Unmistaken Child

Shortly after the death of Geshe Lama Konchog, one of the most revered Tibetan masters of the 20th century, his disciple Tenzin Zopa starts searching for his reincarnation. According to Buddhist teachings, after death we involuntarily reincarnate in another body. But enlightened beings can choose their incarnation, so they can keep guiding their followers and all others to enlightenment. For 700 years the tradition has existed among Tibetans to search for their reincarnated “precious ones.” During the cremation of the monk in the opening of , the signs point to the Tsum Valley, where Tenzin Zopa grew up and met Geshe Lama Konchog. Tenzin doubts himself: does he have what it takes to find his old master? His whole life has been dedicated to listening to the master, and he has done little thinking himself. But finding and demonstrating the reincarnation to the world is a thousand times more important than his own life, so he walks through the valley from village to village in search of a special one-year-old child. Then he finds a boy who reacts very strongly to the possessions of the old master. That broad forehead, those long ears. Could this be him?