“Reincarnated Lama goes off the rails.” That’s one version of a headline for what might just be a big news story, for the Buddhist world and way beyond. But don’t believe everything you read.
Based on an original story from El Mundo, the UK’s Guardian and also The First Post are running pieces about the “former” Lama Osel of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT), in which Osel seems to be coming out against his having been recognized, when he was a child, as the reincarnation of the great Lama Yeshe. (The Guardian piece has already been picked up by the Huffington Post.)
But again: don’t believe everything you read. First of all, there are various “small” details in the stories that show research wasn’t done. “Lama” is defined in the Guardian piece as “one of a lineage of reincarnated spiritual leaders.” Actually, a lama is simply a teacher. (The word that should have been used is tulku.) Whether a lama is also a reincarnated spiritual leader or not is another matter.
Far more important, though, is this: the story just doesn’t paint a full picture. It’s been known for years now that Osel was going to quietly pursue film and explore life as a non-lama. (And while the news here suggests that he’s still addressed as “Lama,” he isn’t; the FPMT folks have been happy to address him as he wishes.) So why would someone who wants to quietly pursue their own thing knowingly seek publicity? And why would that person seek publicity that might damage his relationship with the FPMT, which, from all I’ve heard about, is just fine?
And what seem to be Osel’s complaints about being essentially kidnapped don’t wash, either – the young Osel often visited his family in Spain, and his father and his brother even lived with him for a time at Sera Monastery!
One dear friend suggests that perhaps Osel was caught in a “Phelpsian moment.” Only, where Michael Phelps let his guard down and had a big ol’ bong hit with a camera present, Osel instead let his guard down and perhaps said some things that were taken wildly out of context. Was this lazy journalism? Was it somehow agenda-based?
Whatever it was, this will be an important story to watch, because it should create discussion: about how we think about reincarnation (especially within the framework of Tibetan Buddhism), and how we think about the media, especially when it’s about Buddhism. Perhaps the FPMT (a wonderful organization from all the contact I’ve had with it, and from all I’ve ever heard about it) will even see this as an opportunity to lead us toward a smarter and more balanced discussion. (I mean, they should have been interviewed by El Mundo to begin with!) At the very least, it reminds us that there’s never just one side to a story. We Buddhists should be watching closely when it comes to how the mainstream media treads into our world.
So: stay tuned!
UPDATE: Go beyond words, the Wisdom Publications blog, has a link to the real Osel story. Click here.
The other really major (in my mind) thing that HuffPo got wrong was that, in its headline that linked to the Guardian story, it described Osel as a boy who was "chosen" by the Dalai Lama to be a spiritual master. "Chosen" is incorrect and creates gross misconceptions of what recognition is about. No one is disputing Osel as a reincarnation of Lama Yeshe. So it's not like the Dalai Lama's fault that this boy was born–if he was asked to affirm the recognition of the boy, and the boy was the real deal, he would have no choice but to affirm the recognition! What happens after that has nothing to do with the Dalai Lama. Thanks for this clarifying post.
On a larger issue, however, I am very interested in Osel's story. And I do think it is worth looking into to see whether the traditional tulku system can be even remotely healthy for the development of people in the modern world.
Excellent point, OMC. Thank you.
And yes: the tulku system is worth looking into with a critical eye, at the very least so more people can understand and/or be more comfortable with (or at least aware of) it. Our friends over at One City, for example, are asking critically about it: http://blog.beliefnet.com/onecity/2009/06/reincar…
Applying the old definition of news as "a man bites a dog," then we can see that "good" Buddhists aren't news, only "bad" Buddhists. Haven't we seen a run on this lately? You're going to have to bite a lot harder to have an impact, I'm afraid.
Well, that may be the case for the mainstream media — but we, and many of our friends in the Buddhist blogosphere, are all about "good" Buddhists and "good" news. That's our main function, and if we cant lead the way for everyone, we'll lead the way for at least those who want to follow that positive direction.
I never understood why Tibetan Buddhists felt the need to recognize children as reincarnations of previous teachers. Other Buddhist traditions don't feel the need to do this. Surely someone who has been a Buddhist practitioner for many lifetimes will continually be drawn to follow the Dharma and their ability will be obvious for all to see. I am sure many mistakes have been made in recognising tulkus at such a young age, at least Osel has the courage to be who he truly is, an actor.
re: "We Buddhists should be watching closely when it comes to how the mainstream media treads into our world." I'd like to broaden this statement to "we readers…" The amount of inaccurate and incomplete information in all media is probably staggering. We only see this one because of our specific knowledge. Imagine how much inaccurate stuff we read (and write) and believe simply because we don't know better. Honestly, what a great way to be reminded that "we don't know."
