Dalai Lama cannot decide on reincarnation, says China; India maintains neutrality

Time of India

2 days ago

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama (AP photo)
NEW DELHI: China's ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, on Sunday said the 14th
Dalai Lama
has no authority to decide the continuation of the Tibetan Buddhist reincarnation system, calling it a religious practice that has existed for over 700 years and is not subject to individual discretion.
"The reincarnation system of Living Buddhas in
Tibetan Buddhism
has existed for over 700 years,' China's Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, said in a post on X. 'Currently, there are more than 1,000 such reincarnation lineages across Tibet and Tibetan-inhabited regions of Sichuan, Yunnan, Gansu, and Qinghai," he wrote.
Xu emphasised that the 14th Dalai Lama is part of a historical and religious succession and cannot unilaterally decide whether the institution should continue or end.
'The reincarnation of Dalai Lamas neither began with him nor will it end with him,' he said. 'He has no authority to abolish or continue the system,' he added.
The remarks come amid renewed global attention on the issue, especially as the Dalai Lama turns 90 on July 6. The question of his succession has emerged as a sensitive geopolitical and spiritual issue, particularly in the context of China's increasing control over religious affairs in Tibet.
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However, the ministry of external affairs on Friday said that the government 'does not take any position' on such religious issues.
'We have seen reports relating to the statement made by His Holiness the Dalai Lama about the continuation of the Dalai Lama institution,' MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, while adding: 'Government of India does not take any position or speak on matters concerning beliefs and practices of faith and religion.'
Meanwhile, union minister for Minority Affairs
Kiren Rijiju
, a practising Buddhist, reiterated that the decision rests solely with the Dalai Lama and traditional Buddhist customs. Speaking at birthday eve celebrations for the Tibetan spiritual leader in Dharamshala, Rijiju said, 'Dalai Lama institution is purely religious and government of India believes there should be no interference in religious matters... I would like to wish His Holiness a long life...
All his devotees desire to see him healthy so that the global community can benefit from his wisdom.
.. I don't want to react on the Chinese statement, but we leave everything to His Holiness.'
Earlier, Rijiju had said, 'The Dalai Lama is a defining spiritual leader for Buddhists. The decision about his reincarnation should follow tradition and be made by him alone. No one else has the right.'
'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.'
The 14th Dalai Lama had recently reiterated that the institution would continue and that only the Gaden Phodrang Trust would have the authority to recognise his reincarnation.
China has consistently asserted that the process of selecting Tibetan Buddhist leaders must follow procedures approved by the Chinese state.
In a recent statement, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said, 'Reincarnation must follow Chinese laws and religious rituals, including drawing lots from a golden urn and approval from the central government.'
Mao added that while China respects religious freedom, it strictly regulates religious activities, including reincarnation processes.
Meanwhile, in a sharp rebuttal, Penpa Tsering, President of the Tibetan government-in-exile, accused China of erasing Tibetan identity through 'cultural genocide.'