Incarnation: The History and Mysticism of the Tulku Tradition of TibetA tulku is a fully enlightened one (buddha) or highly accomplished adept (siddha) who chooses to be reborn again and again for the benefit of all beings. Most tulkus, though, are the rebirths of well-trained masters who are engaged in spiritual training and serving others. Tibetan Buddhists have, for well over a millennium, been meticulously following the tradition of finding, recognizing, enthroning, training, and venerating these revered figures who provide teachings of liberation for both monks and laypeople. This guide to the tulku tradition covers its long history, separating fact from fiction, giving an overview of how the system works, and providing short biographies of some of the great tulkus of the past and present. Included are accounts of the magical occurrences that are associated with these remarkable beings, and advice for how anyone can set out on the tulku path. |
Contents
The Three Main Types of Tulkus | |
The Discovery and Recognition of Tulkus | |
Miraculous Deaths | |
How to Become and Function as a Tulku | |
An Interview with Tulku Thondup | |
Bibliography with Abbreviations | |
Notes | |
Credits | |
About the Author | |
Other editions - View all
Incarnation: The History and Mysticism of the Tulku Tradition of Tibet Tulku Thondup No preview available - 2011 |
Common terms and phrases
appear Asanga Atisa attainment ba’i became blessed tulkus bodhisattva born Buddha buddhahood Buddhism Central Tibet ceremony ch’en ch’os China Chökyi collection of Tulku cremation Dalai Lama death deceased lamas Dharma Dorje Dudjom Dzogchen Eastern Tibet enjoy enjoymentbody enlightened aspiration enthroned esoteric teachings Fourth Dodrupchen Rinpoche Gelug Guru Padmasambhava highly accomplished adepts India Je Tsongkhapa Jigme Lingpa Kagyu karma Karmapa karmic Khenpo Khyentse’i Wangpo known lovingkindness Mahayana manifestations manifestedbody masters meditation Milarepa mind miraculous Monastery nirmanakaya Nyima Nyingma one’s ordinary pa’i path Pema prayers pure land pure visions qualities rainbow body rainbow light realization recognized Rigdzin ringsel rnam thar sacred Sakya scholar serve Shambhala Sitron Sitron Mirig Sönam spiritual sprul sku Sungbum take rebirth tantra TBRC teacher tertöns three buddhabodies Tibet Tibetan Buddhists Tsongkhapa Tulku Thondup tulku tradition tulkuhood tulkus of buddhas tulkus of virtuous vajra Vimalamitra virtuous lamas wisdom Yeshe Yeshe Tsogyal