Reincarnaions in Vajrayana

[seonpradhan]

I'd like to know and learn about Reincarnations phenomenon in Vajrayana Buddhism. I know there have been lots of reincarnations among religious teachers, most notably the Dalai Lama. What I am curious about is, how can anyone identified as the reincarnation of the deceased Buddhist Teacher? Is there any particular methods of procedures for that?

 

[crossfire]

The Pachen Lama is the one who does most of the leg work in locating the reincarnated Dalai Lama. In turn, the Dalai Lama does most of the leg work in locating the reincarnated Panchen Lama. The Panchen Lama located by the current Dalai Lama disappeared, and the Chinese government appointed their own selection as the so-called Panchen Lama. This way, the Chinese government gets to control who is the next Dalai Lama. It's a mess!

Panchen Lama - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The processes of searching for both the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama are similar. Wiki has an article:

Dalai Lama - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Benst]

My understanding is that recognition is not an exact science, but more based upon visions, prophecies, astrology, and even chance encounters.

There are some great resources and films done in the west on this phenomenon, and it seems that the most common way of recognizing is by omens. A delegation of seekers might go out and try to find a child born about the same time, or who displays a certain number of defined characteristics. If a child is identified as a candidate, a classic well known test is to present them with a selection of items, the hope being that they will recognize the personal artifacts of the dead teacher. If they pass whatever tests presented then, I believe, they are enthroned and declared the reincarnation.

If you can find it, Tulku: Divine Birth, Normal Life... is an interesting Doco by a young Tibetan guy (Gesar Mukpo) from California who was recognized as a Tulku. [youtube]9D0X-n-eNGU[/youtube]
TULKU "Divine birth, ordinary life" - official trailer - YouTube

Little Buddha starring Keanu Reeves and directed by Bernardo Bertolucci, follows the story of a Bhutanese monk trying to find the reincarnation of his master in America. It's very fictionalized, but atleast gives you an idea.
Little Buddha on Vimeo

Quite recently there have been many Westerners recognized or suggested to be Rinpoches and Tulkus, most famously Steven Seagal, who was recognized as Chundrag Dorje a terton of the Nyingma lineage. There's also Jetsunma, who was the first western woman to be recognized as a Tulku in 1988. And a few others.

 

[Yeshe Dondrub]

The reincarnation aspects existed before Tibetan Buddhism.

The reincarnations or lama's began with the Karmapa, and specific tulka's, Rinpoche's after, that became the two reflection aspect of Karmapa and Sharmapa.

When the yellow hat lama's (the first being a student of the 3rd Karmapa) it continued, since they strongly wish to return to help all sentient beings.

Choices are made in a structured way and tests, the actual tests have not been shown on tv and is not simply "Identify the correct object" as some believe.

In Kagyupa, the Sharmapa would seek out the Karmapa with a Rinpoche he chose to join him. The Karmapa would seek out the Sharmapa with one he appointed. At times they left letters, more often, they gave verbal instruction to each other.


Pachen lama pre appointed would seek and make choices in the next Dalai. Key point, Neither school can make choices or recognition for the other. Even if the Kagyu are an older school.