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Japan Forward
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Japan Forward
Dalai Lama Reincarnation Is None of the Atheist CCP's Business
On July 2, His Holiness the Dalai Lama made a highly anticipated announcement regarding his reincarnation. In it, he clearly stated, "I am affirming that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue… I hereby reiterate that the Gaden Phodrang Trust has sole authority to recognize the future reincarnation. No one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter." Here is the full text of the statement. The announcement is in tandem with the statement he made earlier in September 2011 on this reincarnation. As expected, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leadership came out strongly through their spokespersons and media outlets. It stated that the Dalai Lama has no authority to decide on his own reincarnation. In addition, it declared that the reincarnation will require the Central government's approval. To justify its stance, on July 2, China Daily published an article titled "Reincarnation of Living Buddhas Never Decided by Reincarnated Individuals." Li Decheng, Deputy General and research fellow at the China Tibetology Research Center, authored the piece. The article attempts to summarize the grounds on which the CCP claims authority over the reincarnation. Li presented his argument under two headings. The first, "The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama has never been decided by reincarnated individuals," and the second, "The reincarnation of Living Buddhas follows rigorous historical convention and rules. It is not subject to individual decision." In both statements, the first thing to notice is the use of "Xizang" in place of "Tibet." A clear and deliberate effort by the CCP to erase the name "Tibet" from both the global map and collective memory is evident. Another key point is the claim that an individual's decision is not required for reincarnation. The Chinese appointed Panchen Lama pledges loyalty to the CCP in a meeting with Xi Jinping. June 25, 2025. (©Xie Huanchi/Xinhua via AP) Tibet emerged as a significant force in Central Asia around the 7th and 8th centuries. Its rise occurred during the reign of its 33rd Emperor, Srongtsan Gampo, and his successors. They raided and conquered neighboring countries, including the Chinese capital Chang'an, present-day Xi'an. Since then, Tibet has been known as Tubbat by the Arabs, Tubet by the Mongolians, Tufan and Tubod by the Tang dynasty of China, and Bhote and Tibbat by the Indians. Italian explorer Marco Polo referred to Tibet as Tebet. It was never referred to as Xizang. Xizang is merely a meronym adopted by the CCP for Tibet, referring only to the U-tsang province of Tibet. Historically and politically, Tibet is composed of the three provinces of U-tsang, Amdo, and Kham. By using Xizang in place of Tibet, the CCP is attempting to confuse the world. It is trying to convince it that there is no Tibet, and therefore, no Tibet issue. When it comes to the reincarnation of the Dalai Lamas, it's essential to understand several key Buddhist concepts. A proper grasp of samsara, the law of karma, and the three kayas is crucial to fully comprehend what reincarnation truly means. Buddhists, Hindus, and Jains understand that all beings, including insects, birds, and other creatures, reincarnate continuously based on their positive and negative karmas. Here, it is not the individual but their karma that decides their reincarnation. This is an involuntary rebirth driven by the force of karma. Reincarnated Lamas are different. According to His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, their rebirth is not driven by karma or negative emotions. Instead, it is determined by compassion and a vow to help others. "Superior Bodhisattvas, who have attained the path of seeing, are not reborn through the force of their karma and destructive emotions, but due to the power of their compassion for sentient beings and based on their prayers to benefit others. They are able to choose their place and time of birth as well as their future parents. Such a rebirth, which is solely for the benefit of others, is rebirth through the force of compassion and prayer." - HH the 14th Dalai Lama on Reincarnation High Lamas are Bodhisattva beings who have purified their karmas and have attained enlightenment. They enter the world of the three Kayas of Dharmakaya, Sambhogkaya, and Nirmanakaya. However, some Lamas, guided by their Mahayana vows, choose to be reborn out of compassion in order to continue serving sentient beings. This is a voluntary rebirth. So, it is up to the enlightened individual to decide whether he should reincarnate or not. Therefore, Li Decheng's assertions that "Living Buddhas never decided by reincarnated individuals" and "It is not subject to individual decision" are totally false. They reveal either a deliberate misrepresentation or complete ignorance of the subject, aimed at appeasing the CCP regime. China claims authority to select the Dalai Lama based on the use of the Golden Urn, as decreed by the Manchu Emperor Qianlong (r 1732-1795) in 1792. We must note that by 1792, some eight Dalai Lamas had been reincarnated, starting from the first in 1391. The Manchu Qing Dynasty started only in 1644. Therefore, the traditional system of selecting the reincarnation of the Dalai Lamas predates the Manchu Dynasty by 253 years and the Golden Urn by 400 years. Regarding the use of the Golden Urn, Tibetans accepted the Manchu's advice out of courtesy only. Except for the selection of the 11th Dalai Lama, it was never used. Li Decheng's assertion, "All the aforementioned Dalai Lamas were formally approved by the central government," is false. Moreover, the Manchu Dynasty was a foreign and not a Chinese dynasty. It is a historical faux pas on the part of the CCP regime to claim authority to select the Dalai Lama based on the Manchu's Golden Urn. Speaking of the Golden Urn, the free world is very well aware of how it was used and manipulated in 1995 to select the false Panchen Lama. Repeating the same with the Dalai Lama's reincarnation will only shame China and earn greater distrust from the Tibetan people and the international community. Li claims that the Ming government dispatched envoys to Qinghai in 1579 to grant the Third Dalai Lama (1543–1588) a title and seal. According to Li, "This confirmed and recognized the legitimacy of his status as a reincarnated Living Buddha and the reincarnation system by the central government." This claim is entirely false. The 3rd Dalai Lama Sonam Gyatso, 1543-1588. (© The Third Dalai Lama, Sonam Gyatso, was already recognized in 1548, when he was five, through traditional Tibetan rituals. In 1579, at the age of 36, on his way back from Mongolia, the Chinese Ming envoys visited him at the border and presented many gifts and extended the Emperor's invitation to visit China. However, the Dalai Lama declined the invitation. This demonstrates that the Ming Emperor has no authority and the Dalai Lama does not need formal recognition from the Ming court. Long before that, the Ming Emperor Yunglo (r 1403-24) invited Lama Tsongkhapa (1357-1419) several times. Lama Tsongkhapa declined the invitation due to other obligations. Instead, he sent his disciple, Jamchen Shakya Senge, to China, where he was warmly received and exchanged titles with the Emperor. He built the monastery of Huang-ssu (Yellow Temple) in Peking. These historical records indicate that the Ming Emperor revered the Lamas but had no direct authority over Tibet. Li writes, "The reincarnation of Living Buddhas must follow the principle of respecting the sentiments of lay followers." This is exactly what His Holiness has done. In his statement, he said he received earnest requests from different quarters, including messages from Tibet. "In accordance with all these requests, I am affirming that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue." Furthermore, Li says, "The majority of Tibetan Buddhist believers reside in China, specifically within regions where Tibetan Buddhism is practiced. Therefore, in practice, reincarnated Living Buddhas do not abandon their followers or the land that nurtures them, and can only reincarnate within China, rather than in places where Tibetan Buddhism is not traditionally practiced." True, very well said, but the pertinent question here is: will the CCP regime allow the reincarnated Lamas to carry out their religious teaching freely? It is for this reason only that HH the Dalai Lama has stated that his reincarnation will be born in a free country. Otherwise, the whole purpose of reincarnation is lost. Therefore, it is incumbent on the individual Lama to decide whether to reincarnate or not and where to reincarnate. It is an undeniable fact that India is the birthplace of Buddhism, and Tibetan Buddhism derives its roots from India, particularly the Nalanda tradition. It is therefore preposterous on the part of the atheist CCP regime to hint at India as a land where Tibetan Buddhism is not traditionally practiced. Representative Dr TG Arya of the Liaison Office of HH the Dalai Lama for Japan & East Asia in an interview on TV Asahi. (Screenshot, July 2, 2025) Li's article concludes with a statement, "Any attempt to politicize the reincarnation of Living Buddhas will ultimately prove futile." This is exactly what the Tibetans, along with the Buddhist and international community, want to say to the CCP regime. Xu Feihong, the Chinese Ambassador to India, made a statement that is both audacious and lamentable. "The reincarnation of the Dalai Lamas neither began from him nor will end due to him. He has no authority