The con man

Thomas Edison with the first phonograph, 1877

It’s an old story. I think you know this one. There’s a young man . . . Ambitious, and clever, but not good with book learning, and not over-fond of hard work. He comes from an ordinary family, but dreams of wealth and power. He has a gift of gab, but is none too generous with the truth. One day, he announces that he has discovered a remarkable secret—a religious revelation—of huge import. He paints beautiful pictures in the air with words—but “Rubbish!” say the sensible. Still, he enchants the naïve, the hopeless, and the mad. He is denounced by the forces of orthodoxy, but goes on to fame, riches, and absolute power over thousands.

Some say that is the story of Pema Lingpa (1450-1521), who became one of the most revered tertöns in Tibetan history. His terma (revelations) are the state religion of central Bhutan to this day.

Some say this is the story of Joseph Smith, founder of Mormonism. Some say it is the story of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, founder of Shambhala Training. Some say it is the story of L. Ron Hubbard, founder of Scientology.

Some say it is the story of Ngak’chang Rinpoche, lineage holder of the Aro gTér.

Some say all Tibetan Buddhism is a con—a bunch of manipulative nonsense invented by the Tibetan aristocracy to keep the peasants in line.

work like the devil for what he believes in

There’s another story. I think you know this one, too. There’s a young man . . . Ambitious and clever, not good with book learning, but willing to work like the devil for anything he believes in. He comes from an ordinary family, but dreams of bringing forth for the world something extraordinary, something that can improve the lives of millions. He toils for years in poverty and obscurity, and finally finds something of great value. Despite the denunciations, disbelief, and political maneuvers of the envious and the powerful, he makes the benefit of his discovery available to anyone who wants it.

That’s the story of Thomas Edison, inventor of the telephone, movie camera, and electric light bulb. It is the story of the visionary poet and painter William Blake. It is the story too of millions of less-famous artists, scientists, and social activists. Perhaps it is also the story of Ngak’chang Rinpoche—or of any of the other controversial religious figures I mentioned above.

there are both con men and creative heroes

Both stories are plausible: there are surely both con men and creative heroes in the world. How can we know who is which?

We all know whether or not electric light bulbs work. We may disagree about whether 50 Cent’s rap songs are great art or vile noise. It is particularly difficult to know whether or not a terma is worth practicing. (Elsewhere, I will write much more about this.)

I have read parts of Joseph Smith’s Book of Mormon and I don’t find it plausible. However, I cannot absolutely rule out the possibility that it is the Word of God. I have read Ngak’chang Rinpoche’s Wearing The Body of Visions, and I think it extraordinary. However, I cannot absolutely rule out the possibility that it is a clever fake.

However much we want guarantees, there are none. We may consult the opinions of those we trust; but we cannot give that trust blindly. Ultimately, all we can do is apply own good sense, as best we can, to evaluating the purported discovery, and the discoverer, using all available evidence.