DHARAMSHALA, India — In a pre-recorded video message released just days ahead of his 90th birthday, the Dalai Lama, Tibetan Buddhism’s foremost spiritual leader, affirmed that the institution of the Dalai Lama will persist.
This message was broadcast at the outset of a three-day religious conference in Dharamshala, the Indian town that has served as his exile home since a failed Tibetan uprising in 1959.
The aging leader, appearing frail and reading slowly, conveyed his thoughts in Tibetan, pausing frequently during the delivery.
On his official website, the English translation of his statement indicated that the search for his successor will be conducted by The Gaden Phodrang Trust, a religious entity comprised of Buddhist monks associated with the Dalai Lama’s office in India.
In a veiled reference to the authority claimed by China over this matter, the statement noted that “no one else has any such authority to interfere in the matter.”
This declaration comes amidst ongoing tensions, as China asserts its right to appoint the next leader of Tibetan Buddhism.
The Dalai Lama, known as Lhamo Thondup in his earlier life, is the 14th person to hold the title, having been born into a farming family in 1935.
At the age of two, he was identified by a Tibetan government search party as the reincarnation of the previous Dalai Lama after successfully recognizing items that belonged to his predecessor.
“In every case, the infant correctly identified those belonging to the 13th Dalai Lama, saying, ‘It’s mine. It’s mine,’” his official website recounts.
While the timeline for locating his successor remains unclear, the Dalai Lama has mentioned that the process would proceed “in accordance with tradition,” which may take several years.
In previous discussions, he has entertained the idea that his successor might be an adult, possibly a woman, or perhaps there may be no successor at all.
In his latest book, *Voice for the Voiceless*, he suggested that the next Dalai Lama will be born “in the free world” rather than within China.
The Chinese government views the current Dalai Lama as a “political exile engaged in separatist activities under the guise of religion,” as characterized by Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning.
Mao firmly stated that the spiritual leader “has absolutely no right to represent the people” of Tibet.
At a press conference, Mao elaborated, insisting that the reincarnations of high-ranking lamas must be sanctioned by the central government and that they should adhere to religious customs while being subject to national laws and regulations.
In 2007, China enacted legislation mandating that the search for reincarnated lamas occur exclusively within its territory, asserting government control over the recognition process.
The law stipulates the use of a ritual in which potential candidates’ names are placed in a golden urn, and the one drawn is deemed the reincarnation.
Tibetans argue that history shows many Dalai Lamas have not been born in China, nor have they been chosen using this urn method.
China’s claims to authority extend to appointing clerics in various religions, drawing on historical precedents.
For instance, during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), some emperors selected Tibetan lamas as their spiritual guides, fostering claims to control over large areas including Tibet and Mongolia.
As noted by Gray Tuttle, Assistant Professor of Modern Tibetan Studies at Columbia University, this method of governance allowed local leaders to maintain authority while operating under the broader empire.
However, within Tibetan Buddhism, it is believed that high-ranking lamas possess the ability to control when and where they reincarnate, presenting an interesting conflict with China’s imposed decrees.
Cameron Warner, an associate professor at Aarhus University, remarked that if the current Dalai Lama declares he will not reincarnate in China, from a religious standpoint, there is little that China can do to dictate this outcome.
Upon the passing of the Dalai Lama, a team of esteemed lamas, often supervised by a regent, will embark on a search for the new
image source from：npr