to decide whether the reincarnation system shall continue or be abolished," the Chinese official asserted. That he would make such a blatantly false claim in India, the land of the Buddha, reflects a complete lack of diplomatic decorum at the highest level. Above all, the international and religious community, especially Buddhists in the free world, must protest the CCP regime's impudent and blasphemous act against religion. Under Religious Act No 19 of 2024, the Chinese Communist Party has made it mandatory for all faiths to adopt Xi Jinping's ideology of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Having already subjugated the land and its people, the regime now seeks to control their very souls. Silence from the international community on these blasphemous assaults will only embolden the totalitarian state to extend its reach beyond China's borders. Author: Tsewang Gyalpo Arya Dr Arya Tsewang Gyalpo is the former Secretary of the Department of Information and International Relations (DIIR) and former Director of the Tibet Policy Institute (TPI). He is currently the Representative of the Liaison Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama for Japan and East Asia. His books include Harnessing the Dragon's Fume and The Ancient Tibetan Civilization . The view expressed above is the author's own.
Los Angeles Times
16-07-2025
- General
- Los Angeles Times
Laguna Beach community takes in spiritual teachings around sand mandala
Throughout the past week, people who popped into the Neighborhood Congregational Church in Laguna Beach witnessed a ritual that was equal parts artistic and spiritual. Those who dropped by saw the delicate and detailed creation of a sand mandala, a Tibetan Buddhist tradition, carried out by monks from the Namgyal Monastery in Dharamshala. Dozens then showed up to witness the sand mandala dissolution, a ceremony during which the monks destroy that which they have created in a representation of the impermanence of life. Tenzin Wangdu Thokme, one of the monks that contributed to the sand mandala, gave a brief overview of the meaning and symbolism behind the ritual. Attention was given to an altar overlooking the sand mandala, which included a thangka painting of the founder of Buddhism. There was also an image of the Buddha of Compassion, as well as a picture of the 14th Dalai Lama, who turned 90 on July 6. 'The mandala, in essence, is a purified version of the environment and being in it — so the purification version of it,' Thokme said. 'In Buddhism, we believe that every sentient being can become awakened, or reach a state of awareness. Therefore, one can reach the state of awareness through practicing and through purifying oneself and through kind of training and overcoming all the delusions and ignorance and so forth.' The monks engaged in chanting prior to taking apart their sand mandala, pocketing portions of the colored sand into tiny sacks to be distributed among the attendees. The primary colors used within the mandala were white, green, blue, yellow and black, which Thokme said included directional representations and ties to body energy. A procession then moved from the church across South Coast Highway to Cleo Street Beach. Some followed the monks down the beach access stairs, while others chose to view the remainder of the ritual from above. 'We believe that sand is very blessed because during the visualization and the prayers, we have invited the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in our visualization, that they resided in this mandala and came and blessed … with their presence,' Thokme said. 'Therefore, this is blessed sand, and then we offer that to the ocean. 'Basically, what we believe, these elements like water, fire, wind, earth and so forth, it has its own spirit,' Thokme said. 'Therefore, taking this blessed sand to the water is to offer them, and it is requesting them to bring us a blessed environment,' he added. 'The environmental blessings have to come from nature, so we are offering this back to nature, so that we request them to bring the prosperity, goodness to the whole world and to humanity. That's the symbolism that we perform, and we do this in a prayer ceremony.' A monk was seen wading out into the shallows before dispersing the sand back among the waves. Rodrick Echols, the pastor of the Neighborhood Congregational Church, was on sabbatical. Sue Cross, board chair for the church, received and thanked the monks. 'We want to thank all of you for coming all this way from the Namgyal Monastery to honor us and bless us with your presence,' Cross said. 'We want to thank you for creating this beautiful, amazingly beautiful mandala. We want to thank you for your work in promoting peace, compassion and understanding. We hope that your travels will bring you back here again and that you will always think of this as a welcoming home.'
