PARAGAMI
To The Other Shore

Stories of wisdom, resilience, and spiritual courage across Southeast Asia

A documentary and non-profit platform amplifying the voices of female and LGBTQI Buddhist monastics

through film, education, and free community resources.

Rooted in compassion. Offered freely. Made to inspire.

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TRAILER

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THE DOCUMENTARY

Paragami – To the Other Shore

A long feature contemplative documentary film by Elisa Cucinelli

Filmed in Thailand, Cambodia, and Sri Lanka, Paragami – To the Other Shore follows the spiritual journeys of four extraordinary monastics:

Ven. Saccadharani, a former Christian from the UK seeking full ordination.

Ajahn Tritrinn, a Thai transgender Mae Chi who created an LGBTQI-inclusive monastery.

Bhikkhuni Jutindhara, returning to Cambodia to establish the first Bikkhuni Monastery and training center.

Ajahn Ben, a respected Thai teacher opening new meditation paths for women internationally.

Through immersive soundscapes, textured visuals, and meditative pacing, the film invites viewers into the sensory rhythms of monastic life, the bells, chants, sweeping, alms rounds, the silence of dawn, revealing the profound beauty and resilience of women who live outside gender norms.

This is not a journalistic investigation.
It is a poetic, contemplative, deeply human film, hoping to inspire.

A meditation. A meeting. A bridge between worlds.

  • Ven. Saccadharani and Ven. Ariyamangala are listening to Ven. Vijithananda singing the ordination chant at Sakyadhita Monastery in Sri Lanka

  • Ayya Kamala rehearse the chants for the Bikkhuni ordination in Sri Lanka

  • Ajahn Tritrinn has a drink by sunset after spending the day planting trees in Supanbhuri Province

  • Close up on foot during meditation at Tippayasathandhamma Monastery

  • Walking meditation at Tippayasathandhamma Monastery

  • Pali chant for the Bikkhuni Ordination

  • Ajahn Mae Chee Ben in Suan Mokkh Monastery

  • Meditation hall at Suan Mokkh monastery

  • Ayya Jutindhara at International Meditation Center, Cambodia

  • Ven. Saccadharani meditating on Koh Yo, southern Thailand

  • Close up on the hands of Ven. Saccadharani waiting to be ordained in Sakyadhita Monastery, Sri Lanka

  • Ven. Ariyamangala waiting by the bus station in Anudharapura, Sri Lanka

  • Morning chants at Paiboonpoonsuk Monastery, Northern Thailand

  • Morning Alms round at Songdhammakalyani Monastery. A kid just offered food, knealing down he is receiving blessings from the Bikkhunis.

  • Close up on alms bowl from a Mae Chee in Paiboonpoonsuk Monastery

  • Ven. Saccadharani is preparing her bowl after eating, washing and drying it.

  • Ayya Jutindhara with Upasaka in a monastery in Mondulkiri Province, Cam

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  • Ayya Vijithananda from Sakyadhita Monastery is talking about Bikkhuni history as part of the Bikkhuni training

  • Supporters of Ajahn Tritrinn planting Trees in the future meditation center in Supanbhuri

  • Ajahn Tritrinn meditating in the forest closeby Paiboonpoonsuk Monastery

  • Ajahn Ben doing walking meditation at Wat Pa Nong Pai in Issan province