Review of Kundun (1997) by D. M — 11 Oct 2013

"Kundun" is a Martin Scorsese film about the life of the 14th Dalai Lama. Monks go to a small village on the outskirts of Tibet to find the boy. His passes all the tests that signify he is the reincarnated Dalai Lama. The child is immediately taken from his family and begins training and education to become the great the great religious leader.

The Chinese invasions of Tibet made the young Dalai Lama mature quickly. The young man had many reservations. Was he too young to rule? Why could he not just be a normal teenager? What if he was not the 14th Dalai Lama? All these questions were understandable for a young man with such heavy responsibilities. Everyone looked to the young man for answers. He could not fight Chairman Mao. Buddhists are a peaceful people. They are taught to love and care for all living things. The Dalai Lama was forced to go to India to escape from the war that was tearing his country apart.

The film is filled with examples of Buddhist traditions and values that shed light on this world religion. On a visit to see his family, The young Dalai Lama mentioned his teeth were in a cabinet. After it was unlocked a set of dentures wrapped in cloth was pulled out. A monk mentioned the teeth belonged to the thirteenth Dalai Lama. This act solidified the fact the boy was the chosen one.

When young child is first taken away from his family, there is a scene in the film where the young boy laughs as he watches a mouse drink from a bowl. No one heard him. The monks were all in a meditative trance. This is a common practice by Buddhist monks. There are also many scenes that show rituals, prayers, and offerings to the monks. "Kundun" shows the world about a religion many westerners do not see. The film portrayed Buddhist as a peaceful and loving group of people beautifully.