United News of India
06-07-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Beijing fumes at presence of Union Minister Rijiju, Arunachal CM Khandu at Dalai Lama's birthday celebrations
New Delhi, July 6 (UNI) China today fumed at the presence of Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu at the birthday festivities of the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala, and protested against remarks made by some of them regarding the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama. The Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong, in a statement posted on his X handle, said the issue of the reincarnation and succession of the Dalai Lama 'is inherently an internal affair of China'. 'It has been noted that some Indian official recently made some remarks regarding the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama. 'Chinese government opposes any attempts by overseas organizations or individuals to interfere in or dictate the reincarnation process. 'Xizang is an inalienable part of China's territory. Tibetan Buddhism traces its origins to China's Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.' 'The primary regions where Tibetan Buddhism is practiced are within China. The lineage of the Dalai Lamas took shape and evolved within China's Tibet region. 'The conferment of their religious status and titles is the prerogative of the central government of China. 'The reincarnation and succession of the Dalai Lama is inherently an internal affair of China. The Chinese government upholds the principle of independence and self-governance in religious affairs and administers the reincarnation of Living Buddhas, including that of the Dalai Lama, in accordance with the law. 'No interference by any external forces will be allowed.' Earlier this week, China had protested against Union Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju's remarks that the decision on the incarnation of the Dalai Lama would be taken by the established institution and the leader of Tibetan Buddhists himself and no one else. Days ahead of his 90th birthday, the Dalai Lama had announced that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue. Rijiju, in posts on X today, after attending the 90th birthday celebrations of the Dalai Lama, said: 'I feel privileged to attend 90th birth anniversary celebrations of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. It feels like a deeply personal journey of reverence and gratitude.' '90th Birth Anniversary Celebrations of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama at Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh - a deeply spiritual gathering graced by His Holiness, along with Head Lamas of all Tibetan Buddhist & Bon traditions.' UNI RN
Al Anbat News
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Anbat News
Lot-drawing ceremony is a traditional religious ritual and historical convention that must be upheld in reincarnation of Living Buddhas: signed article
الأنباط - BEIJING, June 30 (Xinhua) -- The following is a signed article by Liu Huan, an assistant research fellow at the Institute of Ethnology and Anthropology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Lot-drawing ceremony is a traditional religious ritual and historical convention that must be upheld in reincarnation of Living Buddhas For a long time, the 14th Dalai Lama has been spreading fallacies and misleading public opinion on the issue of selecting the reincarnations of late Living Buddhas. Recently, he has gone further, falsely claiming that the golden urn lot-drawing system has adopted improper means and caused serious damage to Xizang. His intention is to negate the legal status of the system, thereby repudiating the sovereign jurisdiction of the central government over Xizang, creating an illusion that Xizang was historically an "independent state," and seeking so-called legitimacy for "Tibet independence." In fact, the golden urn lot-drawing ceremony is an important innovation in the development of the Living Buddha reincarnation system in Tibetan Buddhism that dates back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). The ceremony was established by law since the promulgation of the Imperially Approved Ordinance for Better Governance of Tibet (29-Article Ordinance) in 1793. Since then, it has become an essential procedure for the identification of the reincarnations of the Dalai Lama, the Panchen Erdeni and other grand Living Buddhas, gaining wide support and recognition from Tibetan Buddhists. The ceremony has played an important role in sustaining the healthy development and inheritance of Tibetan Buddhism and maintaining social stability in