Key Points
- Dalai Lama declares that the 600-year-old institution will continue after his passing and will independently select his reincarnation.
- The Gaden Phodrang Trust, the Dalai Lama’s official office, will have exclusive authority over the recognition of the 15th Dalai Lama.
- China’s attempts to interfere in the selection process are firmly rejected.
- The process will follow established Tibetan Buddhist traditions and involve consultation with senior Buddhist leaders and Dharma protectors.
- Statement comes days before the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday, sending a strong message to followers and Beijing.
Dharamshala: Tibet’s spiritual leader, the 14th Dalai Lama, has issued a powerful and unambiguous statement reaffirming that the centuries-old institution of the Dalai Lama will continue after his death, and that only his official office the Gaden Phodrang Trust will decide on the recognition of his next reincarnation. This declaration comes amid ongoing Chinese efforts to assert control over the succession process, and just days before the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday on July 6.
Gaden Phodrang Trust: Sole Authority Over Reincarnation
In an official statement released on Wednesday, the Dalai Lama emphasized that the Gaden Phodrang Trust the office established to manage his spiritual and temporal affairs will have the exclusive right to recognize the 15th Dalai Lama. This directly counters China’s repeated claims that it should play a key role in the selection process, a move widely seen as an attempt to tighten its grip on Tibet and influence Tibetan Buddhism.
Reaffirming the 2011 Statement and Traditional Process
The Dalai Lama recalled his 2011 statement, which clearly outlined the process for selecting his successor. He reiterated that the responsibility lies solely with the Gaden Phodrang Trust and members of his office. The process will involve:
- Consultation with the heads of all major Tibetan Buddhist traditions
- Involvement of trusted Dharma protectors linked to the Dalai Lama’s lineage
- Strict adherence to centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist practices and customs
No External Interference Permitted
In his statement, the Dalai Lama was unequivocal:
“I reiterate once again that the Gaden Phodrang Trust has the sole right to recognize future reincarnations. No one else has any right to interfere in this matter.”
This is a direct rebuke to Beijing, which has long sought to control Tibetan religious institutions and use the reincarnation process to legitimize its authority in Tibet.
Global Impact and Significance
The Dalai Lama’s announcement carries immense significance for millions of Buddhists worldwide, as well as for the future of Tibetan identity and religious freedom. By publicly reaffirming the autonomy of the Tibetan spiritual tradition, he has sent a clear message to China and the international community:
The legacy and future of Tibetan Buddhism will be safeguarded by Tibetans themselves, following their own traditions free from external political interference.
Context: China’s Push for Control
For years, China has insisted that it must approve the next Dalai Lama, even issuing its own regulations on reincarnations of Tibetan lamas. The Tibetan community and international human rights groups have condemned these moves as an attempt to erode Tibetan culture and religious independence.
As the Dalai Lama approaches his 90th birthday, his statement reaffirms the enduring resilience of Tibetan culture and the determination to preserve spiritual traditions against outside pressure. The world will be watching closely as the process of selecting the 15th Dalai Lama unfolds in the years ahead.
