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The Dalai Lama: Scientist (2019) movie poster

Characters & Themes

The Dalai Lama: Scientist (2019) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2019 · 94 min · English
Echo score 75
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Directed by
Dawn Gifford Engle
Starring
Richard Davidson, The Dalai Lama, Aaron Beck, Amy Cohen Varela, Dan Goleman, David Bohm
Budget
$1M

This film follows the Dalai Lama's fascinating journey, exploring his unique perspective as a spiritual leader and his unexpected interest in science and technology. Through rare archival footage, the documentary reveals his lifelong pursuit of discovery and innovation. It offers a revealing look at this influential figure and the significant impact his insights have had globally.

On this page (10)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (3)
  3. 3 Character relationship map
  4. 4 Where & when it takes place
  5. 5 Themes & meaning (3)
  6. 6 Character & meaning questions
  7. 7 Movie threads
  8. 8 Movies like The Dalai Lama: Scientist
  9. 9 Categories
  10. 10 Every angle
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3 main characters · contains spoilers

The Dalai Lama: Scientist Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of The Dalai Lama: Scientist (2019), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • The Dalai Lama

    The Dalai Lama is depicted as a curious and resilient figure, whose lifelong dedication to understanding science forms the backbone of his spiritual teachings. He showcases a harmonious blend of wisdom and inquiry, making profound connections between spirituality and scientific thought.

    • 🧘‍♂️ Spiritual Leader
    • 🕊️ Advocate for Peace
  • David Bohm

    David Bohm is presented as a mentor to the Dalai Lama, engaging him in deep discussions surrounding quantum physics and consciousness. His influence significantly shapes the Dalai Lama's understanding of the scientific worldview, enhancing the philosophical dialogue between science and spirituality.

    • 🔭 Physicist
    • 🤝 Collaborator
  • Francisco Varela

    played by Amy Cohen Varela

    Francisco Varela is a notable figure in the realm of neuroscience, whose partnership with the Dalai Lama opens new avenues for exploring the intersection of cognitive science and spirituality. His intellectual camaraderie highlights the transformative potential of collaborative research.

    • 🧬 Neuroscientist
    • 🔍 Innovator

Last updated: October 23, 2026 at 21:38

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3 characters · 2 connections · contains spoilers

The Dalai Lama: Scientist Character Relationship Map

Who is connected to whom in The Dalai Lama: Scientist: family, love, friendships, rivalries and hidden ties, colour-coded. Pick a character to see their side of the story, or a connection to see what brings two characters together.

TDThe Dalai LamaDBDavid BohmFVFranciscoVarelaAmy Cohen Varela

Last updated: October 23, 2026 at 21:38

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Setting

Where and When Does The Dalai Lama: Scientist Take Place?

The setting of The Dalai Lama: Scientist (2019): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

20th Century

The 20th century was a period marked by significant political upheaval and scientific advancements. The Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1950 drastically changed the Dalai Lama's life, leading to his exile and the subsequent quest for knowledge and understanding through scientific discourse.

Location

Tibet, Peking

Tibet is a region known for its breathtaking landscapes and profound spiritual heritage, often associated with the Dalai Lama and Tibetan Buddhism. Peking, the historical capital of China, represents a juxtaposition of ancient culture and modern advancements, which becomes significant as the Dalai Lama engages with technology and science there.

  • 🏔️ Tibet
  • 🌆 Peking

Last updated: October 23, 2026 at 21:38

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3 major themes

The Dalai Lama: Scientist Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is The Dalai Lama: Scientist (2019) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Science & Technology

    The documentary explores the Dalai Lama's deep fascination with science and technology, illustrating how these realms have influenced his spiritual practices and worldview. His engagement with scientists has fostered a unique dialogue bridging modern science and ancient wisdom.

  • Resilience

    The theme of resilience permeates the narrative as it recounts the Dalai Lama's journey from losing his own country to establishing a vibrant refugee community. It showcases his ability to adapt and contribute meaningfully to society despite significant challenges.

  • Consciousness

    The concept of consciousness is a pivotal theme, as the Dalai Lama's dialogues with neuroscientists and physicists push the boundaries of understanding what it means to be aware. This theme underlines the interconnectedness of science, spirituality, and human experience.

Last updated: October 23, 2026 at 21:38

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Character & theme questions

The Dalai Lama: Scientist Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about The Dalai Lama: Scientist (2019): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is the Dalai Lama originally from?

The Dalai Lama is originally from Tibet, a region known for its breathtaking landscapes and profound spiritual heritage. Tibet is central to his identity as a spiritual leader and shapes the narrative of his life story in the documentary.

  • dalai lama
  • tibet
  • origin
  • spiritual leader
Q2

What is the significance of Peking in the documentary?

Peking represents a juxtaposition of ancient culture and modern advancements, becoming significant as the Dalai Lama engages with technology and science there. It serves as a symbol of how traditional wisdom meets modern discovery in his journey.

  • peking
  • beijing
  • china
  • science
  • technology
Q3

What historical event led to the Dalai Lama's exile?

The Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1950 drastically changed the Dalai Lama's life, leading to his exile. This pivotal event frames his subsequent quest for knowledge and his engagement with scientific discourse throughout the 20th century.

  • exile
  • 1950
  • china invasion
  • tibet
  • chinese occupation
Q4

How does the film portray the connection between science and spirituality?

