Tibet meets Tinseltown when the next Buddha is born in Hollywood, forcing an unhappy monk to guide an aloof American girl to enlightenment.

SYNOPSIS:

The Tibetan Buddhist monks of Namgyal Monastery are dreaming, not of lotus flowers and dharma wheels, but of Americana and Hollywood. This is seen as a sign that the next Buddha has arrived and Lama Yeshie is sent to investigate. He finds four-year-old Jordan (a girl), born to celebrity parents and spoiled rotten. It’s clear that Jordan is indeed an important manifestation—a potential Buddha—the last of three Buddha to walk the earth. In Buddhist prophecy she is known as Maitreya, short for "Loving Kindness."

Jordan's parents force Yeshie to raise Maitreya at the Beverly Hills Zen Buddhist Center on West Sunset and for the next 14 years they navigate the pitfalls of childhood, including a temper-tantrum, “B-list” fame, and Maitreya’s first menstruation. Tibetan and Zen Buddhism clash. Buddhism and Capitalism clash. Yeshie overprotects his young protégée from America and young Maitreya must soon choose between the entitlement of a pop queen and the enlightenment of a Buddha.

On her 18th birthday, Maitreya breaches the gate of the Zen Center and embarks on a walk-a-bout to see the world for herself—fun and games until the pedestrian joyride takes her to Watts. Lost and alone and in grave danger, a dramatic rescue is launched to save her. In Watts, beneath a Bodhi tree, the third Buddha awakens.

First Place Comedy - StoryPros 7th Annual Screenplay Contest 2014

First Runner Up - Big Story Group 2014

Filmmakers 3rd Place Comedy 2015

Top 10 Finalist - Sell-a-script All Access Screenplay Contest 2014

Top 10 Finalist - Screenplay Festival 2014

Top Finalist - Final Draft Big Break Screenplay Contest 2014

Producer Charles V. Bender (Splice, Echelon Conspiracy, Solaris, Maggie) is working on behalf of this script.