The Dalai Lama urged respect for all faiths and stressed the role of education in creating tolerance as his visit to Washington, D.C., culminated on Oct. 10 with a teaching on Buddhism at American University.
Tibetans in traditional garb filed into the 6,000-seat arena to mingle with AU students, Western Buddhists, and hundreds of curious Washingtonians who came to the see the spiritual leader and head of the Tibetan government-in-exile.
“Every time I see him, it’s like seeing him for the first time,” said Tsering Lamo, of Vienna, Va., of the self-described “simple monk” who has won the Nobel Peace Prize and U.S. Congressional Gold Medal. “He’s inspirational. He’s a role model. Because of him, many Tibetans go to non-violence.”
Lamo, who is Tibetan, came to the AU teaching with a friend from China, Vicki Wang. All political differences aside, “there is no border in Buddhism. It is such an honor to see him,” said Wang, spinning a Buddhist prayer wheel.
The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, sat cross-legged on a large gold armchair under a towering thangka, or painted religious banner, that stretched from the ceiling of Bender Arena to the floor of the dais. Around him sat dozens of monks in maroon and saffron robes. It was the Dalai Lama’s second time at AU, where he also gave a teaching in 1998.
The teaching, “The Heart of Change: Finding Wisdom in the Modern World,” began with chanting in Sanskrit, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Tibetan.
“To build religious harmony, we must know different traditions and their concepts, and through that, we can develop respect, which is the foundation for harmony,” said the Dalai Lama, who spoke mainly in English but sometimes with the help of a Tibetan translator.
He explored the concept of a soul, which in the Buddhist tradition, cannot be viewed separately from the body and mind, but also cannot be said to have a beginning or an end. The talk revolved around what he called the three fundamental questions: What is the “I”? Does it have a beginning? Does it have an end?
“This, my body, now is over 70 years old,” he said, but it is not the same body he had as a child. Just as the body has changed, so has the mind. Even on the atomic level, the physical self is in constant flux.
The self exists due to the body and mind, yet “we could trace material continuity of our body to conception, and then back to the big bang. We can find material causes of our body even at the beginning of the universe,” he said.
Buddhism calls on its followers to recognize the self as impermanent as “an antidote to reduce extreme self-centeredness.” Other religions have different beliefs, but aim towards a similar effect by different . . . In each case, the philosophical framework serves to move the faithful away from self-absorption.
Yet, he said, there are contradictions between religions and within religions. Buddhism has multiple sects, and the world’s major religions have different notions of an afterlife, soul and creator. This serves the purpose of addressing the “different mental dispositions” of the world’s people. “There are six billion human beings. Just one religion is simply not sufficient,” he said.
Becoming educated about other religions helps to develop tolerance without undermining faith, because understanding and belief are different, he said. “All people in this room should know (about other religions), so we can develop respect for all traditions. But faith is a different thing. I’m Buddhist, my faith is Buddhist,” he said, yet that doesn’t keep him from respecting other traditions or seeing similarities.
For most people, it is best to keep to the faith of their birth, he said, because they have a deeper understanding of it. A few people may be convinced that another religion suits them better and may be moved to practice it seriously, but for most, “it’s very important to keep one’s own tradition.”
As he spoke, the arena was bright with hundreds of strands of prayer flags created by children at the Katzen Arts Center or in projects at D.C. public schools with teachers mobilized by AU’s School of Education, Teaching and Health.
The morning’s teaching was followed by a symposium with leading Buddhist thinkers.
Dolma Tsering of Derwood, Md., who grew up in Nepal as the child of Tibetan refugees, saw the day as a time for people from many backgrounds to learn from the Dalai Lama’s example.
“I think it’s a good opportunity for not just Tibetans, but for Washington to learn about peace.”
By Sally Acharya, October 12, 2009, American University, Washington, DC
Monday, August 26, 2013
Dalai Lama Explores Concept of Soul
Labels:
Dalai Lama,
finding wisdom in the modern world,
sanskrit,
self as impermanent,
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washington dc
Amityville, Haunting in Connecticut & Conjuring DEBUNKED– Wednesday, August 28, 2013
By Kirby Robinson
In the short history of our show, we’ve already brought
into question the credibly of some well known psychic-mediums like Theresa Caputo
and Sylvia Browne, and TV ministers like Jim Bakker and Cindy Jacobs. We’ve
also shown the fakery of PRS [Paranormal Research Society] and the exorcist
Andrew Calder.
This week we’ll go where few, if any, radio programs
have ever gone. We’ll shine the spotlight on what most consider the most
compelling cases of demonic activity and ghost haunting in recent history.
The Amityville Horror/Haunting. In 1976, the world was
gripped by the news coming out of Amityville, New York as the Lutz family fled
from their home after living there for 28 days. They’d become victims of such
severe demonic attacks the whole story could not be told. Noted ghost hunters
and demon chasers Ed and Lorraine Warren became part of the story. Due to the popularity
of The Exorcist, the public couldn’t
get enough. The legend grew as countless movies and books came out. But the
truth was buried and the lies were told to cover up the fact that nothing paranormal
happened in the house.
The Haunting in Connecticut case focuses on demonic
activity taking place in a house that had formerly been a funeral parlor. It
was surmised that workers took part in necrophilia [sex with dead people] and
necromancy [raising the dead]. When the parlor went out of business the spirits
of the dead stayed along with a host of demons.
In the 1980s, the Snedekers moved into the home so Carmen,
the mother, could take her cancer stricken son to a nearby hospital for daily
treatment. Almost as soon as the family moved in the haunting began. Ed and Lorraine
Warren along with John Zaffis were called in to investigate the case. It was
brought to a close once an exorcism was performed.
Unlike the Amityville case, this one had the benefit
of the internet and the growing interest in the paranormal to help build up
lots of smoke. The books and a successful movie stoked the fires but has the
truth ever been told? Have independent researchers ever had a chance to look at
the evidence?
The case behind The
Conjuring. Not since The Exorcist
has a horror film that had any ties to a real case [outside of maybe the Texas Chainsaw Massacre] captured the
attention of America. The Perron family moved into an historic home in rural
Rhode Island, enduring 10 years of haunting by dark spirits.
Ed and Lorraine Warren once again play a part in it.
How legit are the case notes? Are the Warrens even
legit?
Over the course of our 2 hours together, we’ll study
as much information as we can. This is information that the supporters of these
hoaxes DON’T want you to know.
