Inspired by a true story, LITTLE BUDDHA begins with a group of Tibetan monks leaving their monastery in Bhutan to search for the reincarnation of a recently deceased high lama. Their quest takes them to Seattle, where they try to convince young Jesse`s father and mother (Chris Isaak and Bridget Fonda) that their son may be the lama. Intercut throughout is the story of Siddhartha (played by Keanu Reeves), the prince who became the Buddha.