reincarnate lama

In Tibetan Buddhism, a lama is a spiritual leader. Some lamas are considered reincarnations of their predecessors, known as sprul-sku lamas. This concept is rooted in the belief that enlightened beings can choose to be reborn to benefit others. The most prominent example is the Dalai Lama, believed to be the manifestation of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. The process of identifying a reincarnated lama involves consulting oracles, observing signs, and examining candidates, though the Chinese government has asserted its own methods, such as the golden urn, in this selection process.12