Tune in learn the truth and make up your own mind.
NOTE: Due to the overwhelming amount of information,
this may be a 2-part series.
As a weekly feature, Kirby will also share some book
reviews and recommendations, as well as his infamous incredible "BAD BAD
Thing Awards."
Showtime begins at 7 PM [PST] or 10 PM [EST]. See this page for more information:
Here’s last week's
show—Bad Psychics – with Even Worse Intentions:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/god-discussion/2013/08/22/bad-psychics-with-even-worse-intentions
EARN EXTRA MONEY! If you have a website,
forum or blog you can set up an Amazon Associates Affiliate Program link and
sell the Kindle version of our
books. "Is the Long Island Medium the Real Deal?" [Now in paperback],
"Never Mock
God: An Unauthorized Investigation into Paranormal State's 'I Am Six' Case"
[also in paperback!], "Investigating Paranormal State," "Paranormal
State Exposed" and "Paranormal Teachings: The Best of Shedding Some
Light" and earn money. You can also sell other books and products that
Amazon offers. Here's the link: https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/
Labels:
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Andrew Calder,
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conjuring,
ed and lorraine warren,
haunting in connecticut,
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John Zaffis,
prs,
Sylvia Browne,
The Exorcist,
theresa caputo
Saturday, August 24, 2013
"Angelology" What Are Angels And What Do We know About Them?
Please note that this is Biblical/my opinion. There are so many sub topics to go over in order to produce “Angelology” in a nut shell. I could go on for days and days. Many people view the Bible differently or not at all. I’m just barely putting a knot in it.
Angels are spirit beings created by Christ. They were created holy and with the ability to choose to remain in that state or to follow Satan (Lucifer, the morning star, son of the dawn) in his fall. Demons came from among the group of angels that fell with Satan and they are actively at work in the world today working against God and Christians. Angels are very active in the Bible and God used them as messengers, warriors, and servants. The word "angel" comes from the Greek word "angelos" which means "messenger." Angels are spiritual beings without bodies of flesh and bones, though they seem to have the ability to appear in human for (GEN 19 1-22). Angels had many functions. ), and were sometimes instruments of God's judgment (Matt. 13:49-50).
The Bible tells us that God created the angels and that at some time in the distant past there was a rebellion in heaven and many of the angels fell. Apparently, it was the elect angels that did not fall (1 Tim. 5:21). The Bible says that angels were created by Christ (Col. 1:16), that they carry out the will of God (Psalm 103:20; Matt. 6:10), they worship God and Christ (Phil. 2:9-11; Heb. 1:6), are The angels who remained faithful to God are confirmed in their holiness and they act as God's messengers being involved with believers. The angels learn from believers and have a ministry with those who shall be heirs of salvation. Someday believers will take part in judging the angels (I Corinthians 6:3).wise (2 Sam. 14:20), mighty (Psalm 103:20), holy (Matt. 25:31), and innumerable, (Heb. 12:22). However, angels are not to be worshipped. Believers in Christ has their own angel. Many have even encountered angels and not even known about it. Hebrews says, “Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it“(13:1-2)
Written by Jennifer Auld
Angels are spirit beings created by Christ. They were created holy and with the ability to choose to remain in that state or to follow Satan (Lucifer, the morning star, son of the dawn) in his fall. Demons came from among the group of angels that fell with Satan and they are actively at work in the world today working against God and Christians. Angels are very active in the Bible and God used them as messengers, warriors, and servants. The word "angel" comes from the Greek word "angelos" which means "messenger." Angels are spiritual beings without bodies of flesh and bones, though they seem to have the ability to appear in human for (GEN 19 1-22). Angels had many functions. ), and were sometimes instruments of God's judgment (Matt. 13:49-50).
The Bible tells us that God created the angels and that at some time in the distant past there was a rebellion in heaven and many of the angels fell. Apparently, it was the elect angels that did not fall (1 Tim. 5:21). The Bible says that angels were created by Christ (Col. 1:16), that they carry out the will of God (Psalm 103:20; Matt. 6:10), they worship God and Christ (Phil. 2:9-11; Heb. 1:6), are The angels who remained faithful to God are confirmed in their holiness and they act as God's messengers being involved with believers. The angels learn from believers and have a ministry with those who shall be heirs of salvation. Someday believers will take part in judging the angels (I Corinthians 6:3).wise (2 Sam. 14:20), mighty (Psalm 103:20), holy (Matt. 25:31), and innumerable, (Heb. 12:22). However, angels are not to be worshipped. Believers in Christ has their own angel. Many have even encountered angels and not even known about it. Hebrews says, “Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it“(13:1-2)
Written by Jennifer Auld
Labels:
angelology,
angelos,
bible,
christ,
christians,
demons,
satan
Friday, August 23, 2013
Deliverance versus Exorcism
By Evangelist Stephen Piersall
God's Preservation Ministry, sfprs.org
First thing to identify is exorcism is Catholic based, and non-Catholics do deliverance sessions. Both provide the same result in removing demons from people’s lives, by the name of Jesus Christ our LORD and Savior. Deliverance has more focus on the inner healing, starting with Salvation, and ending with Christian counseling with follow-up of how your life is revolving around God.
An exorcism occurs by following the “Ritual Rite of Exorcism – 1999." Turn 1999 upside down and you can see 666. Things that make you go Hmmmmm?
Approval is required at the highest level of the Catholic chain of command before this procedure is accomplished. An exorcism is a specific ritual and is already composed so that the Priest and his assistants can follow in the systematic process.
Only one case has transpired that a person has died during this procedure. Most often referred to as “The Exorcism of Emily Rose," which is the true story of Anneliese Michel from the mid 1970’s. Because her exorcism was heavily indwelled with many top demons, many Priests had been involved over the years, and unfortunately, she eventually died of malnutrition and pneumonia.
Sometimes with difficult cases like this, the Bible tells us, we must pray and fast for a period, until God gives us the wisdom and discernment of how to proceed. Here is a partial list of common symptoms of diabolical possession contrary to psychological sickness; Ineffectiveness of medicine, opposition to what is sacred, susceptibility to holy water and blessings, violent, furious and aggressive reactions.
If a psychiatrist is taking too much time to heal the mentally sick and his medicines seem to be ineffective, it is better for the psychologist to recommend the patient to see an exorcist. Sometimes, demons can impair an individual, which creates a mental illness. The only other option, which is rarely used, is to seek out a Priest.