Xizang. I. The golden urn lot-drawing system is a result of conforming to historical trends The reincarnation of Living Buddhas is a method for religious leadership succession specific to Tibetan Buddhism. It was founded by the Karma Kagyu Sect in the 13th century and gradually adopted by other sects henceforth. Over the centuries, with the development and changes in the relation between politics and religion in Xizang, certain drawbacks in the reincarnation system were gradually exposed. In the Qing Dynasty, such problems became increasingly evident with Dharma protectors taking bribes and aristocrats colluding with temples to predetermine reincarnation candidates. Such behavior seriously disrupted the smooth successions of the grand Living Buddhas and even posed a potential threat to security in border areas. From the perspective of internal development, it became increasingly evident that members of the Tibetan aristocracy in the Qing Dynasty wantonly interfered with the selection and identification of reincarnations, in an attempt to expand their influence. When identifying reincarnations, the behavior of Chos Skyongs, or Dharma protectors who were responsible for practicing divination by drawing divining sticks or tossing coins, were left unchecked. Bribed by ecclesiastical and secular forces, they arbitrarily specified reincarnations -- therefore most of the selected boys came from aristocratic families, seriously undermining the sanctity and fairness of the reincarnation system. For instance, when searching for the Eighth Dalai Lama's reincarnation, although the Qing Dynasty government sent the third Zhangjia Living Buddha to Xizang to preside over related matters, the finally selected boy was related to the sixth Panchen; the younger brother and nephew of the third Zhangjia Living Buddha were respectively identified as the Nagya and Rakho Living Buddhas; the elder and younger brothers of the sixth Panchen became the Dhunpa Hutuktu of Tashilhumpo Monastery and the 10th Living Buddha of the red hat system of Karma Kagyu Sect respectively; one niece of the sixth Panchen was the Samding Dorje Phagmo Living Buddha. All these examples demonstrate manipulation by family forces on reincarnations. In response, Emperor Qianlong lamented in his article on Lamas that the reincarnations of grand Lamas seemed to have come from one family, which is almost the same as a hereditary title. From the perspective of the external political environment, the two invasions of Xizang by the Gorkha Tribe (located in central Nepal today) in the 18th century made the Qing Dynasty government realize that the lack of supervision over the selection of reincarnations of Living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism posed a threat to border stability. In 1779, the sixth Panchen traveled to Chengde to celebrate Emperor Qianlong's 70th birthday, and received large amounts of tributes from Mongolian and Tibetan noblemen as well as generous rewards granted by the emperor along the way and during his stay in Beijing. Unfortunately, after the sixth Panchen passed away in Beijing, all these properties were controlled by one of his brothers -- Dhunpa Hutuktu. However, another brother of his -- the 10th Living Buddha of the red hat system of Karma Kagyu Sect -- felt resentful and colluded with forces in Gorkha to invade Xizang and ransack the Tashilhunpo Monastery. The Qing Dynasty government sent troops to Xizang, with Fuk'anggan as the general. With the support of Tibetan monks and nuns, the Qing Dynasty troops forced the Gorkha troops to surrender and return the properties. The Gorkha invasion made the Qing Dynasty government realize that the combination of Living Buddha reincarnation and prominent families not only disrupted the succession order, but also posed deeper security risks. Failure to address this problem would lead to more serious border and territorial security issues. Faced with this grim situation, the Qing Dynasty government recognized the importance of strengthening the management of the reincarnation of Living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism. In the face of various drawbacks, the Qing Dynasty government followed the trend of historical development and formulated the golden urn lot-drawing system. After the end of the Gorkha War, the Qing government issued the Imperially Approved Ordinance for Better Governance of Tibet (29-Article Ordinance) (hereinafter referred to as the "Ordinance") in 1793, the first of which stipulated the establishment of the lot-drawing system. This system has henceforth been written into the Qing Dynasty's regulation for the department of foreign-related affairs and established at