My exploration into Buddhism was influenced by an unlikely source: the TV show “King of the Hill.” I often found solace and humor in the adventures of Hank Hill, a propane salesman, his wife Peggy, a substitute teacher, and their awkward son Bobby, as they navigated the changing times in Texas with a blend of humor and traditional values.
One episode, in particular, captivated me. It featured their Laotian neighbors, Kahn and Minh, preparing for a Pimai (Lunar New Year) celebration. The Hills were invited, and to everyone’s surprise, Buddhist monks arrived, searching for the reincarnation of their Lama Sanglug in the neighborhood. They believed the Lama had been reborn nearby and used a traditional test involving the selection of items belonging to the late Lama. In the “relic test,” a child candidate is presented with several items, some of which belonged to the deceased lama and others which did not, to see if the child can identify the items that belonged to the previous incarnation. This process is considered one of the key methods in determining the reincarnation of high lamas and tulkus in Tibetan Buddhism.
The twist came when Bobby, unknowingly, chose Lama Sanglug’s cane, leading the monks to believe he might be the reincarnated Lama. The possibility thrilled Bobby until he realized that becoming a Buddhist monk meant he couldn’t marry, creating tension with his girlfriend, Connie, Kahn’s daughter. In a heartfelt conclusion, Bobby chose Connie, reflected in the Lama’s mirror, over the prospect of being the Lama reincarnate. The monks, debating his choice, eventually let it go.
This episode, one of my favorites, introduced me to the Buddhist practice of testing for reincarnation (in Tibetan Buddhism it is called “Rinpoche Recognition Process” or simply “Tulku Recognition”). I had always known about reincarnation, but seeing it portrayed in this light sparked a deeper curiosity in me. Unlike many traditional religions where the supernatural is a matter of faith, Buddhism seemed to offer a tangible, testable approach to such profound concepts.
As a father of three, I recalled moments when my children spoke of people and events as if recalling memories from a past life. Some details were specific, others vague, but all intriguing. This “King of the Hill” episode, with its unique blend of humor and insight, encouraged me to delve deeper into the concepts of Buddhist reincarnation and the faith as a whole, seeking to understand the mysteries that had begun to weave themselves into my life.