to storytelling led her to the USC Annenberg School of Journalism, where she specialized in Documentary Filmmaking and Social Justice Reporting. After graduating she transitioned into narrative or verite-style documentary filmmaking. Her commitment earned her accolades, including selection as an LA Press Club Fellow and participation in the New York Times Institute. A-Doc commissioned her to produce a micro-documentary for the Asian American Stories of Resilience and Beyond series.

Today, Priyanka is a dedicated freelancer and independent documentary filmmaker, passionately bringing attention to significant stories and amplifying underrepresented voices. Her recent inclusion in the BAVC Connect Mentee, as well as the For Us By Us Film Incubator program (supported by Filmmakers Collaborative and Re-present Media), underscores her unwavering commitment to her craft. Priyanka's journey is a testament to her passion, dedication, and relentless pursuit of powerful storytelling.

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Director Statement

Images of meditation and renunciation often come to mind when thinking of spirituality and Buddhist monks. But meeting Thupten Donyo, the founder of the Bay Area's largest monastery, offered me a different perspective. Here was a monk who seamlessly balanced spiritual life with the practical demands of running a community center—driving, managing communications, handling administration, and even fixing things with his own hands. This practical, grounded approach to spirituality first drew me to this project, and I became captivated by Donyo's warm, welcoming presence.

This project holds deep personal significance for me. As a recent immigrant to the Bay Area from India, I arrived just before the pandemic, navigating the challenges of a new country while beginning my own journey into Buddhism. Amid the isolation and upheaval, the Gyuto Monastery became my anchor. It was more than just a place; it became a community that offered me a sense of belonging.

The Tibetan community, a micro-minority, faces unique struggles, with much of their history and culture overlooked by the broader public. In an era where visibility matters, their displacement from their homeland and the ongoing challenges they face as a diaspora are largely invisible. A whole generation has grown up without knowing Tibet's story—its history of displacement, its spiritual depth, and the resilience of its people. This made me feel a deep urgency to tell this story.

In meeting Thupten Donyo and hearing his inspiring story, I found the lens through which I wanted to approach this documentary. Over a year, I have documented life at Gyuto, filming 22 days to create an intimate portrait of Donyo and this resilient community. This project isn't just about the monastery or Donyo; it's about preserving a story that risks fading into obscurity. By sharing their story, I hope to illuminate the resilience and dignity of the Tibetan people and the ongoing reality of their displacement so that their struggle—and their hope—is not forgotten.