Tenzin Ösel Hita

Who is Tenzin Ösel Hita?

Tenzin Ösel Hita is a Tibetan Buddhist tulku and cinematographer from Spain.

Born Ösel Hita Torres, Hita was designated soon after his birth as the reincarnation of Lama Thubten Yeshe—making him one of only a handful of Western tulkus—and renamed Tenzin Ösel Rinpoche. For many years "Lama Ösel" was expected to succeed to leadership of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition, the organization co-founded by Yeshe. As a university student, "Oz" gradually distanced himself from the FPMT, and in 2009 made media statements indicating his intention to pursue a life independent of that organization. However, he remained a follower of Tibetan Buddhism and an FPMT supporter, joining that organization's board of trustees in 2010.