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Tibetan religious chief Dalai Lama introduced Wednesday that the centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist establishment will proceed after his dying, signaling that his successor ought to be chosen with out affect from the Chinese language authorities.
Forward of his ninetieth birthday on Sunday, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning religious chief of Tibetan Buddhism laid out his succession plans in a recorded assertion that was televised at a spiritual gathering of Buddhist monks within the town of Dharamshala, India. Initially named Tenzin Gyatso, he turned what’s historically referred to as the 14th reincarnation of the Dalai Lama in 1940. He fled Tibet when Chinese language troops crushed an rebellion within the Tibetan capital Lhasa in 1959.
Based on an English translation of his speech revealed on his web site, the religious chief stated the accountability of selecting the subsequent Dalai Lama “will relaxation completely with members of the Gaden Phodrang Belief.”
A non-profit he based in 2015 that oversees issues associated to the religious chief and the institute of the Dalai Lama, the belief “ought to seek the advice of the assorted heads of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions and the dependable oath-bound Dharma Protectors who’re linked inseparably to the lineage of the Dalai Lamas,” the aged chief stated. “They need to accordingly perform the procedures of search and recognition in accordance with previous custom.”
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The Dalai Lama presides over an occasion celebrating his upcoming ninetieth birthday in response to a Tibetan calendar on the Tsuglakhang temple in Dharamshala, India, on Monday, June 30, 2025. (AP Picture/Ashwini Bhatia)
He reiterated that the Gaden Phodrang Belief “has sole authority to acknowledge the longer term reincarnation; nobody else has any such authority to intervene on this matter.”
Tibetan Buddhists consider the Dalai Lama can select the physique into which he’s reincarnated, as has occurred on 14 events because the creation of the establishment in 1587. He has reiterated previously that his successor could be born outdoors China. After fleeing Tibet, the present Dalai Lama helped set up a democratic Tibetan government-in-exile in Dharamshala, whereas additionally touring the world to advocate autonomy for the Tibetan individuals.
China has claimed authority over deciding on the subsequent “dwelling Buddha,” in addition to the leaders of different religions. It handed a legislation in 2007 saying the choice of the subsequent Dalai Lama should occur inside Chinese language territory – a transfer condemned by the Tibetan government-in-exile as an affront to non secular freedom and an try by the Chinese government “to brutally repress the harmless Tibetans underneath their tyrannical rule.”
When requested in regards to the Dalai Lama’s announcement throughout her day by day press convention Wednesday, Chinese language International Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated “the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama should adhere to the ideas of home search in China” and “approval by the central authorities.” Mao stated the method should “comply with non secular rituals and historic settings, and be dealt with in accordance with nationwide legal guidelines and laws,” in response to The Related Press.
Mao characterised the present Dalai Lama as a “political exile engaged in separatist actions underneath the guise of faith,” and added that he “has completely no proper to symbolize the individuals” of Tibet, according to NPR.
The Dalai Lama’s succession plan is politically consequential for many Tibetans who oppose China’s tight management of Tibet and have struggled to maintain their identification alive, of their homeland or in exile. It’s also profound for Tibetan Buddhists, who worship him as a dwelling manifestation of Chenrezig, the Buddhist god of compassion.
Buddhist monks of varied colleges of Tibetan Buddhism watch a recorded video message by the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala, India, on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, forward of his birthday, in response to the Gregorian calendar, on July 6. (AP Picture/Ashwini Bhatia)
Amnesty Worldwide’s China Director Sarah Brooks stated in a press release on Wednesday that the efforts by Chinese language authorities to manage the choice of the subsequent Dalai Lama have been a “direct assault” on the best to freedom of religion.
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“Tibetan Buddhists, like all religion communities, should be capable to select their religious leaders with out coercion or interference by the authorities,” Brooks stated.
The Dalai Lama has typically urged his followers to reject anybody chosen by Beijing. He beforehand headed the Tibetan authorities in exile earlier than relinquishing his political function in 2011.
Penpa Tsering, the present president of the government-in-exile, stated Tibetans from all over the world made “an earnest request with single-minded devotion” that the place of the Dalai Lama ought to proceed “for the advantage of all sentient beings typically and Buddhist specifically.”
Attendant monks assist the Dalai Lama to go away after presiding over an occasion celebrating his ninetieth birthday in Dharamshala, India, on Monday, June 30, 2025. (AP Picture/Ashwini Bhatia)
“In response to this overwhelming supplication, His Holiness has proven infinite compassion and at last agreed to just accept our attraction on this special day of his ninetieth birthday,” he stated at a press convention, in response to the AP.
Tsering, nonetheless, warned China to not meddle within the technique of the Dalai Lama’s succession, saying it’s a “distinctive Tibetan Buddhist custom.”
“We not solely strongly condemn the Individuals’s Republic of China’s utilization of reincarnation topic for his or her political achieve, and can by no means settle for it,” he stated.
The seek for the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation begins solely upon the incumbent’s dying. Up to now, the successor has been recognized by senior monastic disciples, based mostly on religious indicators and visions, and it may well take a number of years after the subsequent Dalai Lama is recognized as a child, or “soul baby,” and groomed to take the reins. The present Dalai Lama beforehand steered the custom may finish with him – or that his successor might be an grownup or an “enticing” lady, NPR reported.
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Wednesday’s announcement primarily marked his choice to “reincarnate,” signaling that he believes the Dalai Lama custom shouldn’t finish with him.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