the legal level. According to the regulation, when searching for the reincarnations of grand Living Buddhas, the names and birthdates of the candidates need to be written on signboards in Manchu, Han and Tibetan languages, and placed in a specially made golden urn. The Qing Dynasty government's high commissioner in Xizang and the grand Living Buddhas would officially draw the lot to identify the signs in front of the statue of Sakyamuni Buddha in Jokhang Temple, and report to the central government for approval after selection. There are two golden urns, one placed in the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa for identifying the reincarnations of the grand Living Buddhas in Xizang; the other is placed in the Yonghegong Lama Temple in Beijing and used to identify the reincarnations of the grand Living Buddhas in various parts of Mongolia and the Tibetan-inhabited areas of Gansu and Qinghai provinces. Therefore, the golden urn lot-drawing system ensures that the reincarnations and successions of the grand Living Buddhas of Tibetan Buddhism are carried out under standardized and orderly conditions, effectively avoiding jobbery and collusion between ecclesiastical and secular forces. It has had a profound and far-reaching impact on maintaining the purity and dignity of the Living Buddha reincarnation system and stabilizing the social order in Mongolian and Tibetan-inhabited areas. It is the result of conforming to the trend of historical development. II. The golden urn lot-drawing system is widely supported and recognized by the Tibetan Buddhism community The establishment of the golden urn lot-drawing system has hitherto been sincerely supported and actively practiced by the upper echelons of the Gelug Sect, including the Eighth Dalai Lama. After the issuance of the "Ordinance," the Eighth Dalai Lama explicitly expressed his support for it and translated the text into Tibetan for publication across Xizang. In the subsequently issued proclamation for the Year of Water Buffalo, the Eighth Dalai Lama praised the golden urn lot-drawing system as the supreme grace of the central government to the monks and laymen of Xizang and the Gelug Sect, emphasizing the significance of this system for promoting Gelug and loving the people. At the same time, it was also clearly stated that after the implementation of the lot-drawing system, anyone who violates the regulations and selects the reincarnations willfully according to old customs will be severely punished. This proclamation not only demonstrated the respect of the Eighth Dalai Lama and the upper echelons of the Gelug Sect for the authority of the central government, but also showed their firm stance on maintaining the seriousness and purity of religious rituals, setting an example for various sects of Tibetan Buddhism to follow the system. Except for the Eighth Dalai Lama, many of the Gelug Sect Living Buddhas have demonstrated their recognition of the golden urn lot-drawing system through their actions. For instance, when the Qing court formulated the golden urn lot-drawing system, it took into account the distance between Lhasa and regions such as Chamdo, and permitted the recognition of reincarnations in those areas to proceed according to old practices. Nevertheless, the monasteries in Chamdo willingly undertook the arduous journey to Lhasa to conduct the golden urn lot-drawing ceremony. Under the leadership of the Living Buddha Pagbalha of Chamdo's Galden Jampaling Monastery, reincarnations of major Living Buddhas from places such as Riwoqê and Chagyab traveled to Lhasa for the golden urn lot-drawing, fully reflecting the Tibetan Buddhist community's acceptance of the ceremony. This voluntary practice clearly shows that from the moment the golden urn lot-drawing ceremony was introduced, it received widespread recognition within Tibetan Buddhist communities. The fairness, sanctity, and authority of the central government embodied in the system were highly acknowledged. After over 200 years of development, the system has become deeply rooted among both the religious and secular communities in Xizang. In addition, at the request of the Dalai Lama and the Gaxag government, several important golden urn lot-drawing ceremonies during the Qing Dynasty -- for selecting the reincarnations of the Dalai Lama and Panchen Erdeni -- were held in front of the memorial tablet of Emperor Kangxi and the portrait of Emperor Qianlong in the Potala Palace. This demonstrates the high regard and reverence the government of Xizang held for the central government and the golden urn lot-drawing system. Such support was not accidental, but rather the result of multiple factors. On the religious