A Tibetan Monk on Tulpas
========================

> What do Tibetans truly think about the practice of thoughtforms and tulpas?

It looks like a very dangerous practice to partake in without the instructions of a fully qualified master. From what I have read, it is clear to me that advanced practices are only permitted when there is such genuine guidance. Otherwise, there are many unpleasant and unwanted effects that can emerge. Anything from madness, sudden loss, injury or even death in some extreme cases may occur if the practices are performed inappropriately. Most require an empowerment ceremony of sorts, and the whole thing can be very colourful and ritualistic. Thoughtforms are not always helpful, and unless we ourselves have a clear auric field, our eminations will also be impure. Therefore whats the use of eminating putrid illusions of greed, anger and delusion? Furthermore, it is very hard to know how the thoughtform will interact with other people. In many cases, they can even invade the auric field of another being by attaching themselves to the aura, which can result in lasting damage. In fact, many people are possessed by many such illusory forms, which cause them to produce unwholesome and harful behaviours. There is a practice in tantra where during meditation the yogi visualizes a deity, in order to receive blessings and to create a relationship with that quality of the mind. There are some practices which can be done without empowerments, such as Medicine Buddha, Green Tara or Vajrasattva. As I mentioned above, most practices/meditational deities do require an empowerment because partaking in such activites could result in unwanted effects. i have heard that highly realized masters are able to eminate beings from their own mind-streams

> A lot of people believe tulpa to be psychological and hallucinatory in nature, what do you think on this?

Have you read what Alexander Berzin has to say about the illusory body? It's orth taking [a look](http://www.berzinarchives.com/web/en/archives/approaching_buddhism/introduction/extra_bodily_states.html).

So far, im seeing lots of warnings all over the place. Such practices need proper guidance and supervision, otherwise really harmful effects arise: death, madness, illness.. so on. Doesn't seem very pleasant. I have a feeling that many people are getting some small benefit from these practices, engaging in them without the guidance of a fully qualified master. however i dont feel like the benefit will last. maybe thats what is spreading this practice around all over the internet?

I think perhaps the internet is too young to have enough information about thoughtforms and tulpas. Maybe in books and in articles written by experienced people, but in forums, I'm not so confident. Maybe there are some masters out there who are capable of doing these things properly, so that there is only benefit that arises from such practices. Unfortunately, most of what I have seen thus far is misuse. Lots of mental illness arising from that misuse as well. Lots of anger and delusion from trying to extend a faulty sense of self outwards.

---

FAQ found [here](http://pastebin.com/Mjw0qjpt).
