Choenzey is a 47-year-old Tibetan monk living in a monastery in southern India. His spiritual master, Khensur Rinpoche , has been dead for four years. According to Tibetan belief, he will soon be reincarnated. It is Choenzey's responsibility to find the reincarnation and look after him. Everyman follows Choenzey's search for - and eventual discovery of - an impish 4-year-old who is recognised by the Dalai Lama to be the reincarnation. The boy sits through his first ritual ceremony with grave dignity. Soon a moving relationship develops between the monk and the boy as Choenzey has to cope with new responsibilities as a "father".