level, the golden urn lot-drawing ceremony inherited and standardized the traditional Tibetan Buddhist method of "divine judgment," aligning with the doctrine of "the Buddha's decision through dharma," thereby ensuring the sanctity of the recognition process for reincarnations, meeting the religious inheritance needs of the various Tibetan Buddhist sects. On the political level, understanding the importance of the central government's authority in helping maintain its influence in Xizang, the upper echelons of the Gelug Sect selected reincarnations by drawing lots from the golden urn and submitted the results for the central government's approval, conferring upon the reincarnations the legitimacy granted by the central government. On the social level, the system effectively curbed the social tensions and religious disorder caused by aristocratic manipulation and fraud in the old reincarnation practices, which strongly preserved social order in Xizang and are in line with the fundamental interests of all Tibetan Buddhist sects and the broader public. III. The golden urn lot-drawing ceremony is the only path for recognizing the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama Since the establishment of the golden urn lot-drawing system, the reincarnations of the Dalai Lama from the Ninth to the 14th, as well as many grand Living Buddhas from other sects of Tibetan Buddhism, have been confirmed either through the golden urn lot-drawing ceremony or, in some cases, exemption from the ceremony with approval from the central government. After the reincarnation of the Eighth Dalai Lama was identified, the Gaxag government of Xizang -- led by the regent Jedrung Hutuktu -- submitted a petition in the name of all the monks and laymen of Xizang, requesting exemption from the golden urn lot-drawing ceremony. The Qing Dynasty government granted this request as an exception. However, after the Ninth Dalai Lama passed away, the Gaxag government, with the regent Demo Hutuktu and others, again requested an exemption from the golden urn lot-drawing ceremony for the reincarnation, which the Qing Dynasty government did not permit. Emperor Jiaqing sternly rebuked the request, stating that the exemption granted for the reincarnation of the Eighth Dalai Lama was a special case, and firmly reaffirmed the principle that the recognition of a Dalai Lama's reincarnation must follow the golden urn lot-drawing procedure. Ultimately, on the 15th day of the first Lunar month in the second year of the Emperor Daoguang's reign (1822), the first-ever golden urn lot-drawing ceremony for the Dalai Lama's reincarnation was held, with Khenpo Kelzang Gyatso chosen as the reincarnation of the Ninth Dalai Lama. With the approval of the Qing government, he was formally enthroned at the Potala Palace as the 10th Dalai Lama. Thereafter, both the 11th and 12th Dalai Lamas were selected through the golden urn lot-drawing ceremony and formally enthroned with the approval of the central government. In the first year of the Emperor Guangxu's reign (1875), the 12th Dalai Lama passed away. The following year, the local government of Xizang submitted a formal petition to the Imperial Commissioner in Xizang, bearing the seals and signatures of the Kalöns, major Hutuktus, and Khenpos of the three great monasteries, respectfully requesting an exemption from the lot-drawing procedure. After the Imperial Commissioner reported the matter to the central government of Qing Dynasty, the exemption was approved, and the candidate was officially recognized as the 13th Dalai Lama. In 1933, following the passing of the 13th Dalai Lama, the Nationalist Government, then the central authorities of China, sent representative Huang Musong to Xizang to offer official condolences. In 1936, it issued a set of measures on the reincarnation of Living Buddhas. The regulations inherited Qing Dynasty's approach to governing Xizang by managing the reincarnation of Living Buddhas through legal means, clearly defining the scope of reincarnation, the reporting procedures for reincarnations, and the recognition process for different levels of Living Buddhas. The regulations reaffirmed key principles such as confirming reincarnations through drawing lots from the golden urn and having central government representatives to preside over the enthronement of grand Living Buddhas. In 1938, the regent Reting Rinpoche of Xizang submitted a petition to the central government requesting that the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama be exempted from the golden urn lot-drawing. After negotiations with the local authorities of Xizang, the Nationalist Government proposed conditions for the exemption: