Dechen Norbu wrote:
Regarding the public demonstration of siddhis, I see it as dangerous as the public recognition of frauds.
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Why? Even the office of Dalai Lama asked to such a demonstration when it was necessary.
For example, in the case of Michael Roach , when he claimed that around his 22nd year, he realized emptiness and
bodhicitta directly, and he started the consort practices, claiming that he is capable to engage in actual consort practice without breaking his monks vows (which, by default, would necessitate that Geshe Michael Roach had at very least attained the 8th Bodhisattva Bhumi, a level very close to Buddhahood itself).
In that moment, Lama Zopa Rinpoche, sent him a letter:
"Dear Geshe Michael,
If your conduct will be the way you explained in the letter then it will not be normal from the monasteries point of view or according to the monasteries point of view. Where the need is more important than what is to abandoned, along with that one should be able to perform other miracle powers, show control or freedom like Milarepa or like any of those yogi’s such as Dukpa Kunleg. Then, in this way, people can see the realizations and power and so devotion grows in them. Even they have mistaken appearance, people see their special qualities of showing control and high realizations , in this way seeing the mistakes does not destroy peoples faith and instead they see only qualities.
Gelongma Palmo in order to destroy the heresy of the people of the city who believed she had broken her vows and to inspire them and bring them to enlightenment, she cut off her head and put it on a spear and danced in space and said “if it is true that I am not pure, not a fully ordained nun then my head should not come back, if it is true that I
am pure then my head should come back”. Then her head came back on her body, like before, and that proved to the people in the city, the words of the truth. The head from the spear came back to her body as before, so everybody in the city completely believed that she did not have any mistakes and is pure, destroying all their wrong views and
heresy and this caused them to have incredible devotion to her.
Just to clarify I don’t mean you have to be enlightened to do that kind of conduct. It might seem that way from the story. All it means is having high realizations and showing to others through external miracle powers.
By showing miracle powers then other people can generate devotion and non heresy. By seeing the miracle power, something external, then they can have faith in high realizations, seeing that you have control and you are free and whatever conduct you do does not have the stain of samsara.
If one performs those behaviors to develop people’s devotion then it is not just an ordinary miracle that is needed, one needs to do a special kind of miracle, for example the6th Dalai Lama pee-ed from the top of the Potala and just before the urine hit the ground he drew it back again inside his vajra. Also there is the story of the previous incarnation of Gonsar Rinpoche who pulled in mud through his vajra.
With much love and prayers,
Lama Zopa"
Even the Office of H.H. Dalai Lama sent him a letter:
"Dear Rev. Michael Roach,
This is to thank you for your letter. We have gone through your long explanation but still do not support your coming to
Dharmsala. If you have reached the path of seeing, as you claim in your letter, you should then be able show extraordinary powers and perform miracles like the Siddhas of the past. Only then will the followers of Tibetan Buddhists be able to believe and accept your claims. Otherwise, as His Holiness the Dalai Lama is the Spiritual and Temporal leader of Tibet, having responsibility over the welfare of Tibetan Buddhism many have often complained to Him that He should be strict with those who are not adhering to the general norms of discipline according to our tradition. And your coming to Dharmsala will be seen by many as His Holiness condoning your behavior and practice.
In view of all these we advise you not to visit Dharmsala in the greater interest of the purity of the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. However, as for the other members of your group those who are interested are welcome to attend the teachings of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
Tenzin Geyche Tethong
Secretary to H.H. the Dalai Lama
Office of H.H. the Dalai Lama”
I think that, this would be one of the best method to really evaluate the level of someone. I'm wrong? Even Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche, I one of his webcast talked about something like that.