Being chosen as a reincarnated monk is not at all romantic in this account of one man's life.
It seems monastic systems are fundamentally flawed - we have seen it in Catholic history, and here we see it in a Tibetan tradition. He sees the system as flawed and in need of change - that Buddhist beliefs need to be brought into the personal lives of the monks.
After years of drug and alcohol abuse to self-medicate his pain - a common pattern for victims of sexual abuse - he is clean now and trying to reform his lineage. But he faces a lot of challenges for speaking openly about his struggles and experiences.
Here is some of his biography - the official story:
His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche was born in 1990 at his Monastery Samdrub Darjay, as Rainbows appeared in the sky above. He was officially recognized by Situ Rinpoche and the Dali lama and enthroned at his monastery in 1993. Young Yangsi Kalu Rinpoche inspired everyone who met him with his gentle and loving presence. At age 7 he began formal studies with under the Ven. Bokar Rinpoche and entered into the traditional Shangpa Kagyu three-year retreat at age 15. We are extremely grateful to His Eminence Kalu Rinpoche whose only purpose is to benefit all beings, through his commitments to keep alive the transmissions of the Shangpa and Karma Kagyu lineages, ensuring that the precious teachings remain available to those who seek to walk upon the Path to Liberation.
There's more biography here.
