Latest News of Ösel Hita


Osel Hita : latest news

See more about Osel's FPMT background in our "FPMT_Bulletin"


April 2010

Ösel gives frank and revealing one-hour interview on French radio

On 14th April 2010 Radio France Culture "Sur les Docks" broadcast a one-hour programme comprising interviews with Ösel and his mother Maria in Ibiza. They spoke in English and it was interpreted into French.

In it, Ösel describes his supposed status as an incarnation of Lama Yeshe, what it means to him, what it was like studying in the Tibetan monastery in India as a child: the beatings that were given there, what he thought of that, the depression he suffered, why he left, how life in the west appeared to him when he returned - and what kind of life he wants to live now.

His mother, Maria describes how all this was for her and what she thought about it all as a student of Lama Yeshe herself. In particular, she tells of her disappointment when it was decided by whoever at FPMT to ritually 'enthrone' Ösel as Lama Yeshe's incarnation without her permission as his mother. She felt deceived, and says that enthroning Ösel like that was counter-productive since in the end it had a negative effect on the course of Ösel's close, involved and ongoing connection with FPMT.

Click to hear the programme . You'll need RealPlayer SP to play it.

March 2010

Osel to make rare Public Appearance


We are advised by a reliable source that Osel will attend the consecration of Lama Yeshe’s stupa at Boulder Creek in California on 8th May 2010.

See
http://www.vajrapani.org/Site/stupaconcecration2010.html




A recent photo of Osel with Lama Zopa Rinpoche

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February 2010 ....

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Osel is well and staying in Ibiza with his mother. He’s graduated from the College of Cinematography in Madrid and is now carrying out small projects, making short videos and films and writing movie scripts. Probably, he also has a day job.

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15th June 2009

A friend has kindly sent us some poetic words supposed to be written by Osel which sum up very neatly his position. Presented as a single verse, it goes like this:

Soy una pieza más
En este mundo tan distinto.
Si me dejas andar,
Me guio por el instinto.
Y ese, me conduce a ti.

Translated into English by our expert translator it goes as follows:

I'm just a piece
Of this very [different / diverse] world.
If you let me go [on my own],
I'll let instinct guide me.
And that will lead me to you.



5th June 2009


Osel, courtesy Osel and ‘Babylon’ Magazine

There is quite a flurry of new information and interview(s?) about and from Osel which has just been published.

It seems the above picture was first published with a long interview with Osel in the May/June 2009 edition of Babylon, a free magazine from Madrid University on Spanish culture, here:
http://www.magazinebabylon.com/BabylonMagazine5.pdf
See page 56 for the interview, in Spanish and English.

It is interesting that Osel now proclaims himself here, not as a Buddhist but as a "scientific agnostic". This seems in accord with the Dalai Lama's advice to Buddhists to put aside old "Buddhist" beliefs that are contradicted by science. It can also be argued that the Buddha himself was in his day a "scientific agnostic", turning away from all existing religions in his search for scientific truth about the nature of existence. For further details about the Dalai Lama's position on this please see http://www.jamyangstudygroup.com/OurPhilosophy.html.

An edited-down version of Osel's 'Babylon' interview was then published on 31st May 2009 in El Mundo, a Catholic Spanish newspaper. Since this newspaper is largely Roman Catholic based it seems to have selected a rather negative collection of comments from the Babylon interview, out of context in order to discredit the Tibetan Buddhist movement. For Spanish speaking readers it can be read here:
http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2009/05/30/espana/1243716606.html

A further edited-down version of this was then published on 1st June 2009 in the UK newspaper The Guardian, which also quotes Osel’s words out of context and unsympathetically presented:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/may/31/dalai-lama-osel-hita-torres

It has been stated by Dr Nick Ribush, Director of FPMT’s Lama Yeshe Wisdom Archive, that Osel was not very happy with the presentation of the secondary articles adapted from this Babylon interview and published in El Mundo and the Guardian out of their original context.

Dr Ribush has pointed to a message on the official FPMT website as being Osel's personal response and rebuttal to the Guardian and others' “distortion of the original interview” : http://www.fpmt.org/teachers/osel/.


This posting also shows a second new photo of Osel:


Though dated June 2009 and said to be “current”, this message consists mostly of statements taken en bloc and verbatim from other writings by Osel, and mainly from his letter to “Everyone working at FPMT” in October 2008 (reproduced below).

