“Ever wonder who the Dalai Lama is? If you want to know, see “Kundun.”
The Dalai Lama is the ruler of Tibet. Tibetans believe that he is the reincarnation of their god, but today they are not allowed to practice their religion, Buddhism, or even to have a picture of the Dalai Lama. Communist China controls Tibet and the Dalai Lama is seen as a threat, so he lives in exile. How did this happen? To understand what the people of Tibet are going through, you must first learn what happened in the past.
In “Kundun,” film director Martin Scor-sese chronicles the Dalai Lama’s life up to Tibet’s loss of independence to China. The movie begins simply enough. In 1933, the previous Dalai Lama dies. Buddhist monks then begin searching for the next reincarnation of Tibet’s ruler. Soon the monk comes across a young child who shows signs that prove he’s the Dalai Lama. After the evidence is seen, he is taken to his new home, where he is to rule Tibet. The story continues with the child growing up, learning all the responsibilities he is to take on as the ruler of Tibet. When he becomes a teenager, he must deal with the matter of China wanting control over Tibet.
At first the Dalai Lama tries to negotiate with the leader of China, but to no avail. He eventually discovers that his life is in danger and, with a heavy heart, flees Tibet to neighboring India.
Today Tibetans are forbidden to practice Buddhism and the Dalai Lama—now an old man—is still living in India. Many have protested the way China rules Tibet. The film ends with a simple, clear message: the Dalai Lama hopes to soon return to Tibet.”