Since involving yours truly with Deliverance ministry since 2010 and have accomplished many cases since, that evidence bears out that often cases are different from another. Deliverance ministry gets into the root of how it started. With God’s Preservation Ministry (sfprs.org/), we believe in research first. We have every potential client complete a consent form to protect us legally and a lengthy questionnaire of their past. This gives us a solid foundation to start to commence. Often there are hidden issues that are deeply buried within the client and do not appear until the Deliverance session.
Today, because of Satan’s influence with the media: TV, movies, music, literature, video games, etc. We endanger ourselves to evil and on many levels, and you can get your five minutes of fame by becoming one of many Para-celebrities. Which in 1984, the movie “Ghostbusters” came out and everybody wanted to do ghost hunting despite Deuteronomy 18:9-15 showing us it is sinful.
Because of all that, “we” have to be careful and have some certainty with clients coming forward asking for help. Are they seeking fame? Are they mentally ill? Are they really possessed or oppressed? Thus, the in-depth research we do with every single case. Most importantly, we must be right with God, and prepare ourselves with prayer, fasting, and using all of our senses and working with a minimum of two people at all times.
Demonic spirits are all around us every day looking for an opportunity to start trouble. The most common method is they have a “Legal Right” to be within a person. This is a direct violation of the laws of scripture. This “entry point” is because the person is emotionally or spiritually weak. In the case of a person not being a Christian, they are large targets for the demonic to possess them. Christians can only suffer from oppression by evil because of their sins.
If the person decides they need deliverance, they will have to make some lifestyle changes. Daily habits of praying, reading the Bible, forgiving others, doing the best they can at their stage of a relationship with Jesus, try to be Christ like, etc. The person must deal with these areas of sin by closing these entryways, and receive inner healing from God before we can perform a deliverance session.
God loves us, and wants us to demonstrate adulation to him too. Completing the deliverance session and continuing the pursuit of a Christian lifestyle will bring about life changes in our attitude, spiritually, mentally in life. The rewards are many for those who walk the straight and narrow. The main goal of deliverance, or any healing ministry, is not simply to experience the power of Jesus or even to fight against and defeat evil. It is to minister the love of God. Jesus used his power to show his love as illustrated in the four Gospels. Jesus is a great role model for us on how we should conform.
God's Preservation Ministry, sfprs.org
First thing to identify is exorcism is Catholic based, and non-Catholics do deliverance sessions. Both provide the same result in removing demons from people’s lives, by the name of Jesus Christ our LORD and Savior. Deliverance has more focus on the inner healing, starting with Salvation, and ending with Christian counseling with follow-up of how your life is revolving around God.
An exorcism occurs by following the “Ritual Rite of Exorcism – 1999." Turn 1999 upside down and you can see 666. Things that make you go Hmmmmm?
Approval is required at the highest level of the Catholic chain of command before this procedure is accomplished. An exorcism is a specific ritual and is already composed so that the Priest and his assistants can follow in the systematic process.
Only one case has transpired that a person has died during this procedure. Most often referred to as “The Exorcism of Emily Rose," which is the true story of Anneliese Michel from the mid 1970’s. Because her exorcism was heavily indwelled with many top demons, many Priests had been involved over the years, and unfortunately, she eventually died of malnutrition and pneumonia.
Sometimes with difficult cases like this, the Bible tells us, we must pray and fast for a period, until God gives us the wisdom and discernment of how to proceed. Here is a partial list of common symptoms of diabolical possession contrary to psychological sickness; Ineffectiveness of medicine, opposition to what is sacred, susceptibility to holy water and blessings, violent, furious and aggressive reactions.
If a psychiatrist is taking too much time to heal the mentally sick and his medicines seem to be ineffective, it is better for the psychologist to recommend the patient to see an exorcist. Sometimes, demons can impair an individual, which creates a mental illness. The only other option, which is rarely used, is to seek out a Priest.
Since involving yours truly with Deliverance ministry since 2010 and have accomplished many cases since, that evidence bears out that often cases are different from another. Deliverance ministry gets into the root of how it started. With God’s Preservation Ministry (sfprs.org/), we believe in research first. We have every potential client complete a consent form to protect us legally and a lengthy questionnaire of their past. This gives us a solid foundation to start to commence. Often there are hidden issues that are deeply buried within the client and do not appear until the Deliverance session.
Today, because of Satan’s influence with the media: TV, movies, music, literature, video games, etc. We endanger ourselves to evil and on many levels, and you can get your five minutes of fame by becoming one of many Para-celebrities. Which in 1984, the movie “Ghostbusters” came out and everybody wanted to do ghost hunting despite Deuteronomy 18:9-15 showing us it is sinful.
Because of all that, “we” have to be careful and have some certainty with clients coming forward asking for help. Are they seeking fame? Are they mentally ill? Are they really possessed or oppressed? Thus, the in-depth research we do with every single case. Most importantly, we must be right with God, and prepare ourselves with prayer, fasting, and using all of our senses and working with a minimum of two people at all times.
Demonic spirits are all around us every day looking for an opportunity to start trouble. The most common method is they have a “Legal Right” to be within a person. This is a direct violation of the laws of scripture. This “entry point” is because the person is emotionally or spiritually weak. In the case of a person not being a Christian, they are large targets for the demonic to possess them. Christians can only suffer from oppression by evil because of their sins.
If the person decides they need deliverance, they will have to make some lifestyle changes. Daily habits of praying, reading the Bible, forgiving others, doing the best they can at their stage of a relationship with Jesus, try to be Christ like, etc. The person must deal with these areas of sin by closing these entryways, and receive inner healing from God before we can perform a deliverance session.
God loves us, and wants us to demonstrate adulation to him too. Completing the deliverance session and continuing the pursuit of a Christian lifestyle will bring about life changes in our attitude, spiritually, mentally in life. The rewards are many for those who walk the straight and narrow. The main goal of deliverance, or any healing ministry, is not simply to experience the power of Jesus or even to fight against and defeat evil. It is to minister the love of God. Jesus used his power to show his love as illustrated in the four Gospels. Jesus is a great role model for us on how we should conform.