This posting on FPMT’s website coincided with the complete deletion of all FPMT’s previous official information compiled and published about Osel over the last 24 years, including his family, discovery, recognition and being sent off at a tender age for a Tibetan monastic education. It had put Osel on a something of a pedestal and idealised his monastic education as a proper training and prelude to becoming a Buddhist teacher.

The disappearance of all this 'History of Osel according to FPMT' coincides with Osel’s publication, in Babylon, of how differently he himself had experienced - and disliked - that same monastic education, and how much he disliked being put on a pedestal.

The sudden deletion appears to constitute a tacit acknowledgement by FPMT that they had made a mistake in consigning little Osel to a monastic life in India and treating him the way they had, but it is also a pity they could not leave all that interesting and valuable information on public display, for the record.

Dr Ribush, who helped found FPMT in the 1970s, has very kindly provided us with the full text of Osel's October 2008 letter to everyone of FPMT (referred to above), which reads as follows:

“Hello, and Greetings to everyone working so hard within the FPMT organization.

I am delighted to have the opportunity to add some thoughts and comments to the FPMT Handbook.

When I was much younger, like eighteen months old, between His Holiness, Lama Zopa and others, some oracles, they decided that out of ten different candidates, this one was the reincarnation of Lama Yeshe. It turns out that when I was pretty young I remembered people and situations and moments – things like that. So that gave credit to the fact that I was the reincarnation of Lama Yeshe. But as time flew on I’ve forgotten everything.

If I did remember something, I don’t remember anything anymore. The earliest memory I have is of being in Tushita Dharamsala when I was maybe – I don’t know – four years old, in the forest, something like that. I have other memories of when I was six, in Switzerland. But even though I can remember those times I don’t remember remembering anything from my previous life.

Lama Yeshe taught really, really well on so many different things and aspects of life – religion, Buddhism, your mind and the interior universe we all have. One of the things he taught was impermanence and how we all change; how we take form and leave that form, change energies and change dimensions – whatever you want to call it.

You cannot really project your expectations onto anybody or fantasize about the future, because that’s only hurting yourself, deceiving yourself. Obviously. You have to live moment by moment and find your own true teacher inside yourself.

Of course, any religion or anybody can say ‘Oh look, I found the truth here. Come and take it.’ But it’s not going to really work out, because each person has his or her own truth that they have to find. Like for example, full moon light shining in the middle of a dark forest can help you find your way, but it’s not THE way. Many people think the light is the path, but you’re not going to the moon, you’re actually trying to get out of the forest. The full moon just helps you find your way. It’s a little bit like that.

Some people seem to expect that a teacher will take them all the way, to the end. But it doesn’t really work like that. They think that because this is Lama Yeshe’s reincarnation, then for sure he’s going to do everything, teach everyone, and be just like Lama Yeshe. It’s not like that. Also, today is not like being in Tibet many years ago, or even when the hippies were in Nepal and India in the 1970s. The world has changed a bit.

I’ve changed, I’ve moved on. I’m trying to find a different way of teaching. I think FPMT is doing a great job and Lama Zopa is really, really, truly amazing. But personally, I can’t sit on a throne and give teachings.

Besides, I don’t really qualify very much in Buddhist studies, because I didn’t finish them.

So I’m trying to find another way for this future generation. One of the ways is through music, movies and audio-visual techniques. In a movie you can condense so many different stories. You can put in music; you can put in different situations and messages. Even just the sunset can be enough to give you peace to find a moment of meditation in yourself. There are so many different millions of possibilities in movies.

And not just movies, but documentaries – actually going somewhere and interviewing people who may have reached a level on their path where they are at peace with themselves.That’s kind of what I’m planning to do. But it is one thing is to plan and another for things to actually happen. So we’re back to the mental projections. But for now, that’s what I am hoping to do. ...

I’m really, really grateful for all the help everyone gave me. People really helped and supported me. Thank you for all the support and the help.I’m treading on my own path now, though I am not separated from those people who helped and supported me. It’s not at all that I don’t want to do anything anymore with the FPMT.

Then on the Handbook itself, I thought to mention the following ideas I have:

1. I really feel it is vital all centers should use the Handbook, which may not be happening fully at present. There is so much of Lama Yeshe’s advice contained in the handbook. Lama Yeshe left everything so perfectly. He was a very modern teacher.

2. Center staff, key personnel, and all residents should possibly even sit an exam on the Handbook to ensure they really know it.

3. There should be karma yoga at all centers. That was a key part of Lama Yeshe’s advice - a way to involve students at courses and events - to give them a chance to participate and contribute. There should be Morning meditation, teaching, karma yoga.

