Ahanu
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I don't know what to make of these comments from the Dalai Lama.
Female successor must be attractive?
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C
CobblersApprentice
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Possibly his sense of humour, combined with a degree of insight into the "priorities" of our current society?
The new Dalhi Lama is supposed to be a reincarnation. After the Dalai Lama dies there is a search for the baby who is the reincarnation. I think?
So it sounds as if he was making a joke that has been picked up and sensationalised? Although the article says he was being serious, it's not clear he wasn't joking.
"According to Tibetan Buddhist tradition, when he is aged around 90, he will make a decision in conjunction with other Buddhist leaders as to whether a successor - a "reincarnation" - should take on the role of being the 15th Dalai Lama..."
The successor would be a baby?
Who knows. It's weird ...
So it sounds as if he was making a joke that has been picked up and sensationalised? Although the article says he was being serious, it's not clear he wasn't joking.
"According to Tibetan Buddhist tradition, when he is aged around 90, he will make a decision in conjunction with other Buddhist leaders as to whether a successor - a "reincarnation" - should take on the role of being the 15th Dalai Lama..."
The successor would be a baby?
Who knows. It's weird ...
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https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Succession_of_the_14th_Dalai_Lama
Following the Buddhist belief in the principle of reincarnation, the current Dalai Lama is believed by Buddhists to be able to choose the body into which he is reincarnated. That person, when found, will then become the next Dalai Lama. According to Buddhist scholars it is the responsibility of the High Lamas of the Gelgupa tradition and the Tibetan government to seek out and find the next Dalai Lama following the death of the incumbent.
The process can take a long time. It took four years to find the 14th (current) Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. The search is generally limited to Tibet, although the current Dalai Lama has said that there is a chance that he will not be reborn, and that if he is, it would not be in a country under Chinese rule. To help them in their search, the High Lamas may have visions or dreams, and try to find signs.
For example, if the previous Dalai Lama was cremated, they can watch the direction of the smoke to suggest where the rebirth will take place. When these signs have been interpreted and a successor found, there are a series of tests to ensure that they are the genuine reincarnation of the previous Dalai Lama. They assess the candidate against a set of criteria, and will present the child with various objects to see if they can identify those which belonged to the previous Dalai Lama. If a single candidate has been identified, the High Lamas will report their findings to eminent individuals and then to the Government.
If more than one candidate is identified, the true successor is found by officials and monks drawing lots in a public ceremony. Once identified, the successful candidate and his family are taken to Lhasa (or Dharamsala) where the child will study the Buddhist scriptures in order to prepare for spiritual leadership.
Following the Buddhist belief in the principle of reincarnation, the current Dalai Lama is believed by Buddhists to be able to choose the body into which he is reincarnated. That person, when found, will then become the next Dalai Lama. According to Buddhist scholars it is the responsibility of the High Lamas of the Gelgupa tradition and the Tibetan government to seek out and find the next Dalai Lama following the death of the incumbent.
The process can take a long time. It took four years to find the 14th (current) Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. The search is generally limited to Tibet, although the current Dalai Lama has said that there is a chance that he will not be reborn, and that if he is, it would not be in a country under Chinese rule. To help them in their search, the High Lamas may have visions or dreams, and try to find signs.
For example, if the previous Dalai Lama was cremated, they can watch the direction of the smoke to suggest where the rebirth will take place. When these signs have been interpreted and a successor found, there are a series of tests to ensure that they are the genuine reincarnation of the previous Dalai Lama. They assess the candidate against a set of criteria, and will present the child with various objects to see if they can identify those which belonged to the previous Dalai Lama. If a single candidate has been identified, the High Lamas will report their findings to eminent individuals and then to the Government.
If more than one candidate is identified, the true successor is found by officials and monks drawing lots in a public ceremony. Once identified, the successful candidate and his family are taken to Lhasa (or Dharamsala) where the child will study the Buddhist scriptures in order to prepare for spiritual leadership.
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The Dalai Lama's 2011 instructions about how his successor should be identified, from the Dalai Lama's website:
https://www.dalailama.com/messages/retirement-and-reincarnation/reincarnation
... Ordinary sentient beings generally cannot manifest an emanation before death (ma-dhey tulku), but superior Bodhisattvas, who can manifest themselves in hundreds or thousands of bodies simultaneously, can manifest an emanation before death ...
superior Bodhisattvas, who have attained the path of seeing, are not reborn through the force of their karma and destructive emotions, but due to the power of their compassion for sentient beings and based on their prayers to benefit others. They are able to choose their place and time of birth as well as their future parents. Such a rebirth, which is solely for the benefit of others, is rebirth through the force of compassion and prayer ...
He is worried the Chinese government will install a puppet Dalai Lama to replace him
https://www.dalailama.com/messages/retirement-and-reincarnation/reincarnation
... Ordinary sentient beings generally cannot manifest an emanation before death (ma-dhey tulku), but superior Bodhisattvas, who can manifest themselves in hundreds or thousands of bodies simultaneously, can manifest an emanation before death ...
superior Bodhisattvas, who have attained the path of seeing, are not reborn through the force of their karma and destructive emotions, but due to the power of their compassion for sentient beings and based on their prayers to benefit others. They are able to choose their place and time of birth as well as their future parents. Such a rebirth, which is solely for the benefit of others, is rebirth through the force of compassion and prayer ...
He is worried the Chinese government will install a puppet Dalai Lama to replace him
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I like your caution against sensationalist interpretations.
OTOH old men, even saintly old men, as a group, don't have a good track record being feminist allies. So it is also likely in my opinion that he was really speaking out of his arse.
OTOH old men, even saintly old men, as a group, don't have a good track record being feminist allies. So it is also likely in my opinion that he was really speaking out of his arse.
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CobblersApprentice
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Hi, on the Eastern v Western Philosophy thread the Dalai Lama pizza joke came up. This was on Australian TV long ago. Looking it up on Youtube I saw another follow up video, again long ago, and in this he was asked about a female successor. After agreeing that this could well be, he then actually says "as a joke" much the same as above, about needing to be attractive. He expands on the joke.
Is he saying he doesn't want to come back trying to experience life as a 'plain' looking woman? That it wouldn't benefit the role he has to portray?
Ahanu
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It doesn't seem like a joke to me because the journalist asked him to clarify his meaning three or four times during the interview.
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It doesn't seem like a joke to me because the journalist asked him to clarify his meaning three or four times during the interview.
Hi. I have not heard the interview you speak of. I am referring back to a previous chat on Australian TV, quite a few years ago, where the Dalai Lama, asked the question about his successor being female, after answering "no reason why not", then explicitly says he is then making a joke about the need to be attractive.
Whatever he may or may not have said or meant this time, after three years of Donald Trump and Brexit, nothing surprises me.
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CobblersApprentice
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My apologies for conjuring up such lurid images......
Suggesting the current turmoil could lead the best if us veering of our chosen path actually makes me hopeful.
Arif Ghamiq
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Well there is something to be said for aesthetics.
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CobblersApprentice
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"A thing of beauty is a joy forever" Keats.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder....attractive is a judgement by the speaker...
Some things can't be unsaid.
Some things can't be unsaid.
Arif Ghamiq
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Beauty and attractiveness can be very useful qualities IMO.
Would not good looks - attractiveness - help a good politician do good things even better ? Giving him or her the ability to persuade more people to support their good ideas and implement their plans ? As would good speaking abilities, charisma etc ?
Would not good looks - attractiveness - help a good politician do good things even better ? Giving him or her the ability to persuade more people to support their good ideas and implement their plans ? As would good speaking abilities, charisma etc ?