The Dalai Lama, days before his 90th birthday, reaffirmed that he will be reincarnated and that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue. This declaration counters years of speculation, some of it by the Dalai Lama himself, that he may be the last of Tibet’s spiritual leaders.
Speaking from Dharamshala, India, where he has lived since fleeing Chinese rule in 1959, the spiritual leader stated that only the non-profit Gaden Phodrang Trust—which he founded—has the authority to identify his successor, dismissing any Chinese involvement in the process.
Dalai Lama Rejects China’s Claim Over Reincarnation, Reaffirms Tibetan Spiritual Independence
China immediately reiterated its long-standing position that it must approve the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama. Beijing claims this authority stems from a centuries-old tradition involving a golden urn ritual dating back to the Qing dynasty in 1793.
Chinese officials maintain that the next Dalai Lama must be born in China and be approved by the central government. However, the Dalai Lama firmly rejected this claim, urging his followers to dismiss any successor chosen by China and stating that his reincarnation would be born outside of China, in a place where freedom exists.
Dalai Lama Declares Reincarnation Will Continue, Rejects China’s Authority Over SuccessorThe Dalai Lama’s video message was met with enthusiastic applause from monks and supporters during his birthday week celebrations in Dharamshala. Prominent figures, including actor Richard Gere, were in attendance.
The spiritual leader emphasized that the search for his reincarnation must follow traditional Tibetan Buddhist practices and be carried out under the guidance of the Gaden Phodrang Trust and senior Buddhist leaders. His announcement not only reaffirmed religious traditions but also served as a defiant stance against political interference from Beijing.
Dalai Lama’s Reincarnation Sparks Global Debate Over Freedom, Tradition, and Political Control
Traditionally, the soul of a senior monk is reincarnated into a child after death. The current Dalai Lama, born Lhamo Dhondup in 1935, was recognized at the age of two as the reincarnation of his predecessor. Now a globally respected figure and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, he has left open the possibility that his successor could be of any gender or nationality.
The Gaden Phodrang Trust has not yet received any written instructions from him about the selection, but it maintains authority over the decision. Tibetan leaders reiterated that any future reincarnation would be free from Chinese control.
The question of the Dalai Lama’s succession has broad geopolitical implications. Penpa Tsering, head of the Tibetan government-in-exile, highlighted the conditions China has placed on any potential visit by the Dalai Lama to Tibet, stating that China demands he remain there permanently.
The Dalai Lama, however, has rejected such terms, insisting he will not live in a land without freedom. Tsering also noted increased U.S. support for Tibetan exiles, with Washington opposing Chinese influence over the reincarnation process. This dispute underscores the larger tensions between China and the West over human rights and religious freedom.