4. Then another extremely important point and one which is not always observed well - Those who have worked hard for the organization must be acknowledged, respected, and appreciated even after their contribution has ended. It is not in any way acceptable to forget, pass over, or drop anyone because they no longer directly contribute. Everyone is very important, and plays a crucial role in their position. Everyone should be equally respected, and appreciated for their help. Especially after people have finished their term of duty. It’s like ex-workers are holy and sacred. They are the foundation of the F in the FPMT and must never be forgotten or taken for granted.Thank you all so much,

To feel is to love. Even though love has many faces,
Love will unite us with our true identity.
Love created us, love keeps us moving.
One love throughout each and every one of us.


Big Love
Osel
October 2008”

EARLIER ....


18th April 2008
By Sean Jones, J-S-G co-founder and co-coordinatoR

Yesterday, 17th April 2008, my wife Ariane and I went back to the place where we met in 1993, FPMT’s ‘Institut Vajra Yogini’ centre at Lavaur, near Toulouse in France, and we had the great good fortune to spend a good 5 hours in the company of the 23rd Gomo Tulku Rinpoche, the 19-year old reincarnation of the 22nd, who was one of the (or THE?) main teachers of both Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, founders and Spiritual Directors of the FPMT.

Gomo Tulku had, he said, been sent by Lama Zopa Rinpoche to tour Lama Yeshe’s old centres in Europe and was in France in between trips to Spain and Italy.“El Gomo” as he jokingly prefers to style himself (having just come here from Spain), was born in Canada as the son of the 22nd Gomo Tulku Rinpoche’s daughter – and is thus in the extraordinary position of being his own grandson! He was born at 8 o’clock on the 8th of August - the 8th - in – wait for it - 1988. Very auspicious!!! Thus, he will be 20 years old on the opening day of the Beijing Olympics. He is truly a charismatic and highly impressive Lama – he blew our minds ... but we didn’t fall over.

He discussed at great length about his people, his constituency in Penpo, in Tibet, his monastery, and the current situation in Tibet, but this does not concern us here.He had actually just arrived from Madrid where he had been spending time with Osel, who, he told us, is his close friend from when they were both tulku students at Sera Monastery in South India.

Photo: Gomo Tulku, Institut Vajra Yogini, France, 17th April 2008.


Osel, confirmed Gomo Tulku, true to his predecessor Lama Yeshe’s mould-breaking character, had rebelled against the FPMT-designated ‘medieval’ monastic education system he had been consigned to and did drop out of Sera Monastery completely, half a dozen or so years ago, returning his monks robes and going back to Spain to do his own thing; thus dropping out also completely from FPMT's control.

After a spell at a Canadian boarding school and travelling in Switzerland and Italy he eventually decided to return to his native Spain and study film-making. He is currently completing the third year of a degree course in Cinematography at Madrid University and doing well.‘El Gomo’ told us how very close he is to Osel, and when asked if he could give an example of an enlightened being he immediately said “Osel”. They have been close friends for many years already in this life and from the way he spoke we could easily sense the deep and strong bond that exists between them.

They are both primarily interested in how they can most benefit their own generation and the coming generation of young people. They consider ODWs and FPMT students as already highly privileged and spiritually very well cared for, with plenty of teachings, lamas and gurus behind them, and they are focussing their attention on how they can create maximum benefit by helping their own generation in the west which, on the contrary, is largely bereft of Dharma and thus in far greater need. Cool!

To do this, they are therefore in the process of completely immersing themselves in contemporary youth culture and learning the language through which they can communicate directly with young adults of their own age. But whatever he does in future, Rinpoche assured, he will continue his Dharma studies, that is his paramount and overriding consideration.

‘El Gomo’ expressed a particularly strong personal interest in music and dance and dreams of being a ‘hip-hop’ superstar, and seems to find Osel’s interest in film and video fully compatible. One assumes they might be planning to work together. Both love music, said el Gomo; he prefers hip-hop himself while Osel likes trance and techno; and both enjoy listening to Eminem together. He also talked a lot about films they liked.

Gomo said he would leave Sera Monastery in August and travel to Spain to link up with Osel and start their work together. He would take his Dharma teacher with him, who is the Abbot of Sera Monastery, and this, he hoped would enable him not only to continue his higher Buddhist studies but also to pass on to Osel the essence of the higher teachings which he (Osel) had missed by leaving the monastery earlier.

