Dalai Lama: Tibetan Buddhist leader reveals succession plan without China’s sway

The Dalai Lama has made a historic announcement regarding the future of the Tibetan Buddhist institution after his passing. In a recorded statement aired at a religious gathering in India, the spiritual leader laid out his plans for the succession process, emphasizing that it should be carried out without any interference from the Chinese government.

As the 14th reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso has been a prominent figure in Tibetan Buddhism since 1940. After fleeing Tibet following a Chinese crackdown in 1959, he has worked tirelessly to advocate for the autonomy of the Tibetan people, establishing a government-in-exile in Dharamshala, India.

In his recent address, the Dalai Lama stated that the responsibility of selecting his successor will rest solely with the members of the Gaden Phodrang Trust, a non-profit organization he founded in 2015. He emphasized that the trust should consult with various heads of Tibetan Buddhist traditions and Dharma Protectors, who are integral to the lineage of the Dalai Lamas, in accordance with past traditions.

The spiritual leader reiterated that the Gaden Phodrang Trust has the exclusive authority to recognize the future reincarnation, and that no external entity should interfere in the process. Tibetan Buddhists believe that the Dalai Lama has the ability to choose the body into which he will be reincarnated, a belief that has been upheld for centuries.

China, however, has long sought to exert control over the selection of the next Dalai Lama, passing a law in 2007 that mandates the process must take place within Chinese territory. This move has been condemned by the Tibetan government-in-exile and human rights organizations as an infringement on religious freedom.

The Dalai Lama’s succession plan holds significant political and spiritual implications for Tibetans, who have faced challenges in preserving their cultural identity under Chinese rule. The announcement has been met with both support and skepticism, with many Tibetans expressing their devotion to the continuation of the Dalai Lama tradition.

Amidst China’s efforts to influence the selection process, the Dalai Lama has urged his followers to reject any candidate chosen by Beijing. The current president of the Tibetan government-in-exile, Penpa Tsering, emphasized the importance of upholding the unique Tibetan Buddhist tradition of selecting the Dalai Lama without external interference.

The search for the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation typically begins after his passing, with senior monastic disciples identifying the successor based on spiritual signs and visions. The process can take several years before the next Dalai Lama is officially recognized and prepared to assume leadership.

The Dalai Lama’s decision to ensure the continuity of the institution beyond his lifetime is a significant milestone in Tibetan Buddhism. By asserting that the succession process should be free from external influence, he has reaffirmed the spiritual integrity of the Dalai Lama lineage.