Latest news with #Lhasa
The Independent
16 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Dalai Lama announces reincarnation plan
The 14th Dalai Lama has affirmed that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue after his death, responding to appeals from Tibetans. He said that his Gaden Phodrang Trust holds the sole authority to recognise his future reincarnation. The Dalai Lama said that his successor will be born outside China and urged followers to reject any candidate appointed by Beijing. He reiterated that no one else has the authority to interfere in the reincarnation process, specifically excluding external interference. The Chinese government, which claims sole authority to name a successor, has accused the Dalai Lama of attempting to manipulate the reincarnation process.
Daily Mail
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Dalai Lama makes announcement over whether he will have a successor, as Buddhists around the world fear an end to the 600-year institution
The exiled spiritual leader of Tibet has confirmed that he will have a successor when he dies, reassuring Buddhist followers around the globe that the 600-year-old institution of the Dalai Lama will continue. It is a landmark decision for Tibetans, many of whom had feared a future without a leader. Supporters around the world who see the Dalai Lama as a symbol of non-violence, compassion and the enduring struggle for Tibetan cultural identity under Chinese rule will also be relieved at the decision. According to Tibetans, Tenzin Gyatso is the 14th reincarnation of the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama is 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. 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. The charismatic Nobel Peace Prize-winning Buddhist had previously said the institution of Dalai Lama would continue only if there was popular demand. He said Wednesday he had received multiple appeals over the past 14 years from Tibetan diaspora in exile, Buddhists from across the Himalayan region, Mongolia and parts of Russia and China, 'earnestly requesting that the institution of the Dalai Lama continue'. 'In particular, I have received messages through various channels from Tibetans in Tibet making the same appeal,' he said in a video broadcast at the start of a meeting of religious leaders in the Indian Himalayan town where he has lived for decades. 'In accordance with all these requests, I am affirming that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue,' he added, according to an official translation. His advanced age had also sparked concern over the future of Tibetan leadership and the delicate question of his succession. The announcement was made ahead of his 90th birthday on July 6. 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 its own successor to bolster control over a territory it poured troops into in 1950. But the Dalai Lama said Wednesday that responsibility for identifying the 15th Dalai Lama 'will rest exclusively' with the India-based Gaden Phodrang Trust, the office of the Dalai Lama. '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. Chemi Lhamo, 30, a Tibetan activist in exile, said she was convinced the continuation of the role of Dalai Lama would serve the cause of a Tibetans. 'There isn't a doubt that the Dalai Lama institution will also continue to serve the benefit of humanity,' Lhamo said, adding the announcement sent a message to Beijing to 'unequivocally reject' any role in identifying the future leader. 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'.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Dalai Lama suggests institution to continue at 90th birthday launch
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". str-pjm/hmn
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Dalai Lama prays at landmark 90th birthday launch
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". Many exiled Tibetans fear China will name a successor to bolster control over a territory it poured troops into in 1950. str-pjm/tc
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Dalai Lama suggests institution to continue at 90th birthday launch
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". str-pjm/hmn
