Attentive readers may remember the story of Osel from August 2018's post ... the reincarnation of Lama Yeshe, his rejection of guru status, reconciliation with his roots ...
His visit to the nearby Land of Joy therefore seemed an opportunity to fill out the story ... so, on Sunday, a bright and frosty first day of December, the gompa was filled with 50 folks eager to hear from him ... and his contemporary message ...
His entrance was preceded by many repetitions of the magical mantra Om Mani Padme Hum, a mantra practiced by the writer some years ago ... Osel arrived, performed prostrations to the images of Buddha, HHDL, Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa, greeted the audience with a smile and investigated questions from the floor ...including the whole question of gurus and specifically a question from a young woman as to what one should do if the Guru's actions are out of sync with the instinct of the devotee ... a very pertinent question given the cases of errant gurus exploiting disciples in all traditions ... in the context of the gompa filled with folks mostly adhering to the guru system, Osel worked round it, declining any guru status for himself and clearly stating that he sides with the victim in such cases ... the broader and blunter question of the shared responsibility of the consequences of giving over our power and following an allegedly enlightened human stayed as a thought best not expressed ... the return of the temporarily transcended ego, encouraged by eager acolytes, being a trap for unwary teachers and students alike ...
Anyway, the very personable Osel seemed clear enough about being cautious of the Guru system, but somehow the early conditioning in the monastery pertains and the afternoon talk concluded with a recitation of a long life prayer for Osel and a long queue of eager fans seeking a traditional white scarf blessing, inferring Lama status previously rejected ...
If all this sounds cynical, it's not ... sceptical yes ... and all to be explored with the open minded staff at Land of Joy later in the month during woodland working week ...
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