July9

Through My Eyes

Saturday July 9

(We continue to listen to the Dalai Lama as he tells of the search for a tulku!)

" Next, the most likely place for the reincarnation to appear is established. This is usually quite easy. First, will it be inside or outside Tibet? If outside, there are a limited number of places whre it is likely- the Tibetan communities of India, Nepal or Switzerland, for example. After that, it must be decided in which town the child is most likely to be found. Generally this is done by referring to the life of the previous incarnation.

Having narrowed the options and established parameters in the way I have shown, the next step is usually to assemble a search party. This need not necessarily mean that a group of people is sent out as if they were looking for treasure. Usually it is sufficient to ask various people in the community to look out for a child between three and four who might be a candidate. Often there are helpful clues, such as unusual phenomena at the time of the child's birth; or the child may exhibit peculiar characteristics.

Sometimes two or three or more possibilities will emerge at this stage. Occasionally, a search party is not required at all because the previous incarnation has left detailed information right down to the name of his successor and the name of his successor's parents. But this is rare. Other times, the monk's followers may have clear dreams or visions about where to find his successor. On the other hand, one high lama recently directed that there should be no search for his own rebirth. He said that whoever seemed likely to serve the Buddha Dharma and his community best should be installed as his successor, rather than for anyone to worry about an accurate identification. There are no hard and fast rules.

If it happens that several children are put forward as candidates, it is usual for someone well known to the previous incarnation to conduct a final examination. Frequently, this person will be recognised by one of the children, which is strong evidence of proof, but sometimes marks on the body are also into consideration.

In some cases, the identtfication process involves consulting one of the oracles or someone who has powers of ngon she (clairvoyance). One of the methods that these people use is Ta, whereby the practitioner looks into a mirror in which he or she might see the actual child, or a building, or perhaps a written name. I call this 'ancient television'. It corresponds to the visions that people had at Lake Lhamoi Lhatso, where Reting Rinpoche saw the letters Ah, Ka and Ma and the views of a monastery and a house when he began to search for me.

Sometimes, I myself am called upon to direct the search for a reincarnation. In these circumstances it is my responsibility to make the final decision on whether a given candidate has been correctly chosen. I should say that I have no powers of clairvoyance. I have had neither the time nor the opportunity to develop them, although I have some reason to believe that the Thirteenth Dalai Lama did have some ability in this sphere.

As an example of how I do this, I will relate the story of Ling Rinpoche, my Senior Tutor. I always had the greatest respect for Ling Rinpoche, although when I was a child I had only to see his servant to become afraid- and whenever I heard his familiar footsteps, my heart missed a beat. But, in time, I came to value hime as one of my greatest and closest friends. When he died not long ago, I felt that life without him at my side would be very difficult. He had become a rock on which I could lean.

I was in 'Switzerland, in the late summer of 1983, when I first heard of his final illness: he had suffered a stroke and become paralyzed. This news disturbed me very much. Yet, as a Buddhist, I knew there was not much use in worrying. As soon as I could, I returned to Dharamasala, where I found him still alive, but in a bad physical state. Yet his mind was as sharp as ever, thank to a lifetime of assiduous mental training. His condition remained stable for several months before deteriorating quite suddenly. He entered a coma from which he never emerged and died on 25 December 1983. But, as if any further evidence of his being a remarkable person were needed, his body did not begin to decay until thirteen days after he was pronounced dead, despite the hot climate. It was as if he still inhabited his body, even though clinically it was without life

When I look back at the manner of his demise, I am quite certain that Ling Rinpoche's illness, drawn out as it was over a long period, was entirely deliberate, in order to help get me used to being without him. However, that is only half the story. Because we are speaking of Tibetans, the tale continues happily. Ling Rinpoche's reincarnation has since been found, and he is presently a very bright and naughty boy of three. His discovery was one of those wehre the child clearly recognises a member of the search party."

(A wonderful return! I promise to add more tomorrow...)

*( please click here to read of the day with me )

* This is from the book Freedom in Exile The Autobiography of the Dalai Lama by Tenzin Gyatso, the fourteenth

Dalai Lama of Tibet.

Through my eyes

( Please see my spinning for you!)

( Tahshi Deleh gentle one! Kehrahng kusu debo yinpeh? I began the day in our studio spinning for you then worked on the printing block which with we two working as one pulling strongly and patiently together is going quite well! After that I headed to the stream to clear the pump casing then up gang rinpoche ngah tso gi to check our trees and native plants. Two as one we've gotten a lot of the spraying done for the week! I've noticed we've a fair bit of clearing around the trees and native plants to do though and the tree feeding still to begin yet. Things look just fine up there though! It wasn't our warm and bright future day of course but it was wonderful up there with the wind stirring the leaves in the Grove and the Tenger creating a glorious cloud show! I'm going to work in the studio and Grove on Monday so two as one we'll get a lot done then! After that I rested by your Medlar tree as usual before returning to our studio to work on our a land of Tibet. Two as one we've fixed a few more mistakes on the pages. Be not concerned for we continue firmly on in spite of my stumblings! I'm going to put the pages up on our infosite;I'll put this up for now so we can rest.

And so, as always we'll continue two as one on to tomorrow

my one gentle beautiful patient swift dream bright

long dark mane in sunlight

so for now I bid goodnight...Simjah Nahngo!)


