Tulku

In Tibetan Buddhism, a tulku is a reincarnated lama. The most famous example is the Dalai Lama. Believers claim he has existed in 14 incarnations since 1391. The first recognized tulku in Tibet was the Karmapa (or more precisely, the second Karmapa, Karma Pakshi (1024-1283). The Karmapa, head of the Karma Kagyu school of Buddhism, is presently on his 17th incarnation.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Tibetologist Fran?oise Pommaret estimates there are presently approximately 500 tulkus found across Tibet, Bhutan, Northern India, Nepal, Mongolia, and the southwest provinces of China. Female tulkus have been known to occur but are exceedingly rare.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Lineages of tulkus may be interlinked — for example the Panchen Lama traditionally recognizes the new incarnation of the Dalai Lama and vice versa. In other cases there is no such relationship, but in all cases the potential candidate is vetted by respected lamas, who often use tests such as checking if the child can recognize persons or artifacts from his previous life or answer questions only knowable by his former self. As a tulku nears death, the people around him listen carefully for clues which may help in finding his reincarnation. Sometimes, a tulku will leave a prediction letter describing where they will be found. Prophecies, which may date forward or backward many generations, also play a role.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Tibetan Buddhism: Tibetan Buddhism - formerly (and incorrectly) also called Lamaism, after their religious gurus known as lamas - is the body of religious Buddhist doctrine and institutions characteristic of Tibet and the Himalayan region. It is a multifaceted and integrated teaching, naturally implementing methods...

Lama: :This article is about Tibetan Buddhist teachers. For other uses of the word see Lama (disambiguation)...

Dalai Lama: : This article describes the Dalai Lama lineage. For information on the present Dalai Lama see Tenzin Gyatso. For the song see Dalai Lama (song)....