The ageing Dalai Lama, China and India's options
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Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Dalai Lama confirms he will have a successor after his death
Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama has confirmed he will have a successor, putting to rest speculation over whether the 600-year-old institution will end when he dies. In a video message keenly-awaited by his followers, he said only the trust that he founded could appoint his successor and "no-one else has any authority to interfere in this matter". According to Tibetan tradition, Dalai Lamas are "reincarnated" after they die. China annexed Tibet in 1950 and the current Dalai Lama lives in exile in India, making succession a highly contentious issue. Beijing rejected the statement, saying his successor would be from inside China and must be approved by the government. Hundreds of followers gathered on Wednesday to hear the long-awaited announcement in the Indian town of Dharamshala where the Dalai Lama lives. The Dalai Lama Library and Archive centre, where the video message was broadcast, resembled a sea of maroon with monks from all over the world in attendance. "I am affirming that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue," the Dalai Lama's statement said. He reiterated that "the Gaden Phodrang Trust, the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama... should accordingly carry out the procedures of search and recognition in accordance with past tradition". Who is the Dalai Lama and why does he live in exile? Dharamshala is holding the Dalai Lama's milestone 90th birthday celebrations which began on Monday - his birthday according to the Tibetan lunar calendar - and will conclude on 6 July, his official birthday. Celebrations will be attended by more than 7,000 guests, including a number of Indian ministers. Hollywood actor Richard Gere, a long-time follower, is also taking part. In the past, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism had been torn between whether to continue with the post of Dalai Lama or not. A few years ago, he said his successor might be a girl, or that there might be no successor at all. But in recent years, he had also said that if there was widespread support among Tibetans-in-exile for the post - which there is - then it would continue and his office would choose a successor. He has always insisted that his successor must be born outside China and his reiteration of the same on Wednesday did not go down well with Beijing. A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said that the Dalai Lama's reincarnation must comply with Chinese laws and regulations as well as "religious rituals and historical conventions" and would need to be approved by Beijing. Even though the Dalai Lama has always advocated a "middle way" to resolve the status of Tibet - genuine self-rule within China - Beijing regards him as a separatist. It says the standard of living of people in Tibet has greatly improved under its rule and denies suppressing their human rights and freedom of expression. A dam ignited rare Tibetan protests. They ended in beatings and arrests, BBC finds Dalai Lama furore reignites Tibet 'slave' controversy How China's boarding schools are silencing Tibet's language The Dalai Lama's message "affirming that the continuation of the institution" has been welcomed by his followers. Tsayang Gyatso, a 40-year-old businessman, said that for most Tibetans, the announcement is "a great relief and a moment of happiness". "I always had a belief that the reincarnation will come. But having heard it from His Holiness, I feel elated," he told the BBC in Dharamshala. Mr Gyatso, who had travelled from Delhi, said he felt "blessed to be here in person to witness His Holiness's birthday". He said there was "a lot of propaganda from China on the appointment of the next Dalai Lama" which made him fear that the appointment process could be corrupted "but all that has been put to rest by His Holiness's announcement". Robert Barnett, a Tibet scholar at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, told the BBC that the Dalai Lama's "message is indirect signalling" to China. "He's signalling two things here. One is he's going to decide on his reincarnation, not China. And the other is he's showing China that he's made this decision through a kind of popular - almost democratic - process of asking the community whether they want his institution to continue." That's a signal to China that his legitimacy is based on consent and not on force, Prof Barnett said. Experts, however, say China is also expected to name its own Dalai Lama. Dibyesh Anand, professor of International Relations at the University of Westminster, said, "After a period of a few months or a few years, they will have their own proteges identify a small boy as the next Dalai Lama and impose that. Of course, a majority of Tibetans are going to reject it and the majority of people in the world are going to make fun of it. But remember China has immense authority in terms of resources so they will try to impose that." Youdon Aukatsang, an MP in the Tibetan parliament-in-exile, told the BBC that "despite all these years of trying to control the hearts and minds of Tibetan people inside Tibet", Beijing has "completely failed". A Dalai Lama chosen by China, she says, "will not be recognised, not only by the Tibetans but the world will not recognise it because China doesn't have the legitimacy to find the future Dalai Lama". "We are concerned but we know that irrespective of our concern, China will come up with their own Dalai Lama, we will call it the Chinese-recognised Dalai Lama. I am not worried that Dalai Lama will have any credibility in the Tibetan world or the Buddhist world." China 'coercing Tibetans into mass labour camps'
Vancouver Sun
41 minutes ago
- Vancouver Sun
Dalai Lama says he plans to reincarnate — outside Tibet. But China wants to choose his successor
