Tibetan Govt-In-Exile Rejects China Stand On Dalai Lama's Successor: 'Offender Of The Faith'
The Central Tibetan Administration dismissed China's objection to Dalai Lama's successor, affirming only the Gaden Phodrang Trust can recognize his future reincarnation.
The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), also known as the Tibetan Government-In-Exile, on Wednesday dismissed China's objection to the Dalai Lama's successor, saying that the Chinese government is the 'offender of the faith."
CTA spokesperson Tenzin Lakshey said China has no role to play in the reincarnation process of any Tibetan religious leader.
Earlier in the day, Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama said that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue and only the Gaden Phodrang Trust will have the authority to recognise the future reincarnation, putting to rest uncertainty on whether he will have a successor or not after his death.
The Gaden Phodrang Trust was founded by the Office of the Dalai Lama in 2015.
The statement made by the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, who is also called Lhama Thondup, on May 21, 2025, was released by his office on Wednesday, four days ahead of his 90th birthday.
What Did China Say?
China said the reincarnation of the next Dalai Lama must be approved by the Chinese central government.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning also reiterated that Beijing had to approve the identity of the successor and that it had to be done in China through a centuries-old ritual.
During a meeting of the heads of Tibetan spiritual traditions on September 24, 2011, the Dalai Lama had stated that 'as far back as in 1969, I had made clear that people concerned should decide whether the Dalai Lama's reincarnations should continue in future." He had stated that when he would be 90 years old, he would consult the high Lamas of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions, the Tibetan public, and other people who follow Tibetan Buddhism to evaluate whether the institution of the Dalai Lama should continue or not.
'I have received messages through various channels from Tibetans and Tibetan Buddhists living in other parts of the world requesting that the institution of the Dalai Lama should continue. I am affirming that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue," his statement said.
He added that the responsibility to recognise the reincarnation rests with the members of Gaden Phodrang Trust, who will consult heads of various Tibetan Buddhist traditions and the reliable oath-bound Dharma Protectors linked to the lineage of the Dalai Lamas.
'They should carry out the procedures of search and recognition in accordance with the tradition," the statement added.
(With Inputs from PTI)
First Published:
July 02, 2025, 18:36 IST
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