Difference between revisions of "The meaning of Tulku"
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| − | It seems the Tibetan custom of applying the epithet | + | It seems the [[Tibetan]] {{Wiki|custom}} of applying the [[epithet]] ‘[[Tulku]]’ ([[Buddha’s]] [[Emanation Body]]) to [[recognized]] [[reincarnations]] began when {{Wiki|devotees}} used it as an {{Wiki|honorary}} title, but it has since become a common expression. In {{Wiki|general}}, the term [[Tulku]] refers to a particular aspect of the [[Buddha]], one of the three or four described in the [[Sutra]] [[Vehicle]]. According to this explanation of these aspects of the [[Buddha]], a [[person]] who is totally bound by [[destructive emotions]] and [[karma]] has the potential to achieve the [[Truth Body]] ([[Dharmakaya]]), comprising the [[Wisdom Truth Body]] and [[Nature Truth Body]]. The former refers to the [[enlightened]] [[mind]] of a [[Buddha]], which sees everything directly and precisely, as it is, in an instant. It has been cleared of all [[destructive emotions]], as well as their imprints, through the [[accumulation of merit]] and [[wisdom]] over a long period of [[time]]. The latter, the [[Nature Truth Body]], refers to the [[empty]] {{Wiki|nature}} of that all-knowing [[enlightened]] [[mind]]. These two together are aspects of the [[Buddhas]] for themselves. However, as they are not directly accessible to others, but only amongst the [[Buddhas]] themselves, it is imperative that the [[Buddhas]] [[manifest]] in [[physical]] [[forms]] that are accessible to [[sentient beings]] in [[order]] to help them. Hence, the [[ultimate]] [[physical]] aspect of a [[Buddha]] is the [[Body]] of Complete [[Enjoyment]] ([[Sambhogakaya]]), which is accessible to {{Wiki|superior}} [[Bodhisattvas]], and has five definite qualifications such as residing in the [[Akanishta]] [[Heaven]]. And from the [[Body]] of Complete [[Enjoyment]] are [[manifested]] the myriad [[Emanation]] [[Bodies]] or [[Tulkus]] ([[Nirmanakaya]]), of the [[Buddhas]], which appear as [[gods]] or [[humans]] and are accessible even to ordinary [[beings]]. These two [[physical]] aspects of the [[Buddha]] are termed [[Form]] [[Bodies]], which are meant for others.
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| − | The Emanation Body is three-fold: a) the Supreme Emanation Body like Shakyamuni Buddha, the historical Buddha, who manifested the twelve deeds of a Buddha such as being born in the place he chose and so forth; b) the Artistic Emanation Body which serves others by appearing as craftsmen, artists and so on; and c) the Incarnate Emanation Body, according to which Buddhas appear in various forms such as human beings, deities, rivers, bridges, medicinal plants, and trees to help sentient beings. Of these three types of Emanation Body, the reincarnations of spiritual masters recognized and known as | + | The [[Emanation Body]] is three-fold: a) the [[Supreme]] [[Emanation Body]] like [[Shakyamuni Buddha]], the [[historical Buddha]], who [[manifested]] the twelve [[deeds]] of a [[Buddha]] such as {{Wiki|being}} born in the place he chose and so forth; b) the Artistic [[Emanation Body]] which serves others by appearing as craftsmen, {{Wiki|artists}} and so on; and c) the [[Incarnate]] [[Emanation Body]], according to which [[Buddhas]] appear in various [[forms]] such as [[human beings]], [[deities]], [[rivers]], [[bridges]], medicinal [[plants]], and [[trees]] to help [[sentient beings]]. Of these three types of [[Emanation Body]], the [[reincarnations]] of [[spiritual]] [[masters]] [[recognized]] and known as ‘[[Tulkus]]’ in [[Tibet]] come under the third category. Among these [[Tulkus]] there may be many who are truly qualified [[Incarnate]] [[Emanation]] [[Bodies]] of the [[Buddhas]], but this does not necessarily apply to all of them. Amongst the [[Tulkus]] of [[Tibet]] there may be those who are [[reincarnations]] of {{Wiki|superior}} [[Bodhisattvas]], [[Bodhisattvas]] on the [[paths]] of [[accumulation]] and preparation, as well as [[masters]] who are evidently yet to enter these [[Bodhisattva]] [[paths]]. Therefore, the title of [[Tulku]] is given to [[reincarnate]] [[Lamas]] either on the grounds of their resembling [[enlightened]] [[beings]] or through their connection to certain qualities of [[enlightened]] [[beings]]. |
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As Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo said:
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As [[Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo]] said:
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| − | + | “[[Reincarnation]] is what happens when someone takes [[rebirth]] after the predecessor’s passing away; [[emanation]] is when [[manifestations]] take place without the source’s passing away.”
