Again, we know very little about these things and how they work. Most of what we think we know, and what we can find in books, is more tradition and mythology than fact. This, because it is rare to find anyone with actual personal experience in these matters.
The 14th Deli Lama (current) for example, had to demonstrate that he had some memory of his previous life in order to pass required tests.
He also claims to have no real memories of past lives.
But the phenomena relating to the reincarnation lineage of the Deli Lamas do demonstrate a type of reincarnation that is not typical for the vast majority of people...more deliberate.
See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalai_Lama
And http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phowa
robert
Bookmarks