Labels:
anneliese michel,
catholic ghostbusters,
christian counseling,
deliverance,
diabolical possession,
exorcism,
ritual rite of exorcism
The Foundation of a Biblical Worldview
By Reverend Mark Hunnemann
Last time we asked the question: is it possible to access
the mind of God? We noted that the beautifully staggering truth is "yes,
we can"--that is precisely what the bible is...God revealing some of His
mind to us. I wonder, as bible-believing Christians, if we sufficiently
appreciate the astonishing wonderment of God speaking to us...revealing His
mind to us? As we shall see, this self-disclosure of God provides the
foundation for everything--certainly everything pertaining to our worldview.
A provisional definition of a worldview is best conveyed
like this: to see with a biblical worldview is to see all of reality through
God's eyes...to see it as He does. Or we could put it like this: a worldview is
how we view God and the universe, and our relationship to both. I suppose if
there is one thing unique about my book, it is that it teaches about the nature
and importance of worldviews. Worldviews are like spectacles through which we
view the world, and it effects how we think, feel, and behave. We almost always
hold them unconsciously, unless we systematically discuss them as we are now.
This is not secret knowledge, like gnosticism/occult, but it is rare, even
among pastors, to know how to think with a full-orbed biblical worldview
In my book I list what I consider the seven components of
any worldview...
1.
What is the nature of God or ultimate reality?
2.
What is your purpose in life?
3.
What is the nature of reality?
4.
Is history going anywhere?
5.
What is the basis for morality?
6.
What does it mean to be human (essential traits of
being human)?
7.
What happens to us after we die?
Let me ask three questions: do you see how utterly basic
these questions are...how divergent the answers would be depending upon whom we
asked...and how seriously impoverished and "lost" one's life would be
if they lacked certitude regarding them? Sometimes stating a thing negatively
can have some shock value which is conducive to learning...like this. "I
have no clue as to what God is like...no idea why I should get out of bed
because I have no clear purpose...I think reality is all in my head...morality
is whatever feels right to me....humans are just apes with little hair...we are
annihilated when we die...I think..." Get my point??!!
Before I proceed any further, I believe that one of the best
ways we learn is just by doing. So, the next time you read a novel, go to an
art gallery, watch a TV program or movie, and so on, please ask yourself how
they/it are "answering" each of the above seven questions. Obviously,
the movie director is not going to have one of his cast say, "Hey, this is
the worldview of this film...god is energy, pleasure is our purpose...and so
on...!" It takes listening carefully to dialogue, and other factors, to
pick up the explicit or implicit expressions of the seven worldview components.
That is, put into practice the habit of viewing everything through a biblical
worldview. But that involves being able
to spot the distortions in one's worldview spectacles,as they are presented on the
silver screen or in the novel, ect...After awhile it becomes second nature. We
need to develop a distinctively Christian mind if wish to have a substantive
impact on our culture (Rom 12:1-2)
I want to introduce a philosophical term--epistemology--a
branch of philosophy which deals with the validity, nature, and extent of human
knowledge. Put another way--it deals with how we know, and how we know we
know..Christians should know this term because it lies at the heart of what
ails our country We are not experiencing a generation gap, but instead we are
experiencing an epistemological gap (which at root is spiritual in nature).
Which has led to what some call "culture wars"Let me explain.
One-hundred years ago there was a basically Christian ethos
in our country.. If you were to ask the average person off the street any/all
of the seven questions above, most would have given an answer that was roughly
based on the bible. If someone disagreed with them in conversation, it was
understood that one of them was wrong...or both were. Today the responses to
the above questions would be all over the map, leaning heavily toward New
Age/neo-gnostic beliefs. And to even gently assert that someone is wrong is
taken as an offense...absolute truth lies bleeding in the street. Yes, it is an
epistemological gap. How we acquire knowledge regarding basic issues has
radically changed.
The seven questions above, which comprise one's worldview,
are either answered by God's revelation or man's autonomous speculation. These
differing presuppositions lead to radically differing conclusions..as we shall
see. Is it not instructive that the first temptation was epistemological in
nature? Says Satan/serpant, "C'mon Eve, use your autonomous mind to
determine right and wrong...and you'll also discover that YOU are the real
god....be a big girl and THINK FOR YOURSELF." How we gain knowledge is the
key to everything...we either fear God and attain true knowledge of reality or
we trust in ourselves and distort reality.
Where do you go to answer these questions? What is your
final court of appeal in answering life's most basic questions? Do you look
inward...to your intuition...your experience...what your heart says--or do you
look outside of yourself to the Living God who created heaven and earth, who in
His kindness and love, has spoken true-truth to us in His written Word?
Let's go to Psalm 119 to get just a glimpse into what the
biblical worldview is. Our epistemic assumption is that we can access the mind
of God, and this is done via His special revelation in the bible. ALL
knowledge, certainly all the knowledge pertaining to the seven questions above,
can only be answered by accessing the mind of God--because we are incapable of
ascertaining the answers autonomously...
Please read these verses carefully, and in light of these
basic questions. As a philosophy major, it was a beautifully stimulating
experience to see the basic questions philosophers had been asking for
millennia, and how the bible fit like hand-in-glove in answering them!
"Oh how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the
day." (119:97)
"I have more understanding than all my teachers, for
Your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the aged, for I keep
your precepts." (vv. 99-100)
"Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my
path."(v. 105)
"How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it
according to Your Word." (v.9)
"I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not Your
commandments from me." (V.19)
"Righteous are You, O Lord, and right are Your rules."
(v. 137)
"The sum of Your Word is truth, and every one of Your
righteous rules endures forever. (v.160)
"Your hands have made me and fashioned me; give me
understanding that that I may learn Your commandments." (v. 73)
"Forever, O Lord, Your Word is firmly fixed in the
heavens. Your faithfulness endures to all generations; You have established the
earth, and it stands fast. By Your appointment they stand this day, for all
things are Your servants." (vvs. 89-91)
Please forgive my repetition, but these concepts are new to
some, and they are vitally important for us to understand (for a whole slew of
reasons) Epistemology accents the wonderment of having God's personal
revelation to us--explaining who He is....who we are....the nature of the
universe--and our relationship to both. Using just Psalm 119 let us give a
brief review of a biblical worldview.
1. What
is the nature of God or ultimate reality? (119: 89-91, 137) The word used for
God throughout the psalm is LORD....which is Yahweh in the OT--this is the
covenant Name of God. He is infinite/personal God who created the heavens and
earth...all creation is His servant. Energy is not ultimate reality.