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Wednesday said the centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist institution will continue after his death, ending years of speculation that started when he indicated that he might be the last person to hold the role. Speaking at prayer celebrations ahead of his 90th birthday on Sunday, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism said that the next Dalai Lama should be found and recognized as per past Buddhist traditions, while signalling that China should stay away from the process of identifying his successor. The Dalai Lama's succession plan is politically consequential for most Tibetans who oppose China's tight control of Tibet and have struggled to keep their identity alive, in their homeland or in exile. It is also profound for Tibetan Buddhists who worship him as a living manifestation of Chenrezig, the Buddhist god of compassion. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The decision, however, is expected to irk China, which has repeatedly said that it alone has the authority to approve the next religious leader. It insists the reincarnated figure must be found in China's Tibetan areas, giving Communist authorities power over who is chosen. Many observers believe there eventually will be rival Dalai Lamas — one appointed by Beijing, and one by senior monks loyal to the current Dalai Lama. Tenzin Gyatso became the 14th reincarnation of the Dalai Lama in 1940. He fled Tibet when Chinese troops crushed an uprising in the Tibetan capital Lhasa in 1959 and has been living in the town of Dharamshala in India since then, helping establish a democratic government-in-exile while also traveling the world to advocate autonomy for the Tibetan people. Tibetan Buddhists believe the Dalai Lama can choose the body into which he is reincarnated, as has happened on 14 occasions since the creation of the institution in 1587. He has reiterated in the past that his successor would be born outside China. The Dalai Lama laid out his succession plan in a recorded statement that was televised at a religious gathering of Buddhist monks in Dharamshala. He said the process of finding and recognizing his reincarnation lies solely with the Gaden Phodrang Trust — a non-profit he founded in 2015 that oversees matters related to the spiritual leader and the institute of the Dalai Lama. 'No one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter,' he said, adding that the search for a future Dalai Lama should be carried out in 'accordance with past tradition.' Asked Wednesday about the Dalai Lama's announcement, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning at a daily news briefing said 'the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama must adhere to the principles of domestic search in China' and 'approval by the central government.' Mao said the process must 'follow religious rituals and historical settings, and be handled in accordance with national laws and regulations.' Separately, Amnesty International's China Director, Sarah Brooks, in a statement Wednesday said the efforts by Chinese authorities to control the selection of the next Dalai Lama was a 'direct assault' on the right to freedom of religion. 'Tibetan Buddhists, like all faith communities, must be able to choose their spiritual leaders without coercion or interference by the authorities,' Brooks said. The Dalai Lama has often urged his followers to reject anyone chosen by Beijing. The self-proclaimed Tibetan government-in-exile he once headed before relinquishing his political role in 2011 also supports this stance. His Holiness has shown infinite compassion and finally agreed to accept our appeal Penpa Tsering, the president of the government-in-exile, said Tibetans from around the world made 'an earnest request with single-minded devotion' that the position of the Dalai Lama should continue 'for the benefit of all sentient beings in general and Buddhist in particular.' 'In response to this overwhelming supplication, His Holiness has shown infinite compassion and finally agreed to accept our appeal on this special occasion of his 90th birthday,' he said at a press conference. Tsering, however, warned China not to meddle in the process of the Dalai Lama's succession, saying it is a 'unique Tibetan Buddhist tradition.' 'We not only strongly condemn the People's Republic of China's usage of reincarnation subject for their political gain, and will never accept it,' he said. The search for a Dalai Lama's reincarnation begins only upon the incumbent's death. In the past, the successor has been identified by senior monastic disciples, based on spiritual signs and visions, and it can take several years after the next Dalai Lama is identified as a baby and groomed to take the reins. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Dalai Lama defies China: Reincarnation will be Tibetan-led; what it means for Xi Jinping
AI image for representation only. Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama , confirmed on Wednesday that he will reincarnate, putting an end to speculation that the centuries-old institution could end with him. Speaking via recorded video message at prayer celebrations in Dharamshala, just days before his 90th birthday, he emphasized that the next Dalai Lama will be selected following established Tibetan Buddhist traditions. "I am affirming that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue," he said. "No one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter." This stance explicitly challenges China's claim that it alone has the power to approve the Dalai Lama's successor-a position that has deepened tensions between Beijing and the Tibetan exile community. Why it matters The Dalai Lama's reincarnation question reaches far beyond religious rituals or spiritual continuity-it represents a critical intersection of geopolitics, cultural identity, and human rights. For Tibetans, the Dalai Lama's succession is an existential issue. He is not only their spiritual leader but the most powerful symbol of Tibetan identity, autonomy, and peaceful resistance to Chinese authority. Tibetans revere him as a living manifestation of Chenrezig, the god of compassion, making his reincarnation deeply sacred. His insistence on Tibetan-controlled reincarnation is a direct rebuke of China's authoritarian efforts to dominate religious and cultural life in Tibet. By claiming sole authority to recognize his successor, the Dalai Lama is asserting a powerful form of cultural autonomy, safeguarding the future of Tibetan Buddhism from political manipulation. For China, controlling the Dalai Lama's reincarnation would cement its political and ideological grip over Tibet. The Communist Party seeks to integrate Tibetan Buddhism within state control, diluting its potential to foster dissent or resistance. China's past actions, such as its installation of the Panchen Lama , demonstrate its resolve to maintain ideological dominance. China's immediate rejection of the Dalai Lama's announcement underscores the depth of this conflict, signaling