the Choosing Process of
Lamas & Reincarnation -
“The Dalai Lamas have functioned as both the political and spiritual leaders of Tibet for 369 years since 1642. . .” (“Reincarnation”).
“The concept of the reincarnation . . . of a lama is unique to Tibetan Buddhism” ("Dalai Lama,” Wylie).
“Indicative statements made by the previous Dalai Lama during his lifetime, significant [omens] surrounding his death and afterward, and meditative visions by special lamas were recorded and interpreted as guides to finding his rebirth, ("Dalai Lama" Wylie).
“The lama who was then temporarily acting as ruler of the faith had experienced a vision . . . First of a monastery with three floors and a turquoise and gold roof, then of a small house with very distinctive gutter"("Dalai Lama" World Religions Reference Library”). The regent also had a vision while looking at a lake in central Tibet. "The regent became convinced that the [reference of the] letter "ah" referred to Amdo, the northeastern province of Tibet, the direction toward which the previous Dalai Lama's head had turned. A search party was sent to the monastery there, [town of] Kumbum, which began with the letter "ka" and had three floors and the properly colored roof” ("Dalai Lama" World Religions Reference Library”). This led the search party to the town where they would find the next Dalai Lama.
“A search party was sent to the monastery . . . which led them to the home of Lhamo Dhondup [also known as Tenzin Gyatso]. When they arrived, the lamas did not reveal the reason for their visit, instead merely asking for lodging for the night in hopes of observing the child,” ("Dalai Lama" World Religions Reference Library”).
“The leader of the [search] party, Kewtsang Rinpoche, then disguised himself as a servant and spent much of the evening observing and playing with the youngest child in the house.
[Lhamo] recognized him and called
out, "Sera lama, Sera lama". 'sERA' as Kewtsang Rinpoche's monastery,"
("Birth to Exile").
"A child, usually two or three years old when discovered, was subjected to tests to determine physical fitness, intelligence, and the ability to remember events and objects from his previous existence”( "Dalai Lama", Wylie).
“The lamas were impressed and returned the next day with further tests, bringing some of the previous Dalai Lama's possessions, which the boy was asked to pick out from among an assortment of objects” ("Dalai Lama." World Religions Reference Library”).
“It is reported that when they tested him, Lhamo Thondup correctly identified objects belonging to his predecessor, and a state oracle confirmed that he was the reincarnation of the previous Dalai Lamas, ”(“Dalai Lama”, Encyclopedia of World Biography). The Dalai Lama’s first feelings on being recognized were, “I was very happy. I liked it a lot. Even before I was recognized, I often told my mother that I was going to Lhasa” (“Questions & Answers").
He was then taken to Lhasa. The Dalai Lama remembers, “The journey to Lhasa took three months. “I remember very little detail apart from a great sense of wonder at everything I saw,” (“Birth to Exile”).
LEFT: "Dalai Lama, Holy Ruler of the land of Tibet" SOURCE: ("Human and Civil Rights: Essential Primary Sources") |
“On February 22, 1940, he was officially installed as spiritual leader of Tibet, though political rule remained in the hands of the regents. He took the name Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso” ("Dalai Lama Encyclopedia of World Biography").
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RIGHT: "Dalai Lama formally enlisted as spiritual leader of Tibet and inducted as a novice monk"
SOURCE: "The Telegraph" |