2. What
is our purpose in life? Frankly, had Yahweh not revealed this to us, our lives
would be utterly meaningless. (v.97) speaks of loving the bible of God, and the
God of the bible..the Great Commandment is our noble purpose as redeemed
humans. (v.73) God Himself made and fashioned us...we are not cosmic accidents
or descendants of monkeys. And of course Jesus Himself declares that loving God
is the greatest commandment. Think of all the alternatives we have come up with
to replace loving God as our purpose (or dominant life value, as some put
it)...as Calvin said, we are idol factories.
3. What
is the nature of reality? It is not an illusion. Matter/energy is not eternal.
(v.89-91) Again, we see that there is a distinction between
the Creator and His creation. There are two basic types of reality--the self
existent and eternal Creator, and His creation which He created ex nihilo. The
physical world is not the full circumference of reality--there is an unseen,
spiritual dimension as well. I finally saw The Conjuring movie last
night--about Ed and Lorraine Warren who were pioneer demonologists. The movie
did a surprisingly good job of expressing the reality of supernatural evil.
4. Where
is history going? LORD...Yahweh is the faithful God of the covenants--the flow
of history (including your personal history) has meaning because history is
His-story. The whole psalm points to a God who will hold us accountable for our
thoughts, words, and deeds. (v. 19) that we are sojourners here, means that we
are preparing to go home! Eastern thought tends to see history as moving in
endless, meaningless cycles..NO!
5. What
is the basis for morality...or how do we distinguish right from wrong? (v 9,
137, 160) A young person can discover right and wrong by meditating on God's
word, which is entirely truthful. Because God is righteous, His laws are
righteous..forever. We know that right and wrong are based on the unchanging
character of God, as expressed in his written Word. If energy is ultimate
reality, then there is no adequate basis for morality. Or if we base it on
anything other than God's Word, then it is not a sufficient basis for morality.
6. What
does it mean to be human (essential traits)?
v.73 God made us and fashioned us in the womb ( see Ps. 139--fearfully
and wonderfully made!) Human beings are not self-referential...As John Calvin
said, knowledge of ourselves and knowledge of God are inextricably bound
together in a thousand different ways, since we are made in His image. We are
certainly not animals or glorified monkeys. We are noble, but we are sinners as
well.
7. What
happens when we die? Again, we are called "sojourners on earth" (v.
19) We are just passing through this time/place before we enter our eternal
rest. We are a body/soul composite, and when we die our soul immediately goes
before the Holy Judge of heaven and earth. Death is determinitive of our
eternal destiny--either eternity in heaven or hell. At the Last Judgment we
will be reunited with our glorified bodies. Hence, any notion of "trapped
souls" is repugnant to scripture and to God's holy character. Ed and
Lorraine Warren got this issue wrong--unfortunately. Annihilation is also
wrong-headed.
(89-91, 99-100,160) All of this discussion would be for
naught if it were not for the truth of these verses.The infinite and personal
God of the everlasting covenant is really there, and He has not remained
silent. His Word is true truth (forever His Word is fixed in heaven) Every one
of His righteous rules endures forever. Amen!
Have you ever heard someone say, "I have 35 years
researching the paranormal."? I certainly have, and it is often (not
always) used as a fact to buttress the force of their argument against what I
or someone else has said that contradicted a claim of theirs. Here the psalmist
states that he has more true knowledge than his teachers BECAUSE it is grounded
in the granite of revealed truth, and not in the shifting sands of man's
autonomous speculation.
I have mentioned this example before but it bears repeating:
an unbelieving friend of mine, who specializes in getting rid of spirits who
are hostile (and they stay busy all year), loudly proclaims two things: they
have nearly 40 years of experience, and they have never, ever seen a demon!
This is usually followed by a sarcastic, withering criticism of those who
stupidly believe that all ghosts are demons. This person is my friend and it
grieves me that they are so blind that they cannot even recognize demons when
they are attacking or harassing them. Every classic criteria used to determine
demonic presence has been met many times over, and yet they still refuse to see
reality clearly...tragic, but quite common.If our worldview glasses are
distorting our perception of reality, then decades of experience will only make
one more foolish in their understanding of the world.
There are no answers to the seven questions above if our
epistemology is not grounded in the Word of God. That is, if we do not look to
God's revelation to learn what: God is like, the nature of reality, our purpose
in life, what is right and wrong...and so on, then we have no adequate
foundation for acquiring any knowledge. This may not be exciting, but please
know that this is bedrock foundation for building a biblical worldview...reason
for getting out of bed and not committing suicide. I am baffled by this
optimism which is grounded in a worldview in which impersonal energy is
Ultimate reality....that kind of optimism has both feet planted firmly in
mid-air.
Each question is SO basic...if only one is wrong or even
partially distorted, it will seriously impact ones life. Yet the majority of
people in the world have all of them (seven questions above) partially or
totally wrong! Why? Because their epistemology is wrong. This is not rocket
science...we either humbly look to God to answer life's most basic questions,
or we pridefully look to ourselves...revelation or speculation. We DO have
access to the mind of God through the Holy Bible--and that is the foundation of
a biblical worldview! Please do try to watch and read with these questions in
mind this week...
P.S I still need someone to help revamp my website...please!
Thank you... mark
Labels:
biblical worldview,
christians,
ed and lorraine warren,
gnosticism,
God,
john calvin,
meditation,
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occult,
testimonies,
word of god,
yahweh
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Issue 131 – Paranormal Potpourri 3 ~ More Stinky Fake Para-Celebrities!
By Kirby Robinson
The paranormal potpourri keeps getting stinkier! Has
the era of debunking fakes and frauds ended? Lisa Livingston Martin -- master historian or master distorter? The Murder Bordello gets a release date while the public gets screwed.
Listen
to tonight’s radio show Bad Psychics with
Bad Intentions [7 PST/ 10 EST]
Mark Your Calendars ~ August 28 Eye on the Paranormal Radio Show
Special Program
We’ll spend 2 hours on the topics of the Amityville Horror Haunting and The Conjuring. We’ll expose the fakery
behind the Amityville Horror, The Haunting in Connecticut and my
concerns about them.
Tune in and let the truth set you free from the lies
and deceptions.
Paranormal Debunking – the Field Keeps Shrinking
Have 99.9% of the so-called paranormal debunkers lost their
guts? It seems to be the case as more
and more blogs and websites are disappearing or becoming only a tool to make
money from ads and links. Guess it’s like the old adage – if you can’t beat
them, join them.
