Western Tulpamancy is so fundamentally different from Buddhist Emanations that the two practices are only similar in name
This is the opinion of a Tibetan Buddhist who is quoted as being a "student of the words of Sogyal Rinpoche, student of Avalokitesvara, student of Kṣitigarbha," and a student of their own emanation (tulpa), Dharma Yokeyodasampa.
On May 11, 2022, this thread on Reddit was opened as an AMA for any member of r/Tulpas to ask questions regarding the Tibetan Buddhist practice of emanation.
The Buddhist (who did not give their own name or pronouns) has answered a couple questions regarding the use of the word "tulpa" as the tulpamancy/tulpa system community uses it. Screenshots of questions and answers with transcripts to follow. Emphasis added by myself for clarity, however, the quotes themselves remain unchanged.
How do you feel about this community, and by extension, other plural communities?
Answer: I have understood the western Tulpamancy culture for awhile, I’ve been on the old forums but I haven’t really interacted much with the community. I don’t view it negatively, as long as you live your life and treat all sentient beings with kindness, including your tulpa, I don’t see an issue.
How does your emanation/tulpa compare to the headmates of this community? Do you treat them differently in any way? How would you describe your relationship?
Answer: I believe the main difference between Dharma Yokeyodasampa and others, is his vows. He is an ascetic, by choice, and chooses to spend most of his time in my company or meditating in our mental space, which is the likeness of a monastery. He doesn’t indulge much in my world, other than discussing day to day troubles. He is like any other person I would guess, though he is deeply rooted in his spiritual practice, with most of the day up to 8 hours spent in meditation and repetition. Our relationship is like that of brothers, though we consider the other one his Teacher. Much can be learned from both our experiences, and much can be learned of ourselves by discussing ourselves.
How do you feel about this community using the term "tulpa"?
Answer: considering that, from what I understand, tulpa in the western sense is a different culture than that of Tibetan or other shared origin, I don’t see a specific claim to the word. I don’t mind it. It’s fascinating how such a concept has travelled and deviated from its original sources and grew into a practice distinct in culture and community.
Considering the Buddhist in question had been in these circles for a long period of time before finally announcing themselves, they obviously have a good background of knowledge on the tulpamancy community as a whole. They do not see the community negatively. Their specific quote saying, "[the concept of tulpamancy] has travelled and deviated from its original sources and grew into a practice distinct in culture and community" suggests to me that they (and, by extension, more than likely other Tibetan Buddhists) see the key differences between Buddhist Emanations and Western Tulpamancy.
This distinction also becomes clear in the quote, "tulpa in the western sense is a different culture than that of Tibetan or other shared origin," so one can conclude we are not even pretending to practice the same emanation as Buddhists.
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In my personal understanding, not all tulpa are Bodhisattva or other enlightened beings. I believe western tulpas are incomplete variations or effects derived from Deity Yogic practices. That is to say, visualizing and maintaining a practice of meditating on -and with- the Buddhas/chosen deity or enlightened being, is meant to achieve an end goal such as purification, and realization of the true state of bliss.
While western tulpa seem to be made as companions with a secular division.
This further places a distinction between Buddhist and western tulpa; Buddhist tulpa are created with a specific end goal in mind, whereas western tulpa are usually non-spiritual companions.
In conclusion, and to summarize:
Western tulpamancy and the practice of Tibetan Buddhist emanation are similar in basic method and name, but that is where the similarities stop
Western tulpa tend to be secular (non-religious) and psychological, in contrast with Tibetan Buddhist tulpa
Tibetan Buddhist tulpa are made with a specific end goal of enlightenment and/or purification, whereas Western tulpa are usually created with the intent of being companions
Tulpa simply means "an emanation" in this context and is a broad term
Cultural appropriation is not what is happening because we are not claiming our practice of Western tulpamancy to be the same as the advanced Deity Yoga of Tibetan Buddhism