first, Wu Zhongxin, chief of the Mongolian and Tibetan Affairs Commission of the Nationalist Government, must personally travel to Xizang to verify whether the boy truly exhibited spiritual signs; second, Reting Rinpoche must formally submit a written request to the central government to officially seek exemption from the golden urn lot-drawing procedure. On February 5, 1940, the Nationalist Government issued an order approving Lhamo Thondup as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama, exempting him from the golden urn lot-drawing ceremony, and specially authorizing him to succeed as the 14th Dalai Lama. On February 22, Wu Zhongxin and Reting Rinpoche jointly presided over the enthronement ceremony of the 14th Dalai Lama. These historical facts demonstrate that the legitimacy of the 14th Dalai Lama also derived from the approval of the central government. Not only is this true for the lineage of the Dalai Lamas, but also for the lineages of other grand Living Buddhas, such as the Gelug sect's Panchen Erdeni, the Jebtsundamba Khutuktu, the Jamyang Hutuktu, as well as those of the Karma Kagyu Sect's Black Hat Living Buddhas and the Nyingma Sect's Dojezhak Living Buddha -- all of whom had their reincarnations selected through the golden urn lot-drawing ceremony. History fully demonstrates that the central government, in accordance with the law, holds the final approval authority over the recognition of reincarnations. The selection of a reincarnated Dalai Lama through drawing lots from the golden urn and subsequent approval by the central government is the only path for confirming the Dalai Lama's reincarnation. A review of history clearly shows that the system of the golden urn lot-drawing ceremony was an important measure adopted by the Qing Dynasty central government to eliminate malpractice in the recognition process of reincarnations in Tibetan Buddhism and improve the reincarnation system of Living Buddhas. This measure not only reflected the central government's respect for Tibetan Buddhism and its followers, but also demonstrated its authority in matters concerning the reincarnation of grand Living Buddhas such as the Dalai Lama. It remains a fundamental principle that must be upheld in the reincarnation of grand Living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism
India.com
04-07-2025
- Politics
- India.com
India Does Not...: MEA Reacts To Dalai Lamas Succession Plan Amid Chinese Push
India on Friday reacted to the Dalai Lama's succession plan, saying that it doesn't comment on religious matters and supports freedom of religion for all. The Ministry of External Affairs said that India will continue to uphold freedom of religion for all. The remark comes days after Dalai Lama's declaration that the Gaden Phodrang Trust, a non-profit institution he established, has the sole authority to recognise his future reincarnation. MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal says, "We have seen reports relating to the statement made by His Holiness the Dalai Lama about the continuation of the Dalai Lama institution." Jaishwal further said, "The government of India does not take any position or speak on matters concerning beliefs and practices of faith and religion. The government has always upheld freedom of religion for all in India and will continue to do so." China's Reaction Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong on Friday reiterated China's official stance on the reincarnation process of Tibetan Buddhist leaders, emphasising that it is governed by time-honoured rituals and cannot be determined by any one individual. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the envoy said, "The reincarnation of Living Buddhas follows a fully developed set of established rituals, and has never been decided by a single individual including the 14th Dalai Lama himself." Indian Minister's Remark Union Minister of Minority Affairs of India Kiren Rijiju recently asserted that the choice of the Dalai Lama's successor should rest solely with the spiritual leader himself, reflecting the belief of his followers worldwide amid China's recent statement on the matter. "I am a devotee of the Dalai Lama. Anybody in the world who follows the Dalai Lama wants his successor to be chosen by the Dalai Lama himself," Rijiju said. China vs Tibet China has been trying to exert control over Tibetan Buddhist traditions, particularly the reincarnation process of high-ranking lamas like the Dalai Lama. Over a lifetime in exile, the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, has become synonymous with Tibet and its quest for genuine autonomy under Beijing's tightening grip on the Himalayan region.
