Mark

When one of the teachers on my team at ISA, Lisa Verkerk offered me a copy of a documentary her husband made in 2006, I was interested. Mark’s film, Buddha’s Lost Children, is the story of Khru Bah, a Buddhist monk in northern Thailand and his work with orphaned boys. I didn’t know much of that when I met Mark at a dinner party last night; at least not until I watched the film this morning.

Lisa Verkerk

It took no time at all to know that Mark Verkerk possesses a quiet brilliance. It comes through in subtle tones—the poignancy of his comments, the astuteness of his observations, the depth of his experiences. Sharing the warmth and genuine concern for others that Lisa demonstrates in all ways, Mark is a truly gentle man.

At one point, in a typical case of not knowing what I wanted to ask before opening my mouth, I asked him if his “accent” was British or Dutch or something else. His response, “I haven’t an idea, really,” was a gentleman’s way of saying, “What the hell are you talking about?” He then went on to give me some background. His heritage is Dutch (thus the name Verkerk) but he was born in Kenya. His life as a filmmaker has taken him all over the world.

Mark Verkerk and a "novice" in Thailand*

Buddha’s Lost Children is his first theatrical-length film (according to his bio on-line). That being the case, I can only recommend that you look for whatever comes next. Buddha’s Lost Children is beautiful. I mean that literally. Without a tiny bit of knowledge regarding filmmaking, you cannot watch this film, as I did, without agreeing. The beauty in Mark’s film is not reserved for the landscapes; it is also revealed in the tale of survival, the tale of rebirth.

I strongly encourage you to watch Buddha’s Lost Children, but if you cannot, understand it is but a small glimpse into the dedication of Khru Bah in the mountains on the border between Burma and Thailand. To describe Khru Bah is to risk minimizing his life. A beloved monk to many, he is nothing short of salvation to the orphans he teaches.

Phra Khru Bah Neua Chai Kositto*

At one point in the film Khru Bah explains:

If you gain a position of influence, one day it will disappear.

If you receive honors, one day those honors will fade.

Popularity is just like a straw fire, so when you get the chance,

you should take that brightness and make poor places, the dark places, bright.

Khru Bah brightens dark places. So does Mark.

(Visit www.buddhaslostchildren.com.)

* Photos not taken by the author are used without expressed permission and will be removed upon direction.