IMO, that is a very sad perspective. That’s not to say that there aren’t problems with the tulku culture, or that all tulkus are legitimate, or even that it shouldn’t peter out, but to categorically call it simply politics and organization is disheartening to a degree and a sign of degeneration, it seems.Knotty Veneer wrote: ↑Wed Oct 17, 2018 11:40 amPersonally, I view it very cynically as all political. An useful tool for social organization perhaps in medieval times but useless now.
There is nothing in the Buddha's teachings about tulkus. A Tibetan invention.
Karmapa was the first tulku. Would be interesting if he were to be the start of a movement to retire the concept.
I believe that it’s been prophesized that there will be something like 21 Karmapas, and we are on either the 17th or 18th, depending on if you include one who allegedly died as a child. Of course, the emanations will be far more than that but in terms of the actual formal position of Karmapa, that’s what I’ve understood.
As Thaye Dorje says in the linked video, this basically occurs due to pure aspirations that are connected with awakened mind and the Path. This is from a timeless and non-dual place, basically, and the manifestations are entirely in line with awakening, basically.
Of note, the Kongtrul associated with Thaye Dorje is legit. Very much, I think. He’s about to go into a ~4 year retreat in a couple of weeks, and he’s super solid.
I’m sorry if my words are upsetting but it does seem basically like a sign of degeneration to simply think that all tulkus are nothing more than a worldly thing. They aren’t. Some are, but some aren’t.
My two cents, fwiw. Which may be little.