	Through My Eyes Saturday July 9 (We continue to listen to the Dalai Lama as he tells of the search for a tulku!) " Next, the most likely place for the reincarnation to appear is established. This is usually quite easy. First, will it be inside or outside Tibet? If outside, there are a limited number of places whre it is likely- the Tibetan communities of India, Nepal or Switzerland, for example. After that, it must be decided in which town the child is most likely to be found. Generally this is done by referring to the life of the previous incarnation. Having narrowed the options and established parameters in the way I have shown, the next step is usually to assemble a search party. This need not necessarily mean that a group of people is sent out as if they were looking for treasure. Usually it is sufficient to ask various people in the community to look out for a child between three and four who might be a candidate. Often there are helpful clues, such as unusual phenomena at the time of the child's birth; or the child may exhibit peculiar characteristics. Sometimes two or three or more possibilities will emerge at this stage. Occasionally, a search party is not required at all because the previous incarnation has left detailed information right down to the name of his successor and the name of his successor's parents. But this is rare. Other times, the monk's followers may have clear dreams or visions about where to find his successor. On the other hand, one high lama recently directed that there should be no search for his own rebirth. He said that whoever seemed likely to serve the Buddha Dharma and his community best should be installed as his successor, rather than for anyone to worry about an accurate identification. There are no hard and fast rules. If it happens that several children are put forward as candidates, it is usual for someone well known to the previous incarnation to conduct a final examination. Frequently, this person will be recognised by one of the children, which is strong evidence of proof, but sometimes marks on the body are also into consideration. In some cases, the identtfication process involves consulting one of the oracles or someone who has powers of ngon she (clairvoyance). One of the methods that these people use is Ta, whereby the practitioner looks into a mirror in which he or she might see the actual child, or a building, or perhaps a written name. I call this 'ancient television'. It corresponds to the visions that people had at Lake Lhamoi Lhatso, where Reting Rinpoche saw the letters Ah, Ka and Ma and the views of a monastery and a house when he began to search for me. Sometimes, I myself am called upon to direct the search for a reincarnation. In these circumstances it is my responsibility to make the final decision on whether a given candidate has been correctly chosen. I should say that I have no powers of clairvoyance. I have had neither the time nor the opportunity to develop them, although I have some reason to believe that the Thirteenth Dalai Lama did have some ability in this sphere. As an example of how I do this, I will relate the story of Ling Rinpoche, my Senior Tutor. I always had the greatest respect for Ling Rinpoche, although when I was a child I had only to see his servant to become afraid- and whenever I heard his familiar footsteps, my heart missed a beat. But, in time, I came to value hime as one of my greatest and closest friends. When he died not long ago, I felt that life without him at my side would be very difficult. He had become a rock on which I could lean. I was in 'Switzerland, in the late summer of 1983, when I first heard of his final illness: he had suffered a stroke and become paralyzed. This news disturbed me very much. Yet, as a Buddhist, I knew there was not much use in worrying. As soon as I could, I returned to Dharamasala, where I found him still alive, but in a bad physical state. Yet his mind was as sharp as ever, thank to a lifetime of assiduous mental training. His condition remained stable for several months before deteriorating quite suddenly. He entered a coma from which he never emerged and died on 25 December 1983. But, as if any further evidence of his being a remarkable person were needed, his body did not begin to decay until thirteen days after he was pronounced dead, despite the hot climate. It was as if he still inhabited his body, even though clinically it was without life When I look back at the manner of his demise, I am quite certain that Ling Rinpoche's illness, drawn out as it was over a long period, was entirely deliberate, in order to help get me used to being without him. However, that is only half the story. Because we are speaking of Tibetans, the tale continues happily. Ling Rinpoche's reincarnation has since been found, and he is presently a very bright and naughty boy of three. His discovery was one of those wehre the child clearly recognises a member of the search party." (A wonderful return! I promise to add more tomorrow...) ( please click here to read of the day with me ) This is from the book Freedom in Exile The Autobiography of the Dalai Lama by Tenzin Gyatso, the fourteenth Dalai Lama of Tibet. Through my eyes ( Please see my spinning for you!) ( Tahshi Deleh gentle one! Kehrahng kusu debo yinpeh? I began the day in our studio spinning for you then worked on the printing block which with we two working as one pulling strongly and patiently together is going quite well! After that I headed to the stream to clear the pump casing then up gang rinpoche ngah tso gi to check our trees and native plants. Two as one we've gotten a lot of the spraying done for the week! I've noticed we've a fair bit of clearing around the trees and native plants to do though and the tree feeding still to begin yet. Things look just fine up there though! It wasn't our warm and bright future day of course but it was wonderful up there with the wind stirring the leaves in the Grove and the Tenger creating a glorious cloud show! I'm going to work in the studio and Grove on Monday so two as one we'll get a lot done then! After that I rested by your Medlar tree as usual before returning to our studio to work on our a land of Tibet. Two as one we've fixed a few more mistakes on the pages. Be not concerned for we continue firmly on in spite of my stumblings! I'm going to put the pages up on our infosite;I'll put this up for now so we can rest. And so, as always we'll continue two as one on to tomorrow my one gentle beautiful patient swift dream bright long dark mane in sunlight so for now I bid goodnight...Simjah Nahngo!)