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Posted on 07/05/2025 7:50:21 PM PDT by Ciaphas Cain
For much of the past century, the Dalai Lama has been the living embodiment of Tibet’s struggle for greater freedoms under Chinese Communist Party rule, sustaining the cause from exile even as an increasingly powerful Beijing has become ever more assertive in suppressing it.
As his 90th birthday approaches this Sunday, the spiritual leader for millions of followers of Tibetan Buddhism worldwide is bracing for a final showdown with Beijing: the battle over who will control his reincarnation.
On Wednesday, the Dalai Lama announced that he will have a successor after his death, and that his office will have the sole authority to identify his reincarnation.
“I am affirming that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue,” the Nobel Peace laureate said in a video message to religious elders gathering in Dharamshala, India, where he has found refuge since Chinese communist troops put down an armed uprising in his mountainous homeland in 1959.
The cycle of rebirth lies at the core of Tibetan Buddhist belief. Unlike ordinary beings who are reborn involuntarily under the influence of karma, a revered spiritual master like the Dalai Lama is believed to choose the place and time of his rebirth – guided by compassion and prayer – for the benefit of all sentient beings.
But the reincarnation of the current Dalai Lama is not only pivotal to Tibetan Buddhism. It has become a historic battleground for the future of Tibet, with potentially far-reaching geopolitical implications for the broader Himalayan region.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnn.com ...
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Which one will be most recognized diplomatically as the "real" lama?
In a turnabout, actor Bill Murray should bestow cosmic consciousness on the Dalai Lama as he faces the end.
Hebrews 9:27.
The Dalai Lama does not have to choose to live again.
We bless him for his compassion in doing so.
Namu Amida Butsu...
Another Buddhist was Allen Ginsberg.
As a Michigan FReeper I want to mention the cremated remains of Allen Ginsberg are partially interred at the Jewel Heart Tibetan Buddhist Learning Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Other locations of portions....
His family plot in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
Jewel Heart, Gelek Rinpoche’s sangha (in New York).
The Shambhala Sangha, to be brought to Shambhala Mountain Center near Red Feather Lakes, Colorado.
Gunga galunga… gunga, gunga-lagunga.
The current Dali Lama never struck me as a guy who took this stuff seriously.
Ten or so years ago Bret Beir of Fox News asked the Dalai Lama if he played golf. Dalai Lama was confused at first, he didn’t get the reference. He plays no golf. But he apparently excels at ping pong.
“Always two, there are: A Dalai Lama. And a Commie Lama.” —Yoda
RE: Hebrews 9:27.
True, one and only one life means the person can’t sweep aside sins and say “better luck next time in the next life.”
The temptations of evil have to be fought off in the one life to someday get into Heaven and avoid Hell.
Hindus and Buddhists are interestingly joined by the group of devout and observant Jews who believe in the book of Zohar and the teachings of Kabbalah, with sparks of goodness in the soul having to be worked upon to attain a final lifetime leading to the World To Come.
Other branches of Judaism don’t accept more than one life.
Sha’ar HaGilgulim (The Gate of Reincarnations) and the Zohar teach we require lifetimes for tikkun—repair or correction.
That’s funny.
Ever read his autobiographies? Crazy stuff. Like he claimed a small plane was flown to him so he could see one. It landed and he got in when no one was looking and took off (from a beach) flew around a little and landed. Wrote that the controls were obvious so it was easy to do. He did say the pilot and others around weren’t happy.
Follow the money...that’s how the world usually goes.
Which autobiography.
While visiting the UN in New York he went out to a hotdog cart.He reportedly said “ Make me one with everything “
Inquiring minds want to know. How long does it take the soul of the Dalai Lama to be resent back to earth? When the soul leaves can it immediately find the first available baby? Does the soul enter the baby in the womb or just after birth? What happens if the successor baby Dalai Lama is chosen, but dies after being chosen? Where are all the instructions given as to how this all comes about? Has there ever been a reluctant Dalai Lama?
CNN, in its sophomoric glory, relegates a spiritual “voyage” to a question about political control. Always political control. CNN cannot do anything else.
Well Hello Dalai!
(sorry, but it’s the law)
I had always thought Tibetan prophecy indicated the current Dali Lama would be the last.
Long time ago, I remember reading the books he wrote about his childhood and early life, escaping into exile, etc. The plane story sticks out as memorable, there were a lot of pretty wild stories about his exploits. Here are a couple of possible leads:
Tenzin Gyatso: The Early Life of the Dalai Lama
TG: My Land My People.
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