Enthronement: The Recognition of the Reincarnate Masters of Tibet and the Himalayas

The doctrine of reincarnation is central to Tibetan Buddhism, for it is through reincarnation that its inspired masters are believed to transmit their spiritual authority from one generation to the next, from one body to the next. A sort of What You Always Wanted to Know About Reincarnation but Were Afraid to Ask, this book examines the death rites and explains how the reincarnated masters are recognized in their new forms. A rich historical perspective is provided in the discussion of one particularly celebrated case--the death of Kalu Rinpoche in 1989 and the recognition of the youthful reincarnated master who had been born to the wife of Lama Gyaltsen, Drolkar, 18 months after Rinpoche's death. This case is augmented by an interview with another incarnate spiritual master and leader of the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism: Tai Situpa Rinpoche. Tai Situpa is well known in the West and is often called upon to find and recognize other reincarnated masters. These stories precede the central text of the book, which describes the enthronement ritual and procedures for the enthronement of a reincarnated master. The book also contains a glossary and informative footnotes. (Aug.)