The movie, Seven Years in Tibet, starring Brad Pitt, highlighted the religious conflict of that nation for many people living in the West. For those looking for a detailed "insiders account" of more recent Tibetan political and spiritual struggles (from a Western point of view), look no further.
Rogues in Robes pulls back the curtains on the behind-the-scenes drama surrounding the search for the 17th Karmapa. The author provides insightful historical background, which proves interesing in and of itself, and sets the stage for this "real life" adventure.
The social fabric of the old Tibet was very much determined by the institution of the tulku. Nine centuries ago, Karmapa Pakshi, as a small child, declared himself to be the incarnation of the recently deceased Karmapa Dusun Khyenpa. From that time on, Karmapa kept coming back in an unbroken sequence of embodiments that has spanned nine hundred years. In similar manner, other highly realized lamas consciously reincarnate, bringing the mind's enlightened qualities of life after life into contact with their students. Hundreds of tulkus manifested throughout Tibet and the system served as a unique mechanism for preserving an unbroken transmission of Buddha's teachings.
Over the centuries, however, monasteries and their incarnate tulkus grew in wealth and started to wield considerable influence upon the social and political life of the country. A number of tulkus assumed political roles in addition to their religious duties. To locate and deliver the new incaranation of a tulku to his old monastery was to gain influence over, in some instances, a sizable amount of wealth and territory. In many cases the criteria according to which the incarnates were recognized left much room to maneuver, so the process became an instrument for political infighting.
Roges in Robes is a personal account of events by a Western observer. A two-year, chronological review of the happenings that nearly brought the Kagyu School under Communist Chinese control....Let the facts speak for themselves.
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