smcj wrote: ↑Fri Sep 07, 2018 2:58 pm
Pema Khandro received a recognition and enthronement by the head of the 900 year old Druk Tashi Dhargey Chokor Dechenling Monastery in Tibet, His Eminence Gyaldak Rinpoche. She was recognized as the present reincarnation (tulku) of a nineteenth-century yogini. She was given the title Pema Khandro Rinpoche when she received the lineage of this nineteenth century yogini who practiced in the Nyingma and Kagyu lineages in Eastern Tibet. She continues the legacy of those teachings focusing on Dzogchen, Chod and the Six Yogas. Gyaldak Rinpoche encouraged her to spread the esoteric teachings of Buddhism in North America and throughout the world.
Anyone got that lama’s WeChat?
Red flags all over his Bio.
It often seems to be some random lama from Tibet recognizing funky tulkus. I wonder if she has funded him in any capacity?
While there are authentic tulkus, not all are so, which everyone knows. It's actually not that hard to get a tulku recognition, and even elder lama's have been deceived through tricky ways to obtain them.
In ascertaining authentic Nirmanakaya's of course we do need to use some discriminating wisdom. There are also people who are blessed to carry out the activity of a tulku who are not actually the tulku in question, Tulku thondup says they get the same blessing a statue does.
Some use downright deception, like HH Dorje change Buddha the 3rd (lol) who had a Sakya khenpo forge his letter head. Dzongsar khyentse rinpoche spotted that it was in-authentic because the khenpo was not a good forge and messed up on the color of the sun and moon.
DKR had an hour long interview with HHST who was shocked about it, and was going to make a public statement out against it. When the followers of Dorje chang got wind of this they threatened to sue HHST.. So .. these kind of things happen. (The fake endorsement letter is still in his book)
One of the reasons Chadral sangye dorje rinpoche released a statement which said he did not condone anyone, he does not approve just by being in a photo with someone, and that these lama's should just stay in retreat instead of travelling to foreign countries building more Zandok Palri's.
Then there are cases like that of the 16th karmapa, when no one could find a prediction letter of the 15th, so the Tibetan government put out a tulku, A student of the 16th eventually found the letter, but by the time he reached it was too late, and his candidate was not accepted. As it was such a grave issue which concerned the entire lineage, the previous Gyalwang Drukpa was consulted. He recommended they do many protector prayers and well.. we know what happened. (This is discussed in Tulku urgyen rinpoche's Blazing splendor.)
This lama claims to be recognized as one of the highest tulkus, Phagmodrugpa himself.. That he is a student of 16th karmapa and Chadral sangye dorje, yet where is their recognition of him being such an important lama? .. No where, of course some random yogi from tibet said he was someone, and how much do you want to bet this lama is dead now? mhmm..
So, while there are authentic tulkus, we have to investigate a bit to determine who is really so, and who has obtained a title through other means. A good rule of thumb is to see whether they are a Major tulku, like a terton, empowered and trained as an actual lineage holder, and given permission and told to propagate that lineage.
It is also generally a good sign to see how many in the Himalayan community believe in them and attend their events as they tend to know the inner stories about a given lama. & if they are so major, are there any of the yangsis going to them to receive empowerment's and transmissions? all these things should be looked into.
Phonies will always try to align themselves with higher lama's through any kind of tricky means,and no, a photo with a high lama is not an endorsement. Take for instance Younge khachab rinpoche, his bio says that he is from a family line associated with the Karmapa's and that the 16th Karmapa ordained him, clearly trying to align himself with a powerful figure such as HHGK. However, when I told one of my teachers that my friend was going to his teachings, who is an actual tulku who was closely trained by the 16th.. He warned me, to tell her that he is fraudulent. He does not have any habit of speaking out against teachers, but he was able to help my friend get away, and we know what happened with that case..
Of course people can be benefited by teachers who are not mainstream, but the point is to exercise caution, and that generally, seeing who the lineage holders genuinely had faith in and made their heart sons is meaningful. I am just so sick of fake tulkus, and fake teachers in general harming, and deceiving students, teaching from the motivation of the worldly dharma's. People who are quick to call themselves Dakini's, and all kind of Buddha emanations, while the real tulku's are often busy denigrating themselves as being deluded beings. So I hope that prospective students will take caution. Even in watching a few clips of her on youtube, her answers about the Vajrayana were incredibly weak, pitiful to be honest.
However if a student swears by their benefit, what can I say?