Boy chosen by Dalai Lama turns back on Buddhist order

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May 31, 2009 (Guardian)

Well good for him.

Osel Hita Torres, the boy chosen by the Dalai Lama as the reincarnation of a deceased spiritual leader has basically told the Tibetan religious community to go pound sand. He isn't interested in being the reincarnation of anyone.

From the above Guardian article.

Yesterday he bemoaned the misery of a youth deprived of television, football and girls. Movies were also forbidden – except for a sanctioned screening of The Golden Child starring Eddie Murphy, about a kidnapped child lama with magical powers. "I never felt like that boy," he said.

The only movie he saw as a child was The Golden Child starring Eddie Murphy?

I have to confess, I have always been fascinated with this selection process. The Dalai Lama was selected as a child and he certainly is a sharp guy. I figured they must be doing something right.

I was wrong. It's child abuse. If you want to live a monastic life, more power to you, but no child should be separated from his parents and placed into it.

Torres is back in his native country, Spain, studying film. Hopefully, he's also drinking to excess and chasing after lots of women to make up for lost time.



June 3, 2009
Here is a link to a NY Times review of Unmistaken Child, a search for the reincarnation of another dead Tibetan master.




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