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{{R}} | {{R}} | ||
[http://www.dalailama.com/biography/reincarnation /www.dalailama.com] | [http://www.dalailama.com/biography/reincarnation /www.dalailama.com] | ||
Latest revision as of 12:08, 24 September 2013
It seems the Tibetan custom of applying the epithet ‘Tulku’ (Buddha’s Emanation Body) to recognized reincarnations began when devotees used it as an honorary title, but it has since become a common expression. In general, the term Tulku refers to a particular aspect of the Buddha, one of the three or four described in the Sutra Vehicle. According to this explanation of these aspects of the Buddha, a person who is totally bound by destructive emotions and karma has the potential to achieve the Truth Body (Dharmakaya), comprising the Wisdom Truth Body and Nature Truth Body. The former refers to the enlightened mind of a Buddha, which sees everything directly and precisely, as it is, in an instant. It has been cleared of all destructive emotions, as well as their imprints, through the accumulation of merit and wisdom over a long period of time. The latter, the Nature Truth Body, refers to the empty nature of that all-knowing enlightened mind. These two together are aspects of the Buddhas for themselves. However, as they are not directly accessible to others, but only amongst the Buddhas themselves, it is imperative that the Buddhas manifest in physical forms that are accessible to sentient beings in order to help them. Hence, the ultimate physical aspect of a Buddha is the Body of Complete Enjoyment (Sambhogakaya), which is accessible to superior Bodhisattvas, and has five definite qualifications such as residing in the Akanishta Heaven. And from the Body of Complete Enjoyment are manifested the myriad Emanation Bodies or Tulkus (Nirmanakaya), of the Buddhas, which appear as gods or humans and are accessible even to ordinary beings. These two physical aspects of the Buddha are termed Form Bodies, which are meant for others.
The Emanation Body is three-fold: a) the Supreme Emanation Body like Shakyamuni Buddha, the historical Buddha, who manifested the twelve deeds of a Buddha such as being born in the place he chose and so forth; b) the Artistic Emanation Body which serves others by appearing as craftsmen, artists and so on; and c) the Incarnate Emanation Body, according to which Buddhas appear in various forms such as human beings, deities, rivers, bridges, medicinal plants, and trees to help sentient beings. Of these three types of Emanation Body, the reincarnations of spiritual masters recognized and known as ‘Tulkus’ in Tibet come under the third category. Among these Tulkus there may be many who are truly qualified Incarnate Emanation Bodies of the Buddhas, but this does not necessarily apply to all of them. Amongst the Tulkus of Tibet there may be those who are reincarnations of superior Bodhisattvas, Bodhisattvas on the paths of accumulation and preparation, as well as masters who are evidently yet to enter these Bodhisattva paths. Therefore, the title of Tulku is given to reincarnate Lamas either on the grounds of their resembling enlightened beings or through their connection to certain qualities of enlightened beings.
As Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo said:
“Reincarnation is what happens when someone takes rebirth after the predecessor’s passing away; emanation is when manifestations take place without the source’s passing away.”
