Compassion in Action: a Journey with Buddha’s Lost Children

This essay delves into the remarkable documentary directed by Mark Verkerk in 2006, titled Buddha’s Lost Children (Buddha Elveszett Gyermekei). This film portrays the extraordinary life and mission of Abbot Khru Bah Neua Chai Kositto, a Buddhist monk who has dedicated himself to the orphaned and abandoned children from impoverished and troubled families in remote villages of Northern Thailand. Khru Bah, once a Thai boxer, later transformed into a Buddhist monk, exemplifying how Buddhism and compassion can be translated into tangible, life-changing action.

Rethinking Buddhism

Before immersing myself in the documentary, my expectations were shaped by preconceived notions of Buddhism, often associated with passive practices: renouncing materialistic pursuits, engaging in abstract contemplation, and maintaining a serene detachment from worldly issues. However, as the film unfolded, it introduced me to a dynamic and active interpretation of Buddhism, one that confronts real-life challenges head-on. Khru Bah embodies the Buddhist ideal of infinite compassion and unconditional love, venturing beyond the safe confines of his monastery into areas fraught with danger, to address the difficulties faced by the local population.

The documentary offers a poignant glimpse into the harsh realities of life in the border regions between Myanmar and Thailand, known as the Golden Triangle, notorious for its long history of drug trafficking. These regions have become isolated and impoverished due to such issues. Khru Bah, alongside a dedicated nun named Khun Ead, takes young children from problematic families in nearby villages into The Golden Horse Monastery, rescuing them from lives marred by poverty and potential drug abuse. Parents often send their children to this monastery because they lack the means to provide basic sustenance.

Empowering Through Education

Khru Bah's mission extends beyond mere rescue; he strives to equip these children with essential life skills. His philosophy, "I want to teach people the basic skills of living – teach them that life isn’t just a matter of chance. It’s a matter of choice. I see myself as a distributor of knowledge," epitomizes his commitment to empowering the children. These young novices, often lacking even basic hygiene knowledge, learn under Khru Bah’s and Khun Ead’s guidance how to care for themselves, practice Buddhism, respect and support one another, and build resilience through boxing and other disciplines. Life lessons are imparted through work, travel, and play, instilling hard work and dignity. A compelling scene at 38:40 minutes depicts a horse injured during travel, prompting Khru Bah to halt their journey and assign tasks to care for the animal, teaching the children the value of perseverance and the interconnectedness of humans and animals.

Facing Adversity

The treacherous journeys in and around the Golden Triangle present significant challenges, not only for the small children but also for the monks. The children’s daily routine is rigorous, starting at 2:00 AM with exercise until 3:30 AM, followed by practices and chores throughout the day. These demands are tough even for adults, yet Khru Bah and his young novices face numerous adversities during their treks. At 31:30 minutes, a novice is seen crying due to the harsh conditions and the separation from home and family. This scene sparked questions in my mind: “How can these young children live as monks in such difficult, uncomfortable, and dangerous circumstances, far from their parents?” Western audiences might view this lifestyle as incompatible with civil society values and human rights norms. However, within the context of Asian and Theravada Buddhist values, these practices serve a vital role. Despite the initial sadness this scene evoked in me, it also highlighted the profound suffering experienced by people in different parts of the world, reminding us of the pervasive poverty that documentaries like Buddha’s Lost Children bring to light.

From an outsider's perspective, the conditions within the monastery may appear severe, inappropriate, or even harsh. Nevertheless, they prepare these abandoned children for the real world, with its genuine demands and challenges. By the end of the film, it becomes evident that life under Khru Bah’s guidance is preferable to their previous circumstances. As Khun Ead states at 47:00 minutes, remaining in the village would deprive these children of education and proper nurturing. I concur with this sentiment, as growing up in a community plagued by drug addiction would unlikely instill the right values or produce well-rounded individuals.

Transformative Impact

In addition to caring for the village’s children, Khru Bah travels extensively on horseback with his young novices, promoting education, healthcare, and Buddhist teachings to adults suffering from drug addiction. The documentary also chronicles the transformative journeys of three of Khru Bah’s novices: Suk, Pan Saen, and Boontam, over the course of a year, showcasing their evolution from abandoned boys to self-assured and mature individuals.

The film opens with Suk, an orphaned boy who initially only communicated with animals. Khun Ead recounts how Suk was silent upon arrival, yet Khru Bah’s persistent love and care gradually opened him up. By year’s end, Suk blossoms into a smiling, conversational young boy, excelling in meditation, reading, horseback riding, and boxing. The monastery becomes his permanent home, and he aspires to become a monk.

Pae Saen, the second boy, was discovered by Khru Bah during a trip to a distant village to restore an old temple. Pae Saen faced speech and learning difficulties due to a childhood fall. The film captures his gradual transformation into a confident young novice.

Boontam, the third boy, suffered from weak health and legs due to malnutrition. His parents, landless field workers, struggled to provide for him. Khru Bah’s intervention, through adequate nutrition and care, helped Boontam regain strength in his legs.

Conclusion

Buddha’s Lost Children is a captivating and inspirational documentary about Khru Bah, a Buddhist monk who welcomes orphaned and abandoned children into his Golden Horse Monastery, teaching them respect, wisdom, boxing, and invaluable life lessons. Khru Bah’s compassion and love for the children are palpable throughout the film. Watching it twice, I found it completely different from my initial expectations. The documentary offers a fresh perspective on Buddhist teachings, demonstrating how they can be applied to address real-world problems and challenges effectively. While the film is inherently about Buddhism, it transcends religious boundaries to focus on creating a better life for those around us by instilling responsibility, dignity, confidence, and an awareness of one’s role in shaping their destiny. Khru Bah provides everyone, regardless of their past, with the opportunity to transform their lives for the better. This is poignantly illustrated when Pae Saen’s mother decides to send her son to the monastery due to her inability to feed him, recognizing Khru Bah’s support as his only hope for education and a positive future. Through the examples of Suk, Pae Saen, and Boontam, the film showcases how lives can be transformed within a year through profound love and compassion, even if these elements sometimes manifest in harsh ways. One of the film’s central messages is that individuals do not thrive under lenient love that grants total freedom; they flourish when treated with respect, given responsibilities, and expected to behave with maturity.

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