Kritik am Buch „The Shadow Of The Dalai Lama ... - Neues von Shi De

ewitches them. Then under the spell of involuntary participation the other is porous to the fluid of
the magic-making will, it electrically conducts the current which connects with him” (Zimmer, 1973,
p. 79). In the Tibet of the past, things were no different until sometime this century. All the
phenomena of the world are magically interconnected, and “secret threads [link] every word, every
act, even every thought to the eternal grounding of the world” (Zimmer, 1973, p. 18). As the “bearers
of magical power” or as “sorcerer kings” the tantric yogis cast out nets woven from such threads. For
this reason they are known as Maha Siddhas, “Grand Sorcerers”.
Lamaist “sorcerer” (a Ngak’phang gÇodpa)
When we pause to examine what the tantras say about the magical objects with which a Maha Siddha
is kitted out, we are reminded of the wondrous objects which only fairytale heroes possess: a magical
sword which brings victory and power over all possible enemies; an eye ointment with which one can
discover hidden treasure; a pair of “seven-league boots” that allow the adept to reach any place on
earth in no time at all, traveling both on the ground and through the air; there is an elixir which
alchemically transforms base metals into pure gold; a magic potion which grants eternal youth and a
wonder cure to protect from sickness and death; pills which give him the ability to assume any shape
or form; a magic hood that makes the sorcerer invisible. He can assume the appearance of several
different individuals at the same time, can suspend gravity and can read people’s thoughts. He is
aware of his earlier incarnations, has mastered all meditation techniques; he can shrink to the size of
an atom and expand his body outward to the stars. He possesses the “divine eye” and “divine ear”. In
brief, he has the power to determine everything according to his will.
The Maha Siddhas control the universe through their spells, enchantment formulas, or mantras. “I am
aware”, David Snellgrove comments, “that present-day western Buddhists, specifically those who are
followers of the Tibetan tradition, dislike this English word [spell,] used for mantra and the rest
because of its association with vulgar magic. One need only reply that whether one likes it or not, the
greater part of the tantras are concerned precisely with vulgar magic, because this is what most people