The reincarnated soul boy in Tibetan Buddhism

The reincarnated soul boy	The reincarnated soul boy

As one of the primary characteristics of Tibetan religion, the reincarnation system for the Living Buddhas is based on the theory of the reincarnation of the soul, and was produced to solve the problem of the succession of religious leaders.
The reincarnation of the two great Living Buddha systems of Dalai and Panchen Lamas has its own traditional procedures. The primary gist include the reincarnation prophesy of the late Lama before his death, portents of unusual phenomena occurring around the death, and the oracles of the Buddhist guardians. The search for the soul boy must be conducted in secret. And the search party usually consists of living Buddhas with high reputation and the disciples close to the late Lama, who will be dispatched in disguise after a religious retreat and scour Tibet for the soul boys. All the candidates will be tested with the late Lama’s possessions, putting his musical instruments and articles together with things alike and asking the candidates to identify their predecessor’s belongs. The accuracy of their choice will finally decide who will be chosen and who will be eliminated.
After the soul boy is authorized by the Central Government, the grand enthronement Ceremony will be held and the soul boy will succeed to the religious power. Thereafter, he will start religious practice as a new generation of Dalai or Panchen Lama, receiving the believers’ worship.