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Al Jazeera
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
China says Tibet-related issues a ‘thorn' in relations with India
The succession of the Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama is a 'thorn' in China-India relations, says the Chinese embassy in New Delhi. The remarks on Sunday came ahead of the first visit by India's foreign minister to China since the deadly border clashes between the South Asian powers in 2020. 'In reality, [the] Xizang-related issue is a thorn in China-India relations and has become a burden for India,' Yu Jing, a Chinese embassy spokesperson, posted on X, referring to 'Xizang', the Chinese name for Tibet. Ahead of celebrations this month for his 90th birthday that were attended by senior Indian ministers, the Dalai Lama angered China again by saying it had no role in his succession. Tibetans believe the soul of any senior Buddhist monk is reincarnated after his death, but China says the succession will also have to be approved by its leaders. The Dalai Lama has been living in exile in India since 1959 following a failed uprising against Chinese rule in Tibet. Indian foreign relations experts say his presence gives New Delhi leverage against China. India is also home to about 70,000 Tibetans and a Tibetan government-in-exile. In her post, spokesperson Yu, without naming anyone, said some people from strategic and academic communities in India had made 'improper remarks' on the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama. 'As professionals in foreign affairs, they should be fully cognizant of the sensitivity of issues related to Xizang,' Yu said. 'The reincarnation and succession of the Dalai Lama is inherently an internal affair of China.' 🔹It has been noted some people from strategic and academic communities, including former officials, have made some improper remarks on the reincarnation of Dalai Lama, contrary to Indian government's public stance.🔹As professionals in foreign affairs, they should be fully… — Yu Jing (@ChinaSpox_India) July 13, 2025 Indian Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, who sat next to the Dalai Lama during his 90th birthday festivities a week ago, has said that as a practising Buddhist, he believes only the spiritual leader and his office have the authority to decide on his reincarnation. India's Foreign Ministry said on July 4, two days before the Dalai Lama's birthday, that New Delhi does not take any position or speak on matters concerning beliefs and practices of faith and religion. India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will be attending a regional security meeting under the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in Tianjin in northern China on July 15 and hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines. This will be one of the highest-level visits between India and China since their relations nosedived after a deadly border clash in 2020 that killed at least 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Simple Buddhist monk' Dalai Lama marks landmark 90th birthday
Calling himself a "simple Buddhist monk" who usually didn't celebrate birthdays, the Dalai Lama marked his 90th on Sunday by praying for peace after China insisted it would have final say on who succeeded the Tibetan spiritual leader. Chanting of red-robed monks and nuns rang out from Himalayan hilltop forested temples in India, home to the Dalai Lama since he and thousands of other Tibetans fled Chinese troops who crushed an uprising in their capital Lhasa in 1959. "I am just a simple Buddhist monk; I don't normally engage in birthday celebrations," the Dalai Lama said in a message, thanking those marking it with him for using the opportunity "to cultivate peace of mind and compassion". Dressed in traditional robes and a flowing yellow wrap, walking with the aid of two monks while flashing his trademark beaming smile to thousands of followers, he watched dramatic dance troupes with clanging cymbals before the start of prayers. Beijing condemns the Nobel Peace Prize winner -- who has led a lifelong campaign for greater autonomy for Tibet, a vast high-altitude plateau -- as a rebel and separatist. Alongside the celebrations, however, is the worry for Tibetans in exile that China will name its successor to bolster control over the territory it poured troops into in 1950 and has ruled ever since. That raises the likelihood of rival challengers to the post; one by self-declared atheist Beijing, the other by the Dalai Lama's office based in neighbouring India, a regional rival of China. - 'Good heart' - The celebrations on Sunday are the culmination of days of long-life prayers for Tenzin Gyatso, who followers believe is the 14th reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, a man whose moral teachings and idiosyncratic humour have made him one of the world's most popular religious leaders. "While it is important to work for material development, it is vital to focus on achieving peace of mind through cultivating a good heart and by being compassionate, not just toward near and