I understand why. Debunking and exposing lies and
fakery can be a lonely life. You’re not welcome at paranormal conventions. Your
calls are never put through on radio programs. If you share a possible show
topic with many of the radio shows you’ll get no response or if you do it’ll be
“I’d love to but the network’s owner tells me you’re not allowed on the network.”
Inundated with difficulties? Life does tend to pile things
on you: marriages, divorces, kids being born, kids leaving home, the economy’s
far from good. Still you wonder why the falling away?
Some want to be friends to those they have to keep an
eye on. That’s impossible and a clear violation of the ethics of being a good
reporter. Sure, you can exchange emails and say hello, but to become friends
puts one in a perilous ethical position. What happens when you uncover
something less than good on that person…do you report it or let it slide?
Some websites claim they’re still in the debunking
business but if you take a close look at their updates you won’t find it
relates to a para-reality show, fake para-celebrity, fake psychic or a fake
haunting case.
Some have chosen to only go after the almighty dollar
and use YouTube and the website to get hits which equals money while not really
debunking anything.
Others have been scared off by the saber rattling by
the fakers that get uncovered. When they do, they threaten to sue. They refuse to understand that
not only freedom of speech protects them but being a news reporter gives then
additional protection along with the fact that once a person becomes a public
figure the rules change. If you have truth on your side and your facts lined up,
why back down?
Sadly, the giant egos that rule the rest of the
paranormal field also rules the shrinking debunker field. Many times we’ve
reached out to organize the debunkers to create a unified front, but to no avail.
Let others fall to side. Let others sellout. Let
others become just as fake as the ones they report on. Rest assured, the EYE ON
THE PARANORMAL won’t shut, won’t blink or break. There is much more truth to reveal
and deceptions to uncover.
Mockumentary About Galena, KS Murder Bordello Teaser Released
Sadly just about everything in the teaser is a lie. In
the first few seconds, you’ll hear a scripted narration. Note to the Klinge Brothers
you might want to start going to church. You can pray for all your sins of
lying, cheating, and using people, and learn that when one dies they can’t hold
off from going to heaven or hell.
On a side note, we noticed that Mr. Coffey has been
packing on the pounds in the midsection. Due to a concern for his health, we
suggest that he cut back on the baloney a little.
Be Rude to Your Elders!
Carolyn McLean has been around since the middle of the
last century and is the only person in Galena leading the fight against all
these lies have been flying about. Apparently, she’s asked too many questions and
by doing so has received a very rude response from one of the managers of Proof
of Paranormal Society on their Facebook page. Managers Cindy Adams DeRossett and Michelle Shackelford Yancey have a great love for fake para-celebs.
Proof Of Paranormal Society wrote: "Dear Ms. McLean:
2 things I’ve learned from your post: 1) You were hoping for an interview and
didn’t get one 2) You have more time on your hands than most normal people. The
idea that you have SOUGHT OUT our page to address a post from a MONTH AGO to
spew your ugly story so you could be heard is astounding, not to mention sad.
There are people you have named and those associated with the production are
personal friends of ours and as I know my name, know they would not KNOWINGLY
or maliciously deceive the public nor would they go to the time and expense to
produce a ruse (DUH). Could it be, that YOUR facts are not clear? Could it be
that these people WHO INVESTIGATE & UNEARTH HISTORY FOR A LIVING might have
better skills at discovering evidence than you? What is clear to me, ma’am, is
that your slander comes on the heels of being butt-sore for not getting your 15
minutes of fame. Run along now. Your slander has earned you a block from this
page. However, and finally, we send you light and love in hopes you take the
opportunity to seek happiness and positive energy in your life. ~ The POPS Crew
"He who angers you conquers you." ~Elizabeth Kenny "Holding on
to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone
else; you are the one who gets burned." - Buddha"
Lisa Livingston-Martin – Master Historian or Master Distorter?
One of the persons that we’ve yet to take a look at is
Lisa Livingston-Martin, who seems to want her share of the fake para-celeb pie.
She’s written a book called Missouri’s Wicked Route 66:
Gangsters and Outlaws on the Mother Road that after my first read-through has issues. Most cases
she writes about took place prior to the road being built. It seems to be just on
par with a long high school term paper. There is no new research presented, and
little, if any, proof offered to the reader to back up her claims of the alleged
Murder Bordello’s location. She writes that it’s located on Main Street yet she
shows no proof of this.
Now that we know the Klinge Brothers intend to focus
on Route 66 in the DVD series we have to ask what kind of role will she be
playing in the series? How much information did she feed Chip Coffey? Is she
making any money off the nightly ghost hunting fees for the house?
It seems that she’s a ghost hunter and even appeared on
a recent My Ghost Story: Caught on Camera.
Next week we’ll break that appearance down.
The EYE ON THE PARANORMAL wants you as a blogger!
Want to join the best team of paranormal reporters? Do
you want your blog to get hits and comments? If so, you can blog for us. Please
contact: freeallspirits@live.com
Keep current and follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/eyeonparanormal
EARN
EXTRA MONEY! If you have a website, forum or blog you can set up an Amazon
Associates Affiliate Program link and sell the Kindle version of our books. "Is the Long Island Medium the Real
Deal?" [Now in Paperback!], "Never Mock God: An Unauthorized Investigation into
Paranormal State's 'I Am Six' Case" [also in paperback!], "Investigating
Paranormal State," "Paranormal State Exposed" and "Paranormal
Teachings: The Best of Shedding Some Light" and earn money. You can also
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Labels:
carolyn mclean,
chip coffey,
cindy adams derossett,
debunking,
galena,
klinge brothers,
ks murder bordello,
lisa livingston-martin,
michelle shackelford yancey,
proof of paranormal society
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
The Dalai Lama on Reincarnation, Part 4
By The Dalai Lama
Continued from:
The Dalai Lama on Reincarnation, Part 1
The Dalai Lama on Reincarnation, Part 2
The Dalai Lama on Reincarnation, Part 3
Using the Golden Urn
As the degenerate age gets worse, and as more reincarnations of high Lamas are being recognized, some of them for political motives, increasing numbers have been recognized through inappropriate and questionable means, as a result of which huge damage has been done to the Dharma.
