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Sometimes, bad decisions can have tragic repercussions. For A-Peng, a young man recently arriving in the United States from China and not speaking a word of English, a poor choice of friends led to a lengthy prison sentence. Unable to cope with this shocking turn of events, he aims to end his life. And yet, a fateful intervention puts Judy, a volunteer from Tzu Chi USA in his path. This dramatic film presents the true story of a friendship that spans twenty years and continues, revealing how Buddhist wisdom can lead to inner transformation, bringing peace and solace to even the most troubled heart.

From the foothills of the Himalaya in Nepal to Bodh Gaya in India, where the Buddha attained enlightenment, this documentary takes us on a vivid journey. We trace the path of compassion in action, as practiced by Karuna-Shechen, a non-profit co-founded by Buddhist monk Matthieu Ricard, and Tibetan Buddhist Master Shechen Rabjam Rinpoche. As we meet several women who share their stories of lives transformed through the organization's assistance, we discover how compassionate aid must intertwine with wisdom, which in Matthieu's view, means supporting women's empowerment and advocating voluntary simplicity.