The Dalai Lama convened a gathering of senior Tibetan Buddhist monks in Dharamsala on Wednesday, where he has resided in exile since fleeing Tibet over fifty years ago. The discussions aimed to secure the future of his spiritual office as tensions rise with China over succession should he pass away.
In a video statement addressed to the assembly, the Dalai Lama emphasized that his office holds "sole authority" to recognize his reincarnation, clearly signaling that any attempts by China to meddle in this process would be unwelcome. He stated, “No one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter,” reinforcing that the continuation of the Tibetan spiritual lineage should remain within the community's control.
Since the Chinese military occupied Tibet in 1959, the Dalai Lama has established a government-in-exile in India and has campaigned for genuine autonomy and recognition of Tibetan culture and freedoms. Regarded by Beijing as a separatist, the 87-year-old leader has expressed concerns that the Chinese government is waiting for his death to undermine the Tibetan independence movement.
Typically, the search for a new Dalai Lama commences only after the current one passes away, involving years of locating and schooling the child deemed to be his reincarnation. The Dalai Lama fears that during this span, China may impose its own candidate to diminish Tibetan identity.
Though he relinquished his political authority in 2011, aiming to reinforce democratic governance among Tibetan exiles, the Dalai Lama has indicated a readiness to explore alternative forms of leadership and reincarnation, considering that his successor may emerge from the 140,000 Tibetan exiles, predominantly residing in India, and perhaps even diverge from traditional expectations of who the next leader should be.
The Dalai Lama has pledged to provide more clarity regarding his succession plans as he approaches his 90th birthday, which is set to be marked this week in Dharamsala, a celebration acknowledged as pivotal for the future of Tibetan Buddhism.
In a video statement addressed to the assembly, the Dalai Lama emphasized that his office holds "sole authority" to recognize his reincarnation, clearly signaling that any attempts by China to meddle in this process would be unwelcome. He stated, “No one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter,” reinforcing that the continuation of the Tibetan spiritual lineage should remain within the community's control.
Since the Chinese military occupied Tibet in 1959, the Dalai Lama has established a government-in-exile in India and has campaigned for genuine autonomy and recognition of Tibetan culture and freedoms. Regarded by Beijing as a separatist, the 87-year-old leader has expressed concerns that the Chinese government is waiting for his death to undermine the Tibetan independence movement.
Typically, the search for a new Dalai Lama commences only after the current one passes away, involving years of locating and schooling the child deemed to be his reincarnation. The Dalai Lama fears that during this span, China may impose its own candidate to diminish Tibetan identity.
Though he relinquished his political authority in 2011, aiming to reinforce democratic governance among Tibetan exiles, the Dalai Lama has indicated a readiness to explore alternative forms of leadership and reincarnation, considering that his successor may emerge from the 140,000 Tibetan exiles, predominantly residing in India, and perhaps even diverge from traditional expectations of who the next leader should be.
The Dalai Lama has pledged to provide more clarity regarding his succession plans as he approaches his 90th birthday, which is set to be marked this week in Dharamsala, a celebration acknowledged as pivotal for the future of Tibetan Buddhism.
