Unmistaken Child
Sunday 20 March at 6.15 pm
At Labia on Orange
| A Tibetan monk’s search for the reincarnation of his beloved teacher. Filmed on location in Nepal and India. 2008 Sunday 20 March at 6.15 pm At Labia on Orange Book with Labia at 021 424 5927 Ticket R30 Running time 104 minutes Introduced by renowned Buddhist teacher Rob Nairn* | |||
| The Buddhist concept of reincarnation, while both mysterious and enchanting, is hard for most westerners to grasp. Unmistaken Child follows the four-year search for the reincarnation of Lama Konchog, a world-renowned Tibetan master who passed away in 2001 at age 84. The Dalai Lama charges the deceased monk’s devoted disciple, Tenzin Zopa (who had been in his service since the age of seven), to search for his master’s reincarnation. Tenzin sets off on this unforgettable quest on foot, mule and even helicopter, through breathtaking landscapes and remote traditional Tibetan villages. Along the way, Tenzin listens to stories about young children with special characteristics, and performs rarely seen ritualistic tests designed to determine the likelihood of reincarnation. He eventually presents the child he believes to be his reincarnated master to the Dalai Lama so that he can make the final decision. | |||
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BackgroundThe film was created, directed, and written by Israeli filmmaker Nati Baratz. He and his wife had attended a lecture given by Tenzin Zopa, who at the end asked everyone to pray for the location of the reincarnation of Geshe Lama Konchog, his recently deceased teacher."Tenzin really touched me in a profound way,” says Baratz. “He has a huge heart, and he’s very smart. And when I heard that he’s looking for the reincarnation of his master, I thought this is a movie I must make." | |||
*The Story about Intentional ReincarnationThe beginning . . . and a wonderful international project: Karmapa 900 (South Africa 14-25 November) “Nine hundred years ago, amidst the snow-capped peaks of eastern Tibet, there was born a spiritual master whose compassion for beings would shape the future of Buddhism in Tibet. This great being was the First Karmapa, Dusum Khyenpa, who instituted the practice of intentionally reincarnating in a way that disciples could recognize—a practice that forms the backbone of Tibetan Buddhism as we know it today.” The Karmapas are so powerful that the spiritual force of their activity continues to be felt long after they pass away, and it manifests in a variety of forms. One such manifestation is an ancient statue of Dusum Khyenpa which is so highly charged that it has been heard to speak on three separate occasions. Such an object is classified as a relic and is said to possess the power to help and bless those who have contact with it.Karmapa 900 is an international project celebrating 900 years of the Karmapas, and for the first time in history Africa will be part of such a celebration. This is seen as a highly auspicious and significant event which can have a powerful beneficial impact on our spiritual welfare and practice. In addition it will bring great blessing to our country and its people – regardless of their religious or philosophical outlook. For more background information, please visit: http://www.karmapa900.org/ | |||