Alex Wilding

But these are exceptions. In many cases, cynics might say suspiciously many, The young tulkus are found in well-to-do families, often those who provide financial and other support to the monastery concerned. This binds their generous donations even more closely to the monastery. And there are a couple of major Nyingma lineages, each having quite a number of tulkus.

But these are exceptions. In many cases, cynics might say suspiciously many, The young tulkus are found in well-to-do families, often those who provide financial and other support to the monastery concerned. This binds their generous donations even more closely to the monastery. And there are a couple of major Nyingma lineages, each having quite a number of tulkus.

where it seems to be practically the rule that the rebirth is kept in the family. Uncles, nephews, brothers, cousins. If you're born as one of those, you may well be recognised as a tulku. Otherwise, you don't stand much chance.

where it seems to be practically the rule that the rebirth is kept in the family. Uncles, nephews, brothers, cousins. If you're born as one of those, you may well be recognised as a tulku. Otherwise, you don't stand much chance.

It's important to mention as well that it's possible for somebody, through study, practice and personal qualities, to rise through the hierarchy without being a tulku, to a very high level.

It's important to mention as well that it's possible for somebody, through study, practice and personal qualities, to rise through the hierarchy without being a tulku, to a very high level.

The 19th century figure of Jamgon-Kontrol the Great had quite humble beginnings, but rose to become enormously significant as a result of his towering intellect, enormous commitment to practice and diplomatic skills. So, that's another case worth mentioning, and there are more, but this path to prominence is the exception.

The 19th century figure of Jamgon-Kontrol the Great had quite humble beginnings, but rose to become enormously significant as a result of his towering intellect, enormous commitment to practice and diplomatic skills. So, that's another case worth mentioning, and there are more, but this path to prominence is the exception.

So how is it working out as this whole system now has to survive and coexist with a more or less modern society? The religious system must now become at least partially compatible with the West, that is to say the society that descends from the European Enlightenment. Let's try to put ourselves in the shoes of that kid.

So how is it working out as this whole system now has to survive and coexist with a more or less modern society? The religious system must now become at least partially compatible with the West, that is to say the society that descends from the European Enlightenment. Let's try to put ourselves in the shoes of that kid.

Sometimes indeed he or even occasionally she may have been chosen for some non-obvious, Let's even call it mystical reasons. More often, the factors will be concerned with power and wealth, often that of powerful influential families, and indeed from more or less the same family as the predecessor.

Sometimes indeed he or even occasionally she may have been chosen for some non-obvious, Let's even call it mystical reasons. More often, the factors will be concerned with power and wealth, often that of powerful influential families, and indeed from more or less the same family as the predecessor.

This kid is now taken away from its mother at a very young age and brought up in strict monastic circumstances. It must, I think reasonably, be feared that these circumstances are, at least from time to time, abusive. In any event, they are harsh.

This kid is now taken away from its mother at a very young age and brought up in strict monastic circumstances. It must, I think reasonably, be feared that these circumstances are, at least from time to time, abusive. In any event, they are harsh.

At some stage, the kid is put on a throne and told that they are wonderful, special, and have an insight that the rest of us don't hear lots of presents and treats. And then back to harsh reality. And that's how they grow up. Is it any wonder that at least some of them are... Frankly speaking, emotionally illiterate. It must be said that some of these kids do survive emotionally.

At some stage, the kid is put on a throne and told that they are wonderful, special, and have an insight that the rest of us don't hear lots of presents and treats. And then back to harsh reality. And that's how they grow up. Is it any wonder that at least some of them are... Frankly speaking, emotionally illiterate. It must be said that some of these kids do survive emotionally.

Perhaps a few of them really are very special souls. As for examples with which I'm more or less personally familiar, we have the four Kajutulkus who came to the UK in the 1960s. My own first teacher, Chimmy Rinpoche, was one of those, and has had a few struggles in his life, but has not gone weird.

Perhaps a few of them really are very special souls. As for examples with which I'm more or less personally familiar, we have the four Kajutulkus who came to the UK in the 1960s. My own first teacher, Chimmy Rinpoche, was one of those, and has had a few struggles in his life, but has not gone weird.

Akong Rinpoche did a quite wonderful job of looking after Samyaling in Scotland, developing it towards the centre that it is today, and bringing a number of charitable organisations in Nepal and Tibet into being. As for Atto Rinpoche, I never heard a whisper of impropriety from that corner,

Akong Rinpoche did a quite wonderful job of looking after Samyaling in Scotland, developing it towards the centre that it is today, and bringing a number of charitable organisations in Nepal and Tibet into being. As for Atto Rinpoche, I never heard a whisper of impropriety from that corner,