Unmistaken Child (2009)

Unmistaken Child is a 2008 independent documentary film, which follows a Tibetan Buddhist monk's search for the reincarnation of his beloved teacher, the world-renowned lama (master teacher) Geshe Lama Konchog. The filming, which began in October 2001, spans a time frame of five and a half years. It follows the deceased lama's closest disciple — a modest young monk named Tenzin Zopa, who speaks English well — as he seeks to find the child who is his master's reincarnation.

Because Tenzin is only a humble monk, he questions his ability to accurately find and recognize the reincarnation of an enlightened master. He is daunted by the difficulty of the task, for which he alone seems responsible.

Following a combination of prayer, intuition, and various forms of divination, Tenzin travels to the tiny villages of the remote Tsum Valley on the Nepal–China border, and checks many families and many children. He seeks to find a young boy of the right age who responds emotionally to one of his former master's possessions. Still many questions would remain, and many tests and trials must be met before the existence of a Rinpoche — a reincarnated Tibetan master — could be confirmed. And even beyond the question of the confirmation of a reincarnation is the emotional toll involved in removing a small child from his loving parents and familiar village.

Synopsis

Octobre 2001. Au monastère de Kopan, au Népal, on procède à l'incinération du lama Geshe Konchog, révéré comme un maître spirituel par les bouddhistes tibétains. Au cours de la cérémonie, plusieurs signes - perles réchappées des flammes, trace dans les cendres... - indiquent qu'il n'aurait pas définitivement quitté ce monde. Son fidèle disciple Tenzin Zopa est bouleversé. À son chagrin s'ajoute le poids d'une lourde responsabilité. C'est à lui qu'incombe la mission de trouver l'enfant en qui son maître spirituel s'est réincarné.