Latest news with #IndianHimalayan
The Age
16 hours ago
- Politics
- The Age
Dalai Lama says he will be reincarnated, and only his trust can choose a successor
Dharamshala, India: The Dalai Lama said on Wednesday that he will be reincarnated and that his non-profit institution will have the sole authority to identify his reincarnation. His comments came at a gathering of monks in Dharamshala, the Indian Himalayan town where he has lived in exile for more than half a century, to chart the future of his spiritual office and how it might survive growing pressure from China. The remarks by the Tibetan Buddhist leader, who turns 90 on Sunday, end speculation among millions of followers about whether there would be another Dalai Lama after his death. In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning reiterated that Beijing had to approve the identity of the successor and that it had to be done in China through a centuries-old ritual. Beijing views the Dalai Lama, who fled to India from Tibet in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule, as a separatist. The Dalai Lama has previously said his successor will be born outside China and urged his followers to reject anyone chosen by Beijing. Loading Samdhong Rinpoche, a senior official of the Dalai Lama's non-profit trust, told reporters that the Dalai Lama was in good health, and he had not given any written instructions on the succession. His successor could be of any gender, and their nationality would not be restricted to Tibet, Rinpoche said. The Dalai Lama's remarks came during a week of celebrations to mark his birthday, which is expected to be closely watched by the US, India and China for clues about his successor, for strategic reasons.
Sydney Morning Herald
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Dalai Lama says he will be reincarnated, and only his trust can choose a successor
Dharamshala, India: The Dalai Lama said on Wednesday that he will be reincarnated and that his non-profit institution will have the sole authority to identify his reincarnation. His comments came at a gathering of monks in Dharamshala, the Indian Himalayan town where he has lived in exile for more than half a century, to chart the future of his spiritual office and how it might survive growing pressure from China. The remarks by the Tibetan Buddhist leader, who turns 90 on Sunday, end speculation among millions of followers about whether there would be another Dalai Lama after his death. In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning reiterated that Beijing had to approve the identity of the successor and that it had to be done in China through a centuries-old ritual. Beijing views the Dalai Lama, who fled to India from Tibet in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule, as a separatist. The Dalai Lama has previously said his successor will be born outside China and urged his followers to reject anyone chosen by Beijing. Loading Samdhong Rinpoche, a senior official of the Dalai Lama's non-profit trust, told reporters that the Dalai Lama was in good health, and he had not given any written instructions on the succession. His successor could be of any gender, and their nationality would not be restricted to Tibet, Rinpoche said. The Dalai Lama's remarks came during a week of celebrations to mark his birthday, which is expected to be closely watched by the US, India and China for clues about his successor, for strategic reasons.
Kuwait Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Dalai Lama suggests institution to continue at 90th birthday launch
MCLEOD GANJ, India: Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, gave on Monday the strongest indication yet that the 600-year-old institution would continue after his death, at prayer celebrations for his 90th birthday. The Dalai Lama joined thousands of Buddhist followers on Monday in the prayer celebrations, a landmark event resonating far beyond the Indian Himalayan town where he has lived for decades. 'As far as the institution of the Dalai Lama, there will be some kind of a framework within which we can talk about its continuation', he said, speaking in Tibetan. The leader, who turns 90 on July 6, is according to Tibetans the 14th reincarnation of the Dalai Lama. He and thousands of other Tibetans have lived in exile in India since Chinese troops crushed an uprising in the Tibetan capital Lhasa in 1959. Draped in traditional maroon and yellow robes, the Dalai Lama sat and listened to speeches and chants of monks, nuns, pilgrims, as well as well-wishers from across the world on Monday. 'Though I am 90 years old, physically I am very healthy,' he said, before tasting a slice of Tibetan-style birthday cake, an elaborately decorated tower made from roasted barley and butter cut in front of him. 'In the time I have left, I will continue to dedicate myself to the well-being of others as much as possible,' he said. The Dalai Lama's 90th birthday is more than a personal milestone. The charismatic Nobel Peace Prize-winning Buddhist Tenzin Gyatso is also expected to reveal if there will be another Dalai Lama after him. The Dalai Lama has said the institution will continue only if there is popular demand — and is widely expected to reveal that decision on Wednesday. The occasion carries profound weight not only for Tibetans, but also for global supporters who see the Dalai Lama as a symbol of non-violence, compassion, and the enduring struggle for Tibetan cultural identity under Chinese rule. 'We offer our fervent devotions that Tenzin Gyatso, protector of the Land of Snows, lives for one hundred eons,' a chorus of red-robed monks sang. 'May all your noble aspirations be fulfilled,' they added, in front of a crowd that included religious leaders of many faiths. His advancing age has also sparked concern over the future of Tibetan leadership and the delicate question of his succession. While China condemns him as a rebel and separatist, the internationally recognized Dalai Lama describes himself as a 'simple Buddhist monk'. Many exiled Tibetans fear China will name a successor to bolster control over a territory it poured troops into in 1950. The Dalai Lama has been lauded by his followers for his tireless campaign for greater autonomy for Tibet, a vast high-altitude plateau in China about the size of South Africa. The Dalai Lama handed over political authority in 2011 to an exiled government chosen democratically by 130,000 Tibetans globally. At the same time, he warned that the future of his spiritual post faced an 'obvious risk of vested political interests misusing the reincarnation system'. — AFP
