The Dalai Lama, facing increasing pressure from the Chinese government, convened senior Tibetan Buddhist monks in Dharamsala to discuss the succession of his spiritual leadership. In a video address, he emphasized that only his office has the authority to recognize his reincarnation, implying a proactive stance against potential interference from Beijing. Historically exiled since 1959, the Dalai Lama has previously relinquished political power to strengthen democracy among Tibetans. As he approaches his 90th birthday, he hints that his successor could come from the Tibetan exile community, potentially breaking with traditional norms.
Dalai Lama Takes Steps to Secure Succession Amid Chinese Pressure
Dalai Lama Takes Steps to Secure Succession Amid Chinese Pressure
In a key meeting in Dharamsala, the Dalai Lama seeks to solidify his spiritual office's future to mitigate the threat from China's influence.
The Dalai Lama gathered senior Tibetan Buddhist monks on Wednesday in Dharamsala, the Himalayan town where he has lived in exile for over half a century, to chart the future of his spiritual office — and how it might survive growing pressure from China.
In a recorded video statement to the meeting, the Dalai Lama offered few specifics, except a suggestion that was seen as blocking any Chinese influence from the process of identifying the future reincarnation of the Tibetan spiritual leader. He said that the Dalai Lama’s office has "sole authority" to recognize such a reincarnation. "No one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter," he stated firmly.
The Dalai Lama fled China in 1959 after the Chinese army invaded Tibet to bring the region under the control of the Communist Party. He has lived in India ever since, helping to establish a democracy in exile while traveling the world to advocate for true autonomy and cultural and religious freedom for the Tibetan people.
The Chinese government sees the octogenarian leader as a separatist who seeks independence for Tibet. In his absence, Beijing has tried to bring elements of the Tibetan religious institution under state control, and erase Tibetan culture to absorb the people into one nation united around the Communist Party.
Traditionally, the search for a new Dalai Lama begins only after the current one dies. It can take years to identify the child believed to be his reincarnation, and more than a decade to educate and prepare him for the role. The fear that China will exploit that gap has long shaped the Dalai Lama’s strategy ever since he went into exile. He has said the Chinese are waiting for his death to crush the movement for Tibetan autonomy.
The Dalai Lama relinquished his political leadership role in the Tibetan exile government in 2011, a decision intended to strengthen the democratic structure of the Tibetan movement. Since then, Tibetan refugees scattered around the world have elected their political leader through a direct vote.
In recent years, the Dalai Lama has told his followers that he is considering other possibilities for the future of his role after him, an apparent effort to prevent Beijing from moving into the gap left by his absence. He has indicated that his successor will be born in a free country, suggesting that the next Dalai Lama might emerge from among Tibetan exiles, who number about 140,000, with half residing in India.
Moreover, he has expressed openness to a successor who isn’t a child or even male, potentially breaking with centuries of tradition. He has said that he would clarify the future of the institution and his reincarnation around his 90th birthday, which is being celebrated in Dharamsala this week.
Mujib Mashal is the South Asia bureau chief for The Times, helping to lead coverage of India and the diverse region around it, including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan.
Hari Kumar covers India, based out of New Delhi. He has been a journalist for more than two decades.
In a recorded video statement to the meeting, the Dalai Lama offered few specifics, except a suggestion that was seen as blocking any Chinese influence from the process of identifying the future reincarnation of the Tibetan spiritual leader. He said that the Dalai Lama’s office has "sole authority" to recognize such a reincarnation. "No one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter," he stated firmly.
The Dalai Lama fled China in 1959 after the Chinese army invaded Tibet to bring the region under the control of the Communist Party. He has lived in India ever since, helping to establish a democracy in exile while traveling the world to advocate for true autonomy and cultural and religious freedom for the Tibetan people.
The Chinese government sees the octogenarian leader as a separatist who seeks independence for Tibet. In his absence, Beijing has tried to bring elements of the Tibetan religious institution under state control, and erase Tibetan culture to absorb the people into one nation united around the Communist Party.
Traditionally, the search for a new Dalai Lama begins only after the current one dies. It can take years to identify the child believed to be his reincarnation, and more than a decade to educate and prepare him for the role. The fear that China will exploit that gap has long shaped the Dalai Lama’s strategy ever since he went into exile. He has said the Chinese are waiting for his death to crush the movement for Tibetan autonomy.
The Dalai Lama relinquished his political leadership role in the Tibetan exile government in 2011, a decision intended to strengthen the democratic structure of the Tibetan movement. Since then, Tibetan refugees scattered around the world have elected their political leader through a direct vote.
In recent years, the Dalai Lama has told his followers that he is considering other possibilities for the future of his role after him, an apparent effort to prevent Beijing from moving into the gap left by his absence. He has indicated that his successor will be born in a free country, suggesting that the next Dalai Lama might emerge from among Tibetan exiles, who number about 140,000, with half residing in India.
Moreover, he has expressed openness to a successor who isn’t a child or even male, potentially breaking with centuries of tradition. He has said that he would clarify the future of the institution and his reincarnation around his 90th birthday, which is being celebrated in Dharamsala this week.
Mujib Mashal is the South Asia bureau chief for The Times, helping to lead coverage of India and the diverse region around it, including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan.
Hari Kumar covers India, based out of New Delhi. He has been a journalist for more than two decades.