The documentary explores the Dalai Lama's deep fascination with science and technology, showing how these realms have influenced his spiritual practices and worldview. His engagement with scientists has fostered a unique dialogue bridging modern science and ancient Buddhist wisdom.

  • science
  • spirituality
  • dialogue
  • technology
  • buddhism
  • bridge
Q5

How does the documentary explore the theme of consciousness?

The concept of consciousness is a pivotal theme, as the Dalai Lama's dialogues with neuroscientists and physicists push the boundaries of understanding awareness. This theme underlines the interconnectedness of science, spirituality, and human experience.

  • consciousness
  • neuroscience
  • physics
  • awareness
  • mind
Q6

What does resilience mean in the context of the Dalai Lama's journey?

The theme of resilience permeates the narrative as it recounts the Dalai Lama's journey from losing his homeland to establishing a vibrant refugee community. It showcases his ability to adapt and contribute meaningfully to society despite significant personal and political challenges.

  • resilience
  • exile
  • refugee
  • adaptation
  • overcoming
Q7

Who is David Bohm and what is his relationship with the Dalai Lama?

David Bohm is presented as a mentor to the Dalai Lama, engaging him in deep discussions surrounding quantum physics and consciousness. His influence significantly shaped the Dalai Lama's understanding of the scientific worldview, enhancing the philosophical dialogue between science and spirituality.

  • david bohm
  • mentor
  • quantum physics
  • consciousness
  • physicist
Q8

Who is Francisco Varela and what role does he play in the documentary?

Francisco Varela is a notable neuroscientist whose partnership with the Dalai Lama opened new avenues for exploring the intersection of cognitive science and spirituality. His intellectual camaraderie with the Dalai Lama highlights the transformative potential of collaborative research between science and Buddhism.

  • francisco varela
  • neuroscience
  • cognitive science
  • collaboration
  • buddhism
Q9

Why is the Dalai Lama depicted as a scientist in the film?

The Dalai Lama is depicted as a curious and resilient figure whose lifelong dedication to understanding science forms the backbone of his spiritual teachings. He demonstrates a harmonious blend of wisdom and inquiry, making profound connections between spirituality and scientific thought.

  • scientist
  • curiosity
  • inquiry
  • teachings
  • learning
Q10

What time period does the documentary cover?

The documentary spans the 20th century, beginning with the Chinese invasion of Tibet in 1950 and following the Dalai Lama's lifelong pursuit of knowledge through scientific discourse. The narrative traces his journey from exile through his engagements with leading scientists.

  • 20th century
  • timeline
  • historical
  • exile
  • journey
Q11

What global impact does the Dalai Lama have according to the film?

The documentary highlights the significant impact the Dalai Lama's insights have had globally, particularly through his dialogues with scientists. His work bridging spirituality and science has influenced conversations in neuroscience, physics, and consciousness studies worldwide.

  • global impact
  • influence
  • worldwide
  • dialogue
  • science

Movie threads

More Movies Like The Dalai Lama: Scientist, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes The Dalai Lama: Scientist tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Intellectual Biographies of Visionary Thinkers like in The Dalai Lama: Scientist

Documentaries exploring the curious minds and profound impacts of influential global figures. Discover movies like The Dalai Lama: Scientist that profile influential thinkers, scientists, and spiritual leaders. These documentaries share a curious, hopeful tone and explore how one person's lifelong journey of inquiry can have a global impact. If you liked learning about the Dalai Lama's unique perspective, you'll find similar inspiring stories here.

  • inspiring
  • educational
  • thoughtful
  • reflective
  • curious
  • resilient
  • Tone: hopeful, reflective, inspiring
  • Pacing: steady, chronological
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread typically follow a linear biographical path, charting the subject's key life events, intellectual evolutions, and encounters. The central conflict often involves overcoming adversity—be it political, social, or intellectual—through persistent curiosity and a commitment to dialogue, culminating in a narrative of meaningful contribution.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their shared focus on a single remarkable individual, a tone of hopeful intellectualism, and a steady, reflective pacing that allows for deep engagement with complex ideas. They create a similar thoughtful and inspiring mood.

Movies about Spirituality and Science like The Dalai Lama: Scientist

Stories that explore the surprising connections and dialogues between faith and empirical inquiry. Find films similar to The Dalai Lama: Scientist that explore the dialogue between science and spirituality. These documentaries and dramas are thoughtful and intellectual, examining consciousness, cosmology, and the human experience from multiple viewpoints. If you enjoyed the film's blend of wisdom and inquiry, explore this thread.

  • intellectual
  • thoughtful
  • curious
  • inspiring
  • educational
  • mind-expanding
  • Tone: thoughtful, hopeful, intellectual
  • Pacing: steady, exploratory
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a journey of discovery, where characters or the film itself investigates the common ground between empirical evidence and spiritual belief. Conflict arises from paradigm clashes, but resolution is found through dialogue and a shared pursuit of deeper truth, leading to an enlightened, hopeful conclusion.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here based on their core thematic focus on reconciling science with spirituality or other philosophical systems. They share a moderate complexity in presenting ideas, a thoughtful mood, and an overall tone that is intellectually stimulating rather than dogmatic.

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Categories

Movie Lists Featuring The Dalai Lama: Scientist

The Dalai Lama: Scientist appears in these hand-built movie categories. Each one groups movies by a specific mood, theme or story type, with their plot summaries and endings explained.

View all movie categories

Every angle

The Dalai Lama: Scientist (2019) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about The Dalai Lama: Scientist in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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