I do not wish to reveal any further details of the various visions explained and the ideas to transcend Dharma and change the world that were speculated about, since this might create obstacles to their fruition. However, suffice it to say that Ariane and I felt enormously reassured to know that Osel has such a strong friend behind him as Gomo Tulku Rinpoche, and very happy to learn that they seem intent on working together for the maximum benefit of their own generation.

Osel may be lost to FPMT, but his entire generation will be the needy beneficiaries.Watch this space!This is largely my own interpretation of what we heard and learned from “El Gomo” yesterday and I take full responsibility for any distortion.

Sean

The above account is adapted from a report posted on the “Old Dharamsala Wallahs” social networking site and the following is a brief selection of the comments and exchanges that ensued from this posting:

From Fabrizio:
Dear Sean,

I really appreciate your blog on Gomo Rinpoche. Rinpoche was truly an extraordinary Lama in his past life. I had the fortune of spending a lot of time with Rinpoche when he first came to Italy in the mid eighties. In three months Rinpoche gave more than 200 initiations, teachings, commentaries, fire pujas, lama dances, public talks and much more. It seemed like for him 24 hours had the length of 48, so much activities he was able to accomplish. I know the young Rinpoche as well, if he manages to finish his studies at the monastery he will be so beneficial for the Dharma in the west. Likewise we all know that lama was a great yogi and accomplished being, so, they might appear a little eccentric as Lamas, that's how they are going to benefit people. I have more but for later, got to run now

Thanks, Fabrizio, glad you appreciated. We told El Gomo we were friends of yours and he said "who?" then he said "oh, the ice-cream guy?" and we said "that's the one!" Are you in the ice cream business? Give me a large one, please.


At the moment he is considering going to the USA after August instead of continuing to take his Geshe degree, but he assured us he will continue with his Dharma studies whatever happens, that is paramount, taking his main guru with him to the US.

It is the first time I met him or his predecessor but maybe I knew the 15th or so because we made a good connection.


Maybe these young lamas are in the process of a big reform. He talked about conservatism in the monasteries and when I asked his comments about the observance and enforcement of monastic discipline it was the only question he appeared to feel slightly uncomfortable to give a full answer. He just said "become a monk and see for yourself!" I told him "no way, man".

From Anonymous:
Great update on Lama Osel. Here's one possible future: The FPMT starts a film production unit and produces Osel's films, giving him 100% editorial freedom. It becomes a real win-win for everyone. FPMT fulfils its purpose of supporting Lama Osel; Oz would get backing for his film projects; young, hip people all over the world get turned onto to Dharma through Osel's films, music and dance; they join the FPMT in massive numbers; Oz takes over the FPMT, and transforms it into a major producer of hip contemporary films, videos and music.

It’s going to be great!

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

This survey is a great idea. Well done!

Anonymous said...

The survey is slow to come on screen. Can you fix it?

Anonymous said...

What are you going to do with this survey?

Jamyang Los Masos Study Group said...

Dear Forcythia, we are offering survey results to anyone who wants to learn from what young people think about Dharma. Anyone should please contact me at samuelrai@losmasos.com or at jamyang@losmasos.com to register their interest. Results will be analysed and made available in full after closure date of 30th April. From Samuel Rai, Survey Coordinator

Anonymous said...

A very nice site to quickly visit in a virtual way, with the proper signs to make the time spent profitable.
Gareth Sparham

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for sending through the link to your blog! What a lovely site - I am looking at it from my rather dingy hotel room in Nottingham, and it is very cheery!
J.R.

Anonymous said...

Am in semi -hibernation but had a quick look at the blog. beautifu!!
anyway your site inspired our kids to do their own blog ... all the kids from the former Priory,
to enliven their old connections beyond the sectarian world they live in now.
Andy

Anonymous said...

I looked at your blog, which I like very much. Now I feel mine is underdone! Thanks so much for diminishing my ego, ha ha.
from Ven Namgyel

Anonymous said...

Looks good! What’s so revolutionary?

Anonymous said...

like the lay-out, the explanations and the photos

Jamyang Los Masos Study Group said...

Dear N
Buddha was a true revolutionary, so is His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Our ideas are taken from them. Plus, have you ever seen a Buddhist group that says "Don't donate to us"?

Anonymous said...

Your new blog looks like fun. I forwarded it to a dozen or so of my kids, to see if any want to make a comment on being young and beautiful in a nuveau Buddhist world.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Samuel ....

I looked over the site and I think its great....

