The Monk and the Gun

In 2006, as Bhutan prepares to hold its first democratic election, the Bhutanese government stages a mock election as a training exercise. In the town of Ura, an old lama instructs young monk Tashi to procure some firearms by way of preparation for the impending upheaval. Meanwhile, American gun collector Ron Coleman arrives in the country seeking to acquire an antique rifle. He is driven to Ura by hired guide Benji, where he meets with an elderly man who has the rifle, and agrees to sell it to him. However, when he goes to withdraw cash from a bank for the purchase, Tashi arrives, and the monk gives Tashi the gun as a gift.

When Ron and Benji learn of this, they pursue Tashi and try to convince him to sell them the gun, but he is unwilling to do so. He eventually agrees to trade it in exchange for two AK-47s that Ron arranges to have smuggled into the country from India. Meanwhile, police, informed of Ron’s interest in guns, seek him out for questioning.

Separately, married couple Tshomo and Choephel come into conflict over Choephel’s devotion to one candidate in the election, which has soured his relationship with Tshomo’s mother and drawn his attention away from his daughter Yuphel’s need for an eraser. She is given one by the official hosting the mock election, who tries with limited success to convince the townspeople of the importance of democratization.

Ron and Benji return to Ura, but by the time they arrive, the lama has begun a ceremony to celebrate the beginning of construction of a new stupa using the antique gun. It is revealed that the lama sought it as a symbol of evil to bury in the foundation of the stupa, which he does. The police also arrive and try to detain Ron. However, Benji tells them that Ron brought the AK-47s to donate to the ceremony, a story Tashi endorses. The lama gives him a large phallus as thanks.

Last Updated: August 11, 2025 at 09:30