Pondering Tibetan Buddhist Alterity in Peter Dickinsonâs Tulku
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Abstract
Peter Dickinsonâs acclaimed English novel of 1979, Tulku, is primarily an exploration of the Tibetan Buddhist custom of discerning in children reincarnations of deceased spiritual leaders who are subsequently trained to assume positions of responsibility. This fascinating work also examines other dimensions of contemplative monastic Buddhism in a remote Himalayan setting, chiefly in a lamasery. On a broader scale, Dickinson addresses such themes as the supposedly peaceful nature of the national religion in question, relations between that faith and Christianity, the possibility of finding merit in religions other than oneâs own, and the role of illusion in religious belief and practice. In the present article these matters are considered against the backdrop of evolving Western images of and attitudes towards Tibet generally, its form of Buddhism in particular, and the problematic practice of discovering reincarnated tulkus.
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Pondering Tibetan Buddhist Alterity in Peter Dickinsonâs Tulku
In: Religion and TheologySearch for other papers by Frederick Hale in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Abstract
Peter Dickinsonâs acclaimed English novel of 1979, Tulku, is primarily an exploration of the Tibetan Buddhist custom of discerning in children reincarnations of deceased spiritual leaders who are subsequently trained to assume positions of responsibility. This fascinating work also examines other dimensions of contemplative monastic Buddhism in a remote Himalayan setting, chiefly in a lamasery. On a broader scale, Dickinson addresses such themes as the supposedly peaceful nature of the national religion in question, relations between that faith and Christianity, the possibility of finding merit in religions other than oneâs own, and the role of illusion in religious belief and practice. In the present article these matters are considered against the backdrop of evolving Western images of and attitudes towards Tibet generally, its form of Buddhism in particular, and the problematic practice of discovering reincarnated tulkus.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 413 | 78 | 3 |
| Full Text Views | 49 | 4 | 0 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 32 | 5 | 0 |