eNCA
2 days ago
- Politics
- eNCA
Dalai Lama prays at landmark 90th birthday launch
MCLEOD GANJ - Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, joined thousands of Buddhist followers on Monday in 90th birthday prayer celebrations, a landmark resonating far beyond the Indian Himalayan town where he has lived for decades. Draped in traditional maroon and yellow robes, the Dalai Lama sat and listened to speeches and chants of monks, nuns, pilgrims, as well as well-wishers from across the world. The leader, who turns 90 on July 6, and thousands of other Tibetans have lived in exile in India since Chinese troops crushed an uprising in the Tibetan capital Lhasa in 1959. The Dalai Lama's 90th birthday is more than a personal milestone. The charismatic Nobel Peace Prize-winning Buddhist Tenzin Gyatso -- who Tibetans say is the 14th reincarnation of the 600-year-old post -- is also expected to reveal if there will be another Dalai Lama after him. "We offer our fervent devotions that Tenzin Gyatso, protector of the Land of Snows, lives for a 100 eons," a chorus of red-robed monks sang. "May all your noble aspirations be fulfilled," they added, in front of a crowd that included religious leaders of many faiths. The Dalai Lama has said the institution will continue only if there is popular demand -- and is widely expected to reveal that decision on Wednesday. The occasion carries profound weight not only for Tibetans, but also for global supporters who see the Dalai Lama as a symbol of non-violence, compassion, and the enduring struggle for Tibetan cultural identity under Chinese rule. His advancing age has also sparked concern over the future of Tibetan leadership and the delicate question of his succession. While China condemns him as a rebel and separatist, the internationally recognised Dalai Lama describes himself as a "simple Buddhist monk".
Bangkok Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Dalai Lama says institution will continue during 90th birthday celebration
MCLEOD GANJ, India - Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, gave on Monday the strongest indication yet that the 600-year-old institution would continue after his death, at prayer celebrations for his 90th birthday. The Dalai Lama joined thousands of Buddhist followers on Monday in the prayer celebrations, a landmark event resonating far beyond the Indian Himalayan town where he has lived for decades. "As far as the institution of the Dalai Lama, there will be some kind of a framework within which we can talk about its continuation", he said, speaking in Tibetan. The leader, who turns 90 on July 6, is according to Tibetans the 14th reincarnation of the Dalai Lama. He and thousands of other Tibetans have lived in exile in India since Chinese troops crushed an uprising in the Tibetan capital Lhasa in 1959. Draped in traditional maroon and yellow robes, the Dalai Lama sat and listened to speeches and chants of monks, nuns, pilgrims, as well as well-wishers from across the world on Monday. "Though I am 90 years old, physically I am very healthy," he said, before tasting a slice of Tibetan-style birthday cake, an elaborately decorated tower made from roasted barley and butter cut in front of him. "In the time I have left, I will continue to dedicate myself to the well-being of others as much as possible," he said. - 'Continuation' - The Dalai Lama's 90th birthday is more than a personal milestone. The charismatic Nobel Peace Prize-winning Buddhist Tenzin Gyatso is also expected to reveal if there will be another Dalai Lama after him. The Dalai Lama has said the institution will continue only if there is popular demand -- and is widely expected to reveal that decision on Wednesday. The occasion carries profound weight not only for Tibetans, but also for global supporters who see the Dalai Lama as a symbol of non-violence, compassion, and the enduring struggle for Tibetan cultural identity under Chinese rule. "We offer our fervent devotions that Tenzin Gyatso, protector of the Land of Snows, lives for one hundred eons," a chorus of red-robed monks sang. "May all your noble aspirations be fulfilled," they added, in front of a crowd that included religious leaders of many faiths. His advancing age has also sparked concern over the future of Tibetan leadership and the delicate question of his succession. While China condemns him as a rebel and separatist, the internationally recognised Dalai Lama describes himself as a "simple Buddhist monk". Many exiled Tibetans fear China will name a successor to bolster control over a territory it poured troops into in 1950. The Dalai Lama has been lauded by his followers for his tireless campaign for greater autonomy for Tibet, a vast high-altitude plateau in China about the size of South Africa. The Dalai Lama handed over political authority in 2011 to an exiled government chosen democratically by 130,000 Tibetans globally. At the same time, he warned that the future of his spiritual post faced an "obvious risk of vested political interests misusing the reincarnation system".
