Is Locke the “Lost” version of the Dali Lama?
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By BadTempor
- Is Locke the “Lost” version of the Dali Lama?
- Created: May 9, 2008
- Last updated: Aug 14, 2008
- After episode: 4.11: Cabin Fever
- Status: Current
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The “others” keep searching, possibly for the reincarnation of their spiritual leader—their own version of the Dali Lama.
— BadTempor
Richard Alpert came to visit a young Locke, and said that he was “special.” This is a very interesting scene. Do you know how they choose the new Dali Lama in Buddhism? Others please correct inaccuracies as you see fit, but the basics of this I know to be accurate: After the Dali Lama dies, the high priests search for years for the reincarnation of his life force. They will receive many calls from people who believe they have tracked down the child that embodies the Lama’s life force. As a test, the lay out a few objects that belonged to the previous incarnations of the Dali Lama going back hundreds of years, mixed with many, many other objects of no particular importance and ask the child to choose what objects are “his.” If he picks the right objects out of the pile of things, he proves himself to be the reincarnation of holy Lama’s spirit. They then take him away and train him to fulfill his destiny as their leader.
This scene was pretty much the same as that. I think Richard Alpert, and the “others” are trying to find their new leader. Is it Ben? Is it Locke? The “others” keep searching, possibly for the reincarnation of their spiritual leader—their own version of the Dali Lama. I think Jacob was the last one, and he is dead now. So the others are trying to find his replacement. So I think Locke’s search for Jacob is really the search for himself. his true destiny.
Key characters
| Short Name | Full Name | Episodes | Theories |
|---|---|---|---|
| John | John Locke | 3.3, 2.17, 1.4, 1.19, 3.13, 3.19, 4.11, & 3” href=”/episodes/theres-no-place-home-parts-2-3/”>4.13 | 1231 |
Key episodes
| # | Title | Aired | Central character | Theories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.11 | Cabin Fever | 5-8-2008 | John | 215 |
Key locations
| Theme | Relevant Episodes | Theories |
|---|---|---|
| Jacob’s Cabin | 4.1, 3.20 | 163 |
Oh— one addition. This is also why they would take Walt. He was also a “special” child. But they gave him back once they realized he wasn’t “the one.”
I was thinking maybe the comic book was supposed to be the correct choice. I think Hurley would hve picked the comic if he was the one tested. We see Walt with the comic in the first few episodes, but we see later that Hurley was the one who brought it on the plane.
I like the idea. It makes me think that Ben and John might be along the same age and maybe the dharma people are searching lots of people, they find that he is someone special but not the one they are looking for right now
My thoughts exactly, BadTempor. +1
Also, could be a reason the others take all the children… to test them to see if they are the new Jacob? Who knows? Nice observation about how the new Dali Lama is chosen. This is why I love LOST.
I have learned more about history, physics, philosphy and religion watching this show, than at any other point in my life.
I already posted this. This is the only thing I’ve ever posted I think and now you stole my thunder… boo. It’s all good though. Nice thinking.
Bad Tempor, Very nice analogy! Love the creativity and thought process. +1
It definitely would appear based on Alpert’s statements, that the school he was referring to, where only special children were admitted, might lend itself nicely to your theory.
However, I do wonder if Locke is the only one on “the island” with special abilities who might be considered as “the chosen one”. I realize we haven’t seen anyone else yet, but it could turn out to be somebody else, in the long run.
kateismywife: Sorry!! I got so excited when I made the connection I hadn’t checked for a previous post on it. Being Buddhist myself, it was such a clear statement to me when Alpert administered that test that I couldn’t wait to put it online.