Choosing Hendrix over Buddhism

The spanish boy chosen by the Dalai Lama as a reincarnation of a spiritual leader has denounced the Buddhist order and is continuing his film studies in Madrid. Now 24, Osel Hita Torres broke his six-year silence to speak out against the "medieval situation" of his childhood. He was identified at 14 months as the reincarnation of Lama Yeshe and from the age of 6 to 18 lived under monastic discipline in a monastery in southern India. Growing up, Torres was only allowed to socialize with other reincarnated souls. Television and girls were out of the question. The Spanish newspaper El Mundo reported Torres felt his childhood was was "like living a lie." Having rejected his guru identity, he has since chosen to wear his hair long and is a fan of Jimi Hendrix. The Tibetan Buddhist community still recognizes his lama status.

The Guardian