During the conflict between Tibet and the Gurkhas (1791-93) the Tibetan Government had to call on Manchu military support. Consequently the Gurkha military was expelled from Tibet, but afterwards Manchu officials made a 29-point proposal on the pretext of making the Tibetan Government’s administration more efficient. This proposal included the suggestion of picking lots from a Golden Urn to decide on the recognition of the reincarnations of the Dalai Lamas, Panchen Lamas and Hutuktus, a Mongolian title given to high Lamas. Therefore, this procedure was followed in the case of recognizing some reincarnations of the Dalai Lama, Panchen Lama and other high Lamas. The ritual to be followed was written by the Eighth Dalai Lama Jampel Gyatso. Even after such a system had been introduced, this procedure was dispensed with for the Ninth, Thirteenth and myself, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama.
Even in the case of the Tenth Dalai Lama, the authentic reincarnation had already been found and in reality this procedure was not followed, but in order to humour the Manchus it was merely announced that this procedure had been observed.
The Golden Urn system was actually used only in the cases of the Eleventh and Twelfth Dalai Lamas. However, the Twelfth Dalai Lama had already been recognized before the procedure was employed. Therefore, there has only been one occasion when a Dalai Lama was recognized by using this method. Likewise, among the reincarnations of the Panchen Lama, apart from the Eighth and the Ninth, there have been no instances of this method being employed. This system was imposed by the Manchus, but Tibetans had no faith in it because it lacked any spiritual quality. However, if it were to be used honestly, it seems that we could consider it as similar to the manner of divination employing the dough-ball method (zen tak).
In 1880, during the recognition of the Thirteenth Dalai Lama as the reincarnation of the Twelfth, traces of the Priest-Patron relationship between Tibet and the Manchus still existed. He was recognized as the unmistaken reincarnation by the Eighth Panchen Lama, the predictions of the Nechung and Samye oracles and by observing visions that appeared in Lhamoi Latso, therefore the Golden Urn procedure was not followed. This can be clearly understood from the Thirteenth Dalai Lama’s final testament of the Water-Monkey Year (1933) in which he states:
“As you all know, I was selected not in the customary way of picking lots from the golden urn, but my selection was foretold and divined. In accordance with these divinations and prophecies I was recognized as the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama and enthroned.”
When I was recognized as the Fourteenth incarnation of the Dalai Lama in 1939, the Priest-Patron relationship between Tibet and China had already come to an end. Therefore, there was no question of any need to confirm the reincarnation by employing the Golden Urn. It is well-known that the then Regent of Tibet and the Tibetan National Assembly had followed the procedure for recognizing the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation taking account of the predictions of high Lamas, oracles and the visions seen in Lhamoi Latso; the Chinese had no involvement in it whatever. Nevertheless, some concerned officials of the Guomintang later cunningly spread lies in the newspapers claiming that they had agreed to forego the use of the Golden Urn and that Wu Chung-tsin presided over my enthronement, and so on. This lie was exposed by Ngabo Ngawang Jigme, the Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, who the People’s Republic of China considered to be a most progressive person, at the Second Session of the Fifth People’s Congress of the Tibet Autonomous Region (31st July 1989). This is clear, when, at the end of his speech, in which he gave a detailed explanation of events and presented documentary evidence, he demanded: “What need is there for the Communist Party to follow suit and continue the lies of the Guomintang?”
Deceptive strategy and false hopes
In the recent past, there have been cases of irresponsible managers of wealthy Lama-estates who indulged in improper methods to recognize reincarnations, which have undermined the Dharma, the monastic community and our society. Moreover, since the Manchu era Chinese political authorities repeatedly engaged in various deceitful means using Buddhism, Buddhist masters and Tulkus as tools to fulfil their political ends as they involved themselves in Tibetan and Mongolian affairs. Today, the authoritarian rulers of the People’s Republic of China, who as communists reject religion, but still involve themselves in religious affairs, have imposed a so-called re-education campaign and declared the so-called Order No. Five, concerning the control and recognition of reincarnations, which came into force on 1st September 2007. This is outrageous and disgraceful. The enforcement of various inappropriate methods for recognizing reincarnations to eradicate our unique Tibetan cultural traditions is doing damage that will be difficult to repair.
Moreover, they say they are waiting for my death and will recognize a Fifteenth Dalai Lama of their choice. It is clear from their recent rules and regulations and subsequent declarations that they have a detailed strategy to deceive Tibetans, followers of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and the world community. Therefore, as I have a responsibility to protect the Dharma and sentient beings and counter such detrimental schemes, I make the following declaration.
The next incarnation of the Dalai Lama
As I mentioned earlier, reincarnation is a phenomenon which should take place either through the voluntary choice of the concerned person or at least on the strength of his or her karma, merit and prayers. Therefore, the person who reincarnates has sole legitimate authority over where and how he or she takes rebirth and how that reincarnation is to be recognized. It is a reality that no one else can force the person concerned, or manipulate him or her. It is particularly inappropriate for Chinese communists, who explicitly reject even the idea of past and future lives, let alone the concept of reincarnate Tulkus, to meddle in the system of reincarnation and especially the reincarnations of the Dalai Lamas and Panchen Lamas. Such brazen meddling contradicts their own political ideology and reveals their double standards. Should this situation continue in the future, it will be impossible for Tibetans and those who follow the Tibetan Buddhist tradition to acknowledge or accept it.
When I am about ninety I will consult the high Lamas of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions, the Tibetan public, and other concerned people who follow Tibetan Buddhism, and re-evaluate whether the institution of the Dalai Lama should continue or not. On that basis we will take a decision. If it is decided that the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama should continue and there is a need for the Fifteenth Dalai Lama to be recognized, responsibility for doing so will primarily rest on the concerned officers of the Dalai Lama’s Gaden Phodrang Trust. They should consult the various heads of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions and the reliable oath-bound Dharma Protectors who are linked inseparably to the lineage of the Dalai Lamas. They should seek advice and direction from these concerned beings and carry out the procedures of search and recognition in accordance with past tradition. I shall leave clear written instructions about this. Bear in mind that, apart from the reincarnation recognized through such legitimate methods, no recognition or acceptance should be given to a candidate chosen for political ends by anyone, including those in the People’s Republic of China.
Continued from:
The Dalai Lama on Reincarnation, Part 1
The Dalai Lama on Reincarnation, Part 2
The Dalai Lama on Reincarnation, Part 3
Using the Golden Urn
As the degenerate age gets worse, and as more reincarnations of high Lamas are being recognized, some of them for political motives, increasing numbers have been recognized through inappropriate and questionable means, as a result of which huge damage has been done to the Dharma.