I've sent it to our members and I'll create a link on our Peaceful Garden website (www.PeacefulGarden.ca)

keep up the good work...

yours in the Dharma...

Larry

PS - I would be interested in the survey results - we have 2 sons who are children of Buddist Parents (Chubs???) - I sent it to them too...

Anonymous said...

Hi Samuel:
I love your site !!!!!!!!!
I'm with the Okanagan Diamond Way Buddhist Group in British Columbia, Canada. We're of the Karma Kagyu Lineage.
I'm the first generation - my 18 year old son hasn't shown much interest in Buddhism, but I'm hoping he'll complete the survey.
Just wanted to extend greetings and tell you how cool your site is!!!!
Carmen

Anonymous said...

Bonjour!
Bravo pour le blog et la qualité de son contenu.
Merci d'avoir mis un lien vers le site de Tcheukor Ling.
Pour ma part, j'ai rajouté le lien vers le blog de Jamyang Study Group.

Anonymous said...

best wishes
maybe in a century time we would be ready, when young people awaken

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the link. I've completed the survey.
Best wishes
Trisha
LOBSA.ORG

Anonymous said...

Hi
You’re really welcome to list us – we should be saying thank you!
We haven’t set up a links policy yet – it’s on my ‘to do’ list – which is why we don’t have any. I’ll let everyone know when it happens.
Good luck with the survey – it’s a magnificent idea.
Love A

Jamyang Los Masos Study Group said...

Dear Inelmen from Turkey
You are not alone ... I am sure Buddhism will flourish in Turkey, not after 100 years! Turks are very intelligent - see your Mongolian brothers and sisters [of Turkic race]
Samuel

Anonymous said...

Hi
there are two different frequencies here, one is as you say
"see your Mongolian brothers and sisters" but the other is "arabic" ... prefered by 70% circa) because of oil dollars. Only mystics followers to Mevlana can solve the deadlock. Some go to Mecca more than 10 times

Anonymous said...

Dear Jamyang, Thank you for connecting with us. There is a group of young people meeting regularly here at Sanghamittarama in Melbourne. I will pass on your email with the link to your website. Maybe some of our young adults would like to have a look and get some inspiration from you...
With all good wishes and Dharma greetings to France (I'm a native German),
Sucinta bhikkhuni
Sanghamittarama Bhikkhuni Residence
East Bentleigh
Victoria 3165
AUSTRALIA

Anonymous said...

I'm rejoicing so much about this wonderfull center. I hope to meet you again one time. So fresh and positive orientation in this center! It feels clear and unique.

I wish you an happy new year 2008 and hope to visit you very soon.

Nicolas

Anonymous said...

Why are the Mongolian and the Turks the same? Are not the Mongolians a different culture than Turkey? I am confused?

Jamyang Los Masos Study Group said...

The Mongol people from Mongolia is a Turkic race, the language is from the same Turkish roots, and so is the culture; like the Japanese and also the Koreans ... all from Turkic origins. It's a fact! So as Mongolians, Japanese and Koreans all took to Buddhism, so can the original Turks in Turkey as well - I should think!

Anonymous said...

Jamyang San: Perhaps it is best to leave the discussion of cultural, biologicial, spiritual, linguistic, (and etcetera) roots of the Mongols to the Mongols.

Please also note that here in Mongolia we have plenty of Muslims (for many hundreds of years now!)...and Christians,...Worshippers of Nature ... and Hindus...., and...and.. .. Please don't try to imply that "all" Mongols took to Buddhism...

What happened to Lama Yeshe's wish for us "to move beyond Buddhism"?

Anonymous said...

Genghis Khan was a destructive and genocidal warlord who caused enormous damage and destruction!!!

Anonymous said...

Religion and Politics - Never makes a good cake!!!!

Jamyang Los Masos Study Group said...

Dear JB
You must mean ‘politics’ in Phayul.com, whose news we show! First, by ‘politics’ we can benefit countless beings as part of our Dharma practice. Second, Phayul’s theme is a free Tibet, land of Dharma, whose language is Dharma. A delicious cake!
Samuel

Anonymous said...

Your blog keeps getting better and better! Your older articles are not as good as newer ones you have a lot more creativity and originality now keep it up!

Anonymous said...

i truly love your own writing taste, very helpful.
don't give up and keep posting due to the fact it just nicely to look through it.
impatient to see a whole lot more of your web content, thanks!

His Holiness The Dalai Lama

His Holiness The Dalai Lama
"Whenever possible, be kind ....it is always possible!"