A tulku is a fully enlightened one (buddha) or highly accomplished adept (siddha) who chooses to be reborn again and again for the benefit of all beings. Most Tulkus, though, are the rebirths of well-trained masters who are engaged in spiritual training and serving others. Tibetan Buddhists have, for well over a millennium, been meticulously following the tradition of finding, recognizing, enthroning, training, and venerating these revered figures who provide teachings of liberation for both monks and laypeople. This guide to the tulku tradition covers its long history, separating fact from fiction, giving an overview of how the system works, and providing short biographies of some of the great tulkus of the past and present. Included are accounts of the magical occurrences that are associated with these remarkable beings, and advice for how anyone can set out on the tulku path.

Incarnation: The History and Mysticism of the Tulku Tradition of Tibet, Tulku Thondup Rinpoche, Shambhala Publications, Paperback, 178 pp,
$ 18.95

Tulku Thondup Rinpoche was born in East Tibet and was recognized to be a tulku at age five. He studied at Tibet's famed Dodrupchen Monastery, settling in India in 1958, and teaching for many years in its universities. He came to the United States in 1980 as a visiting scholar at Harvard University. He lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts,where he writes, translates, and teaches under the auspices of the Buddhayana Foundation. His numerous books include The Healing Power of Mind and Boundless Healing.

	Contents: INCARNATION: The History and Mysticism of the Tulku Tradition of Tibet
	Preface	vii
	Acknowledgments	ix
1.	An Overview of the Three Types of Tulkus	1
2.	The History of the Tulku Tradition	5
3.	The Four Foundations of the Tulku Principle	9
	The Three Buddha-bodies	9
	The Enlightened Aspirations	15
	Karma	16
	Rebirth	17
4.	The Three Main Types of Tulku	19
	Tulkus of Buddhas	19
	Tulkus of Adepts	21
	Tulkus of Virtuous Lamas	22
5.	The Secondary Types of Tulkus	24
	Unrecognized Tulkus	24
	Blessed Tulkus	32
	Fallen Tulkus	34
	False Tulkus	42
6.	The Discovery and Recognition of Tulkus	45
	Lamas Who Foretell Where They Will Take Rebirth	45
	Tulkus Who Say Who They Were When They Start Speaking	52
	Tulkus Who Exhibit Their Unique Qualities in Childhood	59
	Tulkus Recognized by High Lamas	62
	Tulkus Prophesied in the Distant Past	71
	Tulkus Who Discover Treasures (Ter) through the Power of Their Past Memories	71
	Recognition and Enthronement Ceremonies	73
7.	Miraculous Deaths	75
	Miraculous Deaths of Tulkus of the Old Tantra Lineage	77
	The Attainment of Rainbow Body	78
	The Attainment of Rainbow Body of Great Transference	81
	Flying Away to Pure Lands without Leaving a Trace	83
	Leaving with Miracles, Lights, and Ringsel	84
	Taking Rebirth in Pure Lands	90
	Leaving Profound Testaments	92
	Miraculous Deaths of Tulkus of the New Tantra Lineage	94
	Transforming the Body into Vajra Light	94
	Going to the Pure Lands without Leaving a Body	95
	Displaying Great Miracles	95
	Materializing Sacred Symbols	101
	Miraculous Lives	103
	Taking Rebirth in the Pure Lands	103
	Tulkus Who Live and Die as Ordinary People	104
8.	Miracles of Adepts versus Paranormal Events	105
9.	Common Questions	111
10.	How to Become and Function as a Tulku	120
	Anyone Can Become a Tulku	120
	Starting on the Path to Tulkuhood	121
	The Four Major Tasks that Tulkus Must Fulfill	124
	Glossary	129
	Bibliography with Abbreviations Key	139
	Notes	145
	Credits	155
	Index	157
	About the Author	163