Well, Sylvia — that should go without saying, but I guess it doesnt, so thanks for saying it!
I just find this whole thing fascinating and a little too complex for short opinions. Osel certainly isn't the first tulku to "stray from the path" and won't be the last. And is it not possible for him to teach the Dharma outside of the the monastic system and not wearing robes? Could not a little time of "rebellion" be of benefit or a source of wisdom?
The issue of accurate reporting is certainly a solid contention here. But the obstacles to good understanding are huge. We have very little understanding of Buddhism or even the self in the West, let alone reincarnation or the intricacies of the Tibetan monastic system. And mass media always wants to distill things down to a simple "thing" with a label and a fixed meaning. Just because Osel does not conform to a oversimplified media objectification does not mean Buddhists need to freak out.
As far as Osel wanting to go to Burningman and make movies, well I have found both to have brought great improvements in my practice and view. The attractions of sensual life, and my daughter, keep me from choosing renunciation again and again. So what? Do we throw away Christianity because of war or adultery? sheesh…
form is emptiness and emptiness is form, form is neither emptiness nor emptiness form…
I think that's what they say…
If this story is bogus, then why has FPMT removed all their pages on Osel from their site. If the press has this story wrong, then why do that?
Why not take this young man at his word instead of twisting oneself into contortions in order to explain him away and justify one's own presumption that he really is an "enlightened" being. Frankly, the whole "tulku" business is worrisome to me. Nor is Osel the only tulku to walk away from this tradition or talk about the inherent cruelty of this medieval system- separation from family, enforced celibacy, strict religious training, separation from "non-tulkus", being raised by monks, being worshipped and prostrated to, being treated as if he were wisdom incarnate instead of what he is…a young man who is no different from scores of other young men.
My hat is off to Osel Hitta and I wish him the very best. They say he is a film student. Well, he should be able to make one hell of an interesting documentary! And I hope he does. I will see it if it is made.
The original interview with Osel is now available through Go Beyond Words.
http://gobeyondwords.wordpress.com/2009/06/02/tem…
Well done, Joe. Thanks!
Hello, Leo. The best guess i can give you right now is that the FPMT may have removed Osel from their site a while ago, at his request. It's been documented for a while now that he wanted to lay low and just be an ordinary young man, as much as is possible.
As for the discussion about the tulku system: i think talking about this is good too, and I again would point out that others, such as the One City blog folks, are doing just that — as are SunSpace readers, such as yourself.
(And, I'd see his movie, too!)
Osel speaks! Check it out: http://www.shambhalasun.com/sunspace/?p=9695
Osels' response:
http://www.fpmt.org/teachers/osel/
"but we, and many of our friends in the Buddhist blogosphere, are all about "good" Buddhists and "good" news. That's our main function, and if we cant lead the way for everyone, we'll lead the way for at least those who want to follow that positive direction".
This sounds suspiciously like you approve of censorship and spin.. 'Good' doesn't neccessarily equate with 'truthful'. If a politician uttered those above words of yours about focusing on good news stories we would justifiably label them a spin doctor. You probably intended to point out that Buddhism is, or should be, in the long-term a positive, enriching path. But it has long been a criticism aimed at the bigger western Buddhist conglomerates that they try to hush-up the events and behaviours that don't confirm to the bright, shiny, happy face of transplanted Buddhism incorporated. If there had been more honesty and transparency about the activities of Trungpa's Regent, perhaps people wouldn't have had cause to feel so let down at that time.
Sorry, Buddhagirl. Perhaps I miscommunicated. No, I'm not for censorship. ("Spin" may be a different matter, in that sometimes you have to counter spin with spin just to get things back on track.)
I think that the FPMT didnt "hush things up" is the best thing (not that I would have expected them to do otherwise) — and that when we dont hush things up, that's the best, because it allows for a fuller, more honest dialogue about the issue(s) at hand. Which is what seems to be happening.
When you see how the mainstream media distort and sensationalize to get their story, you get a sense of how maligned the New Kadampa Tradition (NKT) has been since the 1990s and the two articles in the Guardian and Independent..