dear ones, but toward everyone," he said in his birthday message. "Through this, you will contribute to making the world a better place." The celebrations also included his key announcement that, after being inundated with messages of support from fellow Tibetans both inside and in exile, the spiritual institution will continue after his death. He said he had received appeals from followers from across the Himalayan region, Mongolia and parts of Russia and China. The seemingly esoteric matters of reincarnation have real-world political consequences, with Tibetans fearing his death will mark a major setback in his push for more autonomy for the Himalayan region. The Dalai Lama said his India-based office alone would "exclusively" identify that successor -- prompting a swift and sharp reply from China that the reincarnation "must be approved by the central government" in Beijing. China said the succession would be carried out "by drawing lots from a golden urn", foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters on Wednesday. That urn is held by Beijing, and the Dalai Lama has warned that, when used dishonestly, it lacks "any spiritual quality". str-pjm/sco
Times of Oman
06-07-2025
- General
- Times of Oman
Dalai Lama appreciates birthday celebrations, urges people to cultivate peace of mind, compassion
Dharamshala: Ahead of his 90th birthday, the 14th Dalai Lama expressed his appreciation for the celebrations being held in his honour by urging people to focus on cultivating compassion and peace of mind. In a post on X, the Dalai Lama wrote, "On the occasion of my 90th birthday, I understand that well-wishers and friends in many places, including Tibetan communities, are gathering for celebrations. I particularly appreciate the fact that many of you are using the occasion to engage in initiatives that highlight the importance of compassion, warm-heartedness, and altruism." He humbly referred to himself as "just a simple Buddhist monk" and noted that he doesn't normally engage in birthday celebrations. However, he wished to share some thoughts on the occasion. "While it is important to work for material development, it is vital to focus on achieving peace of mind through cultivating a good heart and by being compassionate, not just toward near and dear ones, but toward everyone. Through this, you will contribute to making the world a better place," the Tibetan leader affirmed. The Dalai Lama reaffirmed his commitment to promoting human values, religious harmony, and the preservation of Tibetan culture and heritage. "As for myself, I will continue to focus on my commitments of promoting human values, and religious harmony, drawing attention to the ancient Indian wisdom which explains the workings of mind and emotions, and Tibetan culture and heritage, which has so much potential to contribute to the world through its emphasis on peace of mind and compassion," he said. The Dalai Lama drew inspiration from the teachings of the Buddha and Indian masters, such as Shantideva, whose aspiration he strives to uphold. "I develop determination and courage in my daily life through the teachings of the Buddha and Indian masters such as Shantideva, whose following aspiration I strive to uphold," he said. "As long as space endures, As long as sentient beings remain, Until then, may I too remain To dispel the miseries of the world," he added. The Dalai Lama expressed his gratitude to those celebrating his birthday and using the occasion to cultivate peace of mind and compassion. "Thank you for using the opportunity of my birthday to cultivate peace of mind and compassion," he said. Celebrations are underway in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, ahead of the 90th birthday of the Tibetan spiritual leader, the 14th Dalai Lama. According to the Gregorian calendar, the Dalai Lama's birthday is officially observed on July 6. The occasion is being marked with festive spirit and devotion by Tibetan communities and followers across the region. On July 2, the Dalai Lama stated that the Gaden Phodrang Trust, a foundation established by him, can only recognise future reincarnations, and no one else has the authority to decide on the matter. This statement rules out any say for China in the process of naming the next Dalai Lama. In a statement on Wednesday, Dalai Lama stated, "The process by which a future Dalai Lama is to be recognized has been clearly established in the 24 September 2011 statement, which states that responsibility for doing so will rest exclusively with members of the Gaden Phodrang Trust, the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. They should consult the various heads of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions and the reliable oath-bound Dharma Protectors who are linked inseparably to the lineage of the Dalai Lamas. They should accordingly carry out the procedures of search and recognition in accordance with past tradition." "I hereby reiterate that the Gaden Phodrang Trust has sole authority to recognise the future reincarnation; no one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter, he added.
