Review of Kundun (1997) by Tom G — 23 Feb 2008

Kundun is a movie that tells the story of the 14th Dalai Lama. The story begins with a monk searching for the reincarnation if the 13th Dalai Lama. The monk finds the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama in 1937 when the boy, Kundun, is only two years old. The boy proves his reincarnation by showing a group of men things that he said were his. The objects belonged to the 13 Daila Lama, and the men were very happy to see Kundun choose the correct objects. The boy remains with his family for another two years, and then at the age of four he and his family are taken by the monks to be trained to become the 14th Dalai Lama. The movie shows Kundun growing up and learning about the world and his calling in Buddhism. The movie shows Kundun's fears and abilities as a leader throughout his life. Kundun is to become the Dalai Lama once he turns 18, but due to the Chinese invasion or liberation, as the Chinese called it, of Tibet he assumed his post before his 18th birthday.

The movie showed how the 14 Dalai Lama delt with the Chinese coming into his country. The Dalai Lama always possesed an inner peace and a childlike expression on his face that emulated the beliefs of Buddhism and their non-violent ways. He tried to deal with the Chinese by letting them come into his country and appease their demands. Once the Dalai Lama realized that the Chinese were committing atrocities against the non-violent people of Tibet he was deeply saddened. With no army to defend the people, he wrote letters to other leaders of the world to try to save his country. The leaders of the other nation's did not come to help the Tibetan people. Originally, the Dalai Lama was determined to stay in his country. Ultimately, he agreed to exile in India after seeing that he would be assasinated if he did not leave.

This movie relates to world religion in showing how one nations religious beliefs, Tibets, ultimately cost them their country. Their beliefs of non-violence made them the perfect target for China to invade for their land and consume resources. It is sad that a nation of such peaceful people are not left alone to practice their religion and continue their cultural beliefs. Greed and power play a large role in politics. Politics could benefit humanity by embracing some of the beliefs in Buddhism of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path.