Quote:
Originally Posted by Knalus
Yes, there is no specific "time-honoured" test. Not the way you are suggesting. But no, you can't lump them all together. Even you have to admit there is a big difference between the Dalai Lama and that guy on the bus who hasn't washed in awhile.
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I don't have to admit that at all. The Dalai Lama's claim to be the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama has the exact same plausibility as the guy on the bus' claim to be the son of bigfoot. As you say, there is no principled way to distinguish between these two claims.
Now, that is not to say that the things that the Dalai Lama has to say have no value. Indeed, they may well have value, but if they do, it will be because they are reasaonable and insightful, not because they are coming from the xteenth incarnation of the Dalai Lama.