Reincarnation: The Boy Lama

by Vicki Mackenzie

Reincarnation tells the remarkable story of a child destined to become one of the most important and unusual spiritual leaders of our time. Osel Hita Torres became the focus of world attention when he was recognized by the Dalai Lama as the reincarnation of Lama Yeshe (beloved teacher and author of Introduction to Tantra, and others), who died in California in March 1984. This story tells of Lama Yeshe's life, death, and rebirth as the little Lama Osel, while explaining the controversial phenomenon of reincarnation in a clear, engaging, and practical way.

Genres: Buddhism, Nonfiction, Biography, Religion

192 pages, Paperback

First published October 31, 1988

Reviews

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book for the first time during my exam time in my last year at university. It was a very busy time for me, preparing for exams, working om my thesis and my dad was at the hospital at that time so I took my mother in the evening to visit him. During my short moments of free time , I read this book. I was already a couple of years very interested in buddhism and this was one of the books I wanted to read, especially because its topic is reincarnation. I gave it 5 stars when I joined Goodreads.

Review after my second read :

After more than 30 years, this book is still as pleasant and interesting to read. The author writes in such an easy to read style and it's fascinating to read about how the system works to find the reincarnation of a Tibetan monk. You could split the book in 2 parts : the first part is about how the author got into contact with Lama Yeshe and what kind of man he was. The second part is about finding his reincarnation and how the boy who is the reincarnation, evolves through his first 3 years.
The book is still worth 5 stars to me.

[Nelida · Rating 4 out of 5]

An amazing journey of self discovery through meditation. When her teacher Lama Yeshe dies, she begins to look into the subject of reincarnation. Lama Yeshe, who followed his path teaching Westerners about enlightenment, decided to reincarnate in a Western child this time to continue his work. This time, born in Spain as Lama Osel. Follow him through the recognition process and beyond.

[Andromeda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The experience that this book afforded me today has once again convinced me that it is not possible to make sense of miracles.

I must have bought this book 32 years ago, when the idea of reincarnation seized my interest quite in an enormous fashion, from a bookshop that has since gone out of business. As other books on the shelf vied for my attention, "Reincarnation: The Spanish Boy Whose Destiny was to be a Tibetan Lama" remained on the shelf, waiting for its turn till this morning.

For no particular reason, my eyes fell on this book, and without a second thought, I took it off the shelf and left home for my weekend constitutional. It was only when I finished reading it that I realised that of all days it is on the Dalai Lama's 89th birthday that I decided to read the book. As I have said, I have ceased speculating about miraculous occurrences like this, and be a passive witness to what it is in store for me by the experience that event affords.

So much for how I started reading the work.

Without a doubt, Vicki Mackenzi's limpid writing style is the principal reason why I resolved to continue reading after encountering her pedestrian introduction at the beginning of the book. Being an English, especially one who might not have been thoroughly au courant with some oriental esoteric spiritual theories and concepts---albeit she showed but fragmentary understanding of the aforesaid---she would not have done a masterful job at this creative non-fiction had it not been for her faculty for writing masterfully.

What would have otherwise been rather dense and convoluted, in terms of the Tibetan concept of selecting an heir to the seat of a Lama after his demise, came out supremely well in the pen of the author. She deserves rich praises for her efforts in this respect.

I was very curious, upon reading the title, about what happened to the boy who was enthroned at such an exalted seat of a Lama. Hence, I managed to read the book to the end, but of course (I confess) scanning pages that contain ideological discussions and Buddhist philosophies, about which I am thoroughly familiar. Not wanting to be distracted or even scuppered by superfluity, I went directly to the details that I was keen on, which began on chapter 9.

I enjoyed Mackenzie's turns of phrases, clear, accessible and some melodious prose.

[Maura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my third book of Vicki Mackenzie's, all about Buddhism. She has been a skilled writer throughout, sharing an effective and enjoyable mix of people and facts, culture, philosophies and times. This book is about Tenzen Osel, the proposed reincarnation of Lama Yeshe, circa 1965. Lama Yeshe was a Tibetan monk who was exiled from Tibet when the Chinese invaded in 1959. Lama Yeshe was an unconventional and beloved monk, and controversial in his embrace of the western cultures. When he died in 1964 he shared indications that he would reincarnate and gave some clues as to where and when. About 1.5 yrs later it was determined by the Dalai Lama and others that Osel Hita Torres, born in Spain, was the reincarnation of Lama Yeshe. The book originally ended when Osel was about 3 yrs old but offers an update at 10 yrs. Mackenzie does not succumb to sensationalism. She's thoroughly presented the unfolding of these two lives and all that makes the reincarnation proposal believable, without deliberate influencing of the reader's conclusions. An excellent, thought-provoking read!

[Sarita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a timely read with the passing of Lama Zopa departing recently, to find his new vehicle. Again, I must thank Vicki Mackenzie for this open look at workings both within and without the beautiful Tibetan Buddhist world. I am not a practicing Buddhist, having found another path which suited my conditions more directly.

Having said that, ANYONE with spiritual/religous leanings would be enriched by this offering.

[Polly Trout · Rating 3 out of 5]

Half of this book is a biography of Lama Yeshe (who I have a spiritual crush on, see my review of "Introduction to Tantra"), and half of it is the story the search for his reincarnation, and the childhood of Osel Hita, believed to be Lama Yeshe. Osel is now 24, going to college, and living a private life. Reading this book made me wonder, does he experience himself as Lama Yeshe? Does he resonate with the story of Krishnamurti? Does he experience his guru identity as liberating, or stultifying? I hope he is well and happy and living an authentic life. Thinking about Osel makes me think about all the trauma poor Krishnamurti went through, and I worry for him.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating read, well researched, thought-provoking.

[Chris Lemig · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful introduction to the phenomena of the incarnted lamas of the Tibetan tradition.