CNA
06-07-2025
- Politics
- CNA
'Simple Buddhist monk' Dalai Lama turns 90, vows to keep defying China for years
DHARAMSHALA, India: Calling himself a "simple Buddhist monk" who usually didn't celebrate birthdays, the Dalai Lama marked his 90th on Sunday (Jul 6) by praying for peace after China insisted it would have final say on who succeeded the Tibetan spiritual leader. Chanting of red-robed monks and nuns rang out from Himalayan hilltop forested temples in India, home to the Dalai Lama since he and thousands of other Tibetans fled Chinese troops in Lhasa in 1959. "I am just a simple Buddhist monk; I don't normally engage in birthday celebrations," the Dalai Lama said in a message, thanking those marking it with him for using the opportunity "to cultivate peace of mind and compassion". Dressed in traditional robes and a flowing yellow wrap, walking with the aid of two monks while flashing his trademark beaming smile to thousands of followers, he watched dramatic dance troupes with clanging cymbals before the start of prayers. The spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists turned 90 after a week of celebrations by followers during which he riled China again and spoke about his hope to live beyond 130 and reincarnate after dying. The Nobel laureate is regarded as one of the world's most influential religious leaders, with a following that extends well beyond Buddhism, but not by Beijing which calls him a separatist. Fleeing his native Tibet in 1959 in the wake of a failed uprising against Chinese rule, the 14th Dalai Lama along with hundreds of thousands of Tibetans took shelter in India and has since advocated for a peaceful "Middle Way" to seek autonomy and religious freedom for Tibetan people. Thousands of followers from around the world, celebrities and officials from the United States and India, are expected at the birthday celebrations in Dharamshala, the small Indian town in the foothills of the Himalayas where the Dalai Lama lives. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also sent his well wishes. "I join 1.4 billion Indians in extending our warmest wishes to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday," Modi said in a statement. During the celebrations, which will include cultural performances and remarks by long-time follower and Hollywood star Richard Gere as well as federal Indian ministers, the Dalai Lama is scheduled to deliver a speech. The preceding week of celebrations was particularly important for Tibetan Buddhists as the Dalai Lama had previously mentioned that he would speak about his succession at his 90th birthday. On Wednesday, he allayed their concerns about the future of the institution of the Dalai Lama by saying that he would reincarnate as the leader of the faith upon his death and that his non-profit institution, the Gaden Phodrang Trust, had the sole authority to recognise his successor. China has said that the succession will have to be approved by its leaders. It said the succession would be carried out "by drawing lots from a golden urn", foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters on Wednesday. That urn is held by Beijing, and the Dalai Lama has warned that, when used dishonestly, it lacks "any spiritual quality". The US, which is seeking to counter the rise of China, has called on Beijing to cease what it describes as interference in the succession of the Dalai Lama and other Tibetan Buddhist lamas.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
'Simple Buddhist monk' Dalai Lama marks landmark 90th birthday
Calling himself a "simple Buddhist monk" who usually didn't celebrate birthdays, the Dalai Lama marked his 90th on Sunday by praying for peace after China insisted it would have final say on who succeeded the Tibetan spiritual leader. Chanting of red-robed monks and nuns rang out from Himalayan hilltop forested temples in India, home to the Dalai Lama since he and thousands of other Tibetans fled Chinese troops who crushed an uprising in their capital Lhasa in 1959. "I am just a simple Buddhist monk; I don't normally engage in birthday celebrations," the Dalai Lama said in a message, thanking those marking it with him for using the opportunity "to cultivate peace of mind and compassion". Dressed in traditional robes and a flowing yellow wrap, walking with the aid of two monks while flashing his trademark beaming smile to thousands of followers, he watched dramatic dance troupes with clanging cymbals before the start of prayers. Beijing condemns the Nobel Peace Prize winner -- who has led a lifelong campaign for greater autonomy for Tibet, a vast high-altitude plateau -- as a rebel and separatist. Alongside the celebrations, however, is the worry for Tibetans in exile that China will name its successor to bolster control over the territory it poured troops into in 1950 and has ruled ever since. That raises the likelihood of rival challengers to the post; one by self-declared atheist Beijing, the other by the Dalai Lama's office based in neighbouring India, a regional rival of China. - 'Good heart' - The celebrations on Sunday are the culmination of days of long-life prayers for Tenzin Gyatso, who followers believe is the 14th reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, a man whose moral teachings and idiosyncratic humour have made him one of the world's most popular religious leaders. "While it is important to work for material development, it is vital to focus on achieving peace of mind through cultivating a good heart and by being compassionate, not just toward near and dear ones, but toward everyone," he said in his birthday message. "Through this, you will contribute to making the world a better place." The celebrations also included his key announcement that, after being inundated with messages of support from fellow Tibetans both inside and in exile, the spiritual institution will continue after his death. He said he had received appeals from followers from across the Himalayan region, Mongolia and parts of Russia and China. The seemingly esoteric matters of reincarnation have real-world political consequences, with Tibetans fearing his death will mark a major setback in his push for more autonomy for the Himalayan region. The Dalai Lama said his India-based office alone would "exclusively" identify that successor -- prompting a swift and sharp reply from China that the reincarnation "must be approved by the central government" in Beijing. China said the succession would be carried out "by drawing lots from a golden urn", foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters on Wednesday. That urn is held by Beijing, and the Dalai Lama has warned that, when used dishonestly, it lacks "any spiritual quality". str-pjm/sco
