Dalai Lama has no authority over reincarnation system: Chinese envoy to India
Xu added that while the 14th Dalai Lama is a key figure, the process of choosing Dalai Lamas did not begin with him and will not end with him. 'He has no authority to decide whether the system will continue or be stopped,' Xu stated.His comments came shortly after Union Minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, a practising Buddhist, said only the current Dalai Lama and traditional practices can determine his successor.'The Dalai Lama is a defining spiritual leader for Buddhists,' Rijiju said on July 2. 'The decision about his reincarnation should follow tradition and be made by him alone. No one else has the right.'These statements follow a recent announcement from the 14th Dalai Lama, who confirmed that the Dalai Lama institution would continue. He said only the Gaden Phodrang Trust has the right to recognise his future reincarnation.The issue has gained attention as Dalai Lama's 90th birthday approached on July 6. There are concerns that China may appoint its own successor to gain more control over Tibet's spiritual leadership.In response to the Dalai Lama's statement, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that any reincarnation must follow rules set by the Chinese government, including a process called "drawing lots from a golden urn" and official approval from Beijing.Mao added that while China respects religious freedom, it also strictly regulates religious practices, including the reincarnation of Tibetan Buddhist leaders.- EndsTune InMust Watch
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