its willingness to confront international criticism to maintain authority in Tibet. Beijing insists the reincarnation must be Chinese-approved, a position that Amnesty International calls a direct threat to religious freedom. For the broader international community, the Dalai Lama's reincarnation is a potent symbol of religious freedom and human rights at stake in an increasingly authoritarian global landscape. It serves as a litmus test for democratic nations' willingness and ability to confront Chinese influence-politically, economically, and culturally. What it means for India India, home to over 100,000 Tibetan refugees, remains crucial in providing sanctuary for a Tibetan-recognized reincarnation. The Dalai Lama's insistence on reincarnating outside China also presents India with diplomatic complexities. India hosts the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile, but economic ties with China remain crucial. The Dalai Lama's succession process may bolster India's strategic leverage against China. Moreover, India's recognition of a Dalai Lama chosen outside China could strengthen its soft power among Buddhists globally. How India navigates this succession issue could significantly impact its geopolitical relations with China and its global image. Between the lines This Dalai Lama vs China confrontation is rooted in historical precedent. In 1995, when the Dalai Lama identified the 11th Panchen Lama-a position second only to his own-China responded by abducting the child and installing its own candidate, whom many Tibetans dismiss as illegitimate. The international community broadly condemned this move, but China remained steadfast. Observers now fear a similar scenario with dueling Dalai Lamas-one appointed by Beijing and another recognized by Tibetan authorities outside China. The Dalai Lama has explicitly instructed his followers not to accept a Chinese-appointed successor, warning against political interference. Penpa Tsering, president of Tibet's government-in-exile, reinforced this stance clearly: "We not only strongly condemn the People's Republic of China's usage of reincarnation subject for their political gain and will never accept it," Tsering said. Zoom in At the heart of the Dalai Lama's succession plan is the Gaden Phodrang Trust, a non-profit organization established by the Dalai Lama himself in 2011. Registered in Dharamshala, where the Dalai Lama has resided since fleeing Tibet in 1959, the Trust oversees matters related to his spiritual duties. Members include senior Tibetan monks and close aides, with the Dalai Lama himself serving as its head. Senior Trust official Samdhong Rinpoche clarified that the future Dalai Lama could be of any gender and nationality, effectively broadening the potential locations and conditions for the reincarnation search. "They should accordingly carry out the procedures of search and recognition in accordance with past tradition," the Dalai Lama reiterated. The Gaden Phodrang Trust's role firmly sidelines any Chinese claim, marking a significant rejection of Beijing's authority. What they're saying China immediately rejected the Dalai Lama's claims, doubling down on its longstanding position that the Chinese government must have final approval. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning reiterated at a press briefing: "The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama must adhere to the principles of domestic search in China and approval by the central government." China cites a Qing dynasty-era "golden urn" lottery method introduced in 1793 as justification for its involvement, framing it as essential to religious tradition. However, Tibetans widely view this claim as a pretext for political control. Penpa Tsering underscored this point, labeling China's intervention a violation of religious freedom and Tibetan sovereignty: "It is inappropriate for Chinese Communists, who reject religion, to meddle in the system of reincarnation of lamas, let alone that of the Dalai Lama." The intrigue The Dalai Lama's reincarnation question comes amid escalating geopolitical tensions between China and Western democracies, particularly the US, which has consistently criticized Beijing's human rights record, including in Tibet. US lawmakers have previously vowed not to allow China to influence the Dalai Lama's successor, passing legislation to back up their stance with potential sanctions against Chinese officials interfering in religious freedoms. While President Donald Trump's past statements about alliances like Nato have increased anxieties about US commitments abroad, the Tibetan issue remains a rare point of bipartisan consensus in the US, with both parties vowing to prevent Chinese interference. But China's economic power complicates this resistance. Few world leaders have met the Dalai Lama recently due to Chinese diplomatic pressure, with Barack Obama being the last US president to publicly host him in 2016. The Dalai Lama's insistence on reincarnation therefore is not only about Tibet's future, but a broader struggle over the ability of democratic nations to uphold human rights and religious freedoms in the face of Chinese pressure. What's next? The succession issue could intensify further in coming years, especially if rival Dalai Lamas emerge. While the Dalai Lama, currently in good health, intends to provide clear written instructions for his succession, no formal document exists yet. Chinese President Xi Jinping faces a strategic dilemma: aggressively enforcing a CCP-approved Dalai Lama risks escalating tensions with India and the West, while inaction could embolden Tibetan exiles and their supporters. China's insistence that the reincarnation must follow its laws and occur in China may be perceived as futile if the global Tibetan community rallies behind the trust's choice, forcing Xi to expend political capital to suppress dissent. Beijing may intensify diplomatic efforts to pressure nations into recognizing its eventual choice, leveraging economic and political ties. However, the EU has already stated publicly that it opposes government interference in religious succession processes, aligning itself indirectly with the Dalai Lama's position. A prolonged international dispute could lead to intensified activism by Tibetans abroad, potentially galvanizing a stronger push for Tibetan autonomy or even independence, especially among younger generations. As Penpa Tsering recently remarked to the Economist, 'If there's one thing China can't handle, it's unpredictability.'