During the conflict between Tibet and the Gurkhas (1791-93) the Tibetan Government had to call on Manchu military support. Consequently the Gurkha military was expelled from Tibet, but afterwards Manchu officials made a 29-point proposal on the pretext of making the Tibetan Government’s administration more efficient. This proposal included the suggestion of picking lots from a Golden Urn to decide on the recognition of the reincarnations of the Dalai Lamas, Panchen Lamas and Hutuktus, a Mongolian title given to high Lamas. Therefore, this procedure was followed in the case of recognizing some reincarnations of the Dalai Lama, Panchen Lama and other high Lamas. The ritual to be followed was written by the Eighth Dalai Lama Jampel Gyatso. Even after such a system had been introduced, this procedure was dispensed with for the Ninth, Thirteenth and myself, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama.
Even in the case of the Tenth Dalai Lama, the authentic reincarnation had already been found and in reality this procedure was not followed, but in order to humour the Manchus it was merely announced that this procedure had been observed.
The Golden Urn system was actually used only in the cases of the Eleventh and Twelfth Dalai Lamas. However, the Twelfth Dalai Lama had already been recognized before the procedure was employed. Therefore, there has only been one occasion when a Dalai Lama was recognized by using this method. Likewise, among the reincarnations of the Panchen Lama, apart from the Eighth and the Ninth, there have been no instances of this method being employed. This system was imposed by the Manchus, but Tibetans had no faith in it because it lacked any spiritual quality. However, if it were to be used honestly, it seems that we could consider it as similar to the manner of divination employing the dough-ball method (zen tak).
In 1880, during the recognition of the Thirteenth Dalai Lama as the reincarnation of the Twelfth, traces of the Priest-Patron relationship between Tibet and the Manchus still existed. He was recognized as the unmistaken reincarnation by the Eighth Panchen Lama, the predictions of the Nechung and Samye oracles and by observing visions that appeared in Lhamoi Latso, therefore the Golden Urn procedure was not followed. This can be clearly understood from the Thirteenth Dalai Lama’s final testament of the Water-Monkey Year (1933) in which he states:
“As you all know, I was selected not in the customary way of picking lots from the golden urn, but my selection was foretold and divined. In accordance with these divinations and prophecies I was recognized as the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama and enthroned.”
When I was recognized as the Fourteenth incarnation of the Dalai Lama in 1939, the Priest-Patron relationship between Tibet and China had already come to an end. Therefore, there was no question of any need to confirm the reincarnation by employing the Golden Urn. It is well-known that the then Regent of Tibet and the Tibetan National Assembly had followed the procedure for recognizing the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation taking account of the predictions of high Lamas, oracles and the visions seen in Lhamoi Latso; the Chinese had no involvement in it whatever. Nevertheless, some concerned officials of the Guomintang later cunningly spread lies in the newspapers claiming that they had agreed to forego the use of the Golden Urn and that Wu Chung-tsin presided over my enthronement, and so on. This lie was exposed by Ngabo Ngawang Jigme, the Vice-Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, who the People’s Republic of China considered to be a most progressive person, at the Second Session of the Fifth People’s Congress of the Tibet Autonomous Region (31st July 1989). This is clear, when, at the end of his speech, in which he gave a detailed explanation of events and presented documentary evidence, he demanded: “What need is there for the Communist Party to follow suit and continue the lies of the Guomintang?”
Deceptive strategy and false hopes
In the recent past, there have been cases of irresponsible managers of wealthy Lama-estates who indulged in improper methods to recognize reincarnations, which have undermined the Dharma, the monastic community and our society. Moreover, since the Manchu era Chinese political authorities repeatedly engaged in various deceitful means using Buddhism, Buddhist masters and Tulkus as tools to fulfil their political ends as they involved themselves in Tibetan and Mongolian affairs. Today, the authoritarian rulers of the People’s Republic of China, who as communists reject religion, but still involve themselves in religious affairs, have imposed a so-called re-education campaign and declared the so-called Order No. Five, concerning the control and recognition of reincarnations, which came into force on 1st September 2007. This is outrageous and disgraceful. The enforcement of various inappropriate methods for recognizing reincarnations to eradicate our unique Tibetan cultural traditions is doing damage that will be difficult to repair.
Moreover, they say they are waiting for my death and will recognize a Fifteenth Dalai Lama of their choice. It is clear from their recent rules and regulations and subsequent declarations that they have a detailed strategy to deceive Tibetans, followers of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition and the world community. Therefore, as I have a responsibility to protect the Dharma and sentient beings and counter such detrimental schemes, I make the following declaration.
The next incarnation of the Dalai Lama
As I mentioned earlier, reincarnation is a phenomenon which should take place either through the voluntary choice of the concerned person or at least on the strength of his or her karma, merit and prayers. Therefore, the person who reincarnates has sole legitimate authority over where and how he or she takes rebirth and how that reincarnation is to be recognized. It is a reality that no one else can force the person concerned, or manipulate him or her. It is particularly inappropriate for Chinese communists, who explicitly reject even the idea of past and future lives, let alone the concept of reincarnate Tulkus, to meddle in the system of reincarnation and especially the reincarnations of the Dalai Lamas and Panchen Lamas. Such brazen meddling contradicts their own political ideology and reveals their double standards. Should this situation continue in the future, it will be impossible for Tibetans and those who follow the Tibetan Buddhist tradition to acknowledge or accept it.
When I am about ninety I will consult the high Lamas of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions, the Tibetan public, and other concerned people who follow Tibetan Buddhism, and re-evaluate whether the institution of the Dalai Lama should continue or not. On that basis we will take a decision. If it is decided that the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama should continue and there is a need for the Fifteenth Dalai Lama to be recognized, responsibility for doing so will primarily rest on the concerned officers of the Dalai Lama’s Gaden Phodrang Trust. They should consult the various heads of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions and the reliable oath-bound Dharma Protectors who are linked inseparably to the lineage of the Dalai Lamas. They should seek advice and direction from these concerned beings and carry out the procedures of search and recognition in accordance with past tradition. I shall leave clear written instructions about this. Bear in mind that, apart from the reincarnation recognized through such legitimate methods, no recognition or acceptance should be given to a candidate chosen for political ends by anyone, including those in the People’s Republic of China.
Labels:
dalai lama incarnation,
gaden phodrang trust,
golden urn,
gurkhas,
manchu,
nechung oracle,
Panchen Lama,
rebirth,
reincarnation,
samye oracle,
tibetan buddhism
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