![]() “When I am about 90, I will consult the high lamas of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions, the Tibetan public, and other concerned people who follow Tibetan Buddhism,” he says in the statement, “and re-evaluate whether the institution of the Dalai Lama should continue or not.” Because a bodhisattva operates from a motivation of concern and service to the other, the Dalai Lama seems to have handed over the choice of his reincarnation to the other as well. His concern at the imminent subversion of a spiritual ideal that lies at the very heart of Tibetan Buddhism has prompted him to consider ending the institution of the Dalai Lama. ![]() One reason that has prompted the Dalai Lama’s recent statement is his concern about the politics that will be played with his reincarnation. These, along with everything else in the matrix of Tibet’s culture, were dealt a massive blow with the invasion of Tibet and the subsequent flight of the Dalai Lama out of Tibet in 1959. ![]() Uncertain future Recognising the potential for manipulation in the tulku system, suitable checks and balances were put in place. Every practitioner of Vajrayana, in fact, attempts to cultivate this attitude of compassion and dedicates his spiritual practice for the welfare of all beings. For the young tulkus, it is an inspiring focus to develop in life, where one’s raison d’etre, reason for being, has nothing to do with personal ambition, high-flying careers, or even families and children, like most of us. Nirvana for oneself is unthinkable when countless others continue to suffer, and the bodhisattva in his deep compassion, chooses to return with only one motivation - to help as many beings, in as many ways, as he can. The bodhisattva is the Buddha-to-be, who has chosen to delay his release from samsara for the sake of everybody else. In his words, “Superior bodhisattvas, who have attained the path of seeing, are reborn…due to the power of their compassion for sentient beings and based on their prayers to benefit others.” The Buddhism of Tibet - Vajrayana - itself a branch of Mahayana, is essentially the way of the bodhisattva. He has talked about his tutor, Ling Rinpoche’s reincarnation, who, at age two, crawled to the Dalai Lama’s room on his own and laid a ceremonial scarf on the bed! Bodhisattva ’s vow The key to understanding conscious rebirth is a word the Dalai Lama uses in the opening quote - ‘bodhisattva’. The Dalai Lama, who has an abiding interest in modern science, has said that he is willing to consider scientific proof that debunks reincarnation but that until then, he would continue to believe in it. While this may be so, little tulkus usually display a keen aptitude for scriptural study, metaphysics and meditation, as also equanimity, balance and quality of concentration not common in other children of their age. Budding Lama It might be argued that any child put through a couple of decades of concentrated spiritual training will grow into a wise human being.
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