For how the situation plays out in human terms in a society that believes in reincarnation -- the way Westerners believe in gravity -- is fascinating. It is a subject that is poised to have serious political repercussions with the Chinese government and Tibetans in exile likely to clash over the identity of the next reincarnated Dalai Lama.
Given the intensity of Zopa's devotion to Geshe-la, his interaction with the child, who comes to call the monk Big Uncle, is joyous and touching. Even more touching, though hardly joyous, is the dilemma of the boy's parents, who have to decide whether to basically give him up for adoption, reincarnation or not, to the world of Buddhist monasteries.
