Only His holiness Dalai Lama Decides
As the world prepares to celebrate the 90th birthday of His Holiness Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, his recent announcement affirming the Gaden Phodrang Trust as the sole authority to identify his successor has intensified a longstanding geopolitical and spiritual dispute. For Tibetans, this is not merely a political issue but a profound matter of preserving their sacred traditions against the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) attempts to control Tibetan Buddhism.The Dalai Lama’s declaration reaffirms Tibetan agency, directly challenging Beijing’s claims to oversee the reincarnation process. China’s 2007 “Order No. 5,” which mandates state approval for all Tibetan lama reincarnations, is widely seen as an attempt to manipulate a sacred tradition for political gain. The Dalai Lama’s stance ensures that the process remains rooted in Tibetan spiritual practices, free from external interference.
India’s Firm Stand on Spiritual Sovereignty
India, home to the Tibetan exile community and the Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamshala, has consistently supported Tibetan cultural and religious preservation since granting asylum to the Dalai Lama in 1959. This week, India reiterated its commitment through a powerful statement from Kiren Rijiju, Minister of Parliamentary and Minority Affairs, during preparations for the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday celebrations:
"No one has the right to interfere or decide who the successor of His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be. Only he or his institution has the authority to make that decision. His followers believe that deeply. It’s important for disciples across the world that he decides his succession."
Rijiju, a practising Buddhist, will join senior Indian officials in Dharamshala, signaling India’s unwavering recognition of the Dalai Lama’s spiritual authority and global influence.China responded with predictable indignation. The Chinese Foreign Ministry labeled the Dalai Lama an “anti-China separatist” and warned India against “interfering in domestic affairs,” urging “prudence” in its actions. India’s Foreign Ministry stood resolute, with spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal affirming:
"The Government has always upheld freedom of religion for all in India and will continue to do so."
Reincarnation: A Spiritual Tradition, Not a Political Pawn
In Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama is believed to consciously choose his reincarnation through sacred rituals and community consensus. China’s claim to control this process violates religious doctrine and reflects its broader sinicization campaign to erase Tibetan identity. This includes monastery surveillance, mandatory Communist indoctrination for monks, and the forced assimilation of Tibetan children in state-run schools.The 1995 abduction of the 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, recognized by the Dalai Lama, remains a stark example of China’s tactics. Disappeared by Chinese authorities, he was replaced with a state-appointed figure, foreshadowing Beijing’s intentions for the Dalai Lama’s succession.
Tibetans: Guardians of Their Spiritual Heritage
For Tibetans, the Dalai Lama embodies their cultural and spiritual resilience amid decades of occupation and exile. His decision to allow for a 15th—and potentially a 16th—Dalai Lama underscores the enduring strength of Tibetan traditions. By transferring political authority to the Central Tibetan Administration in 2011, he reinforced the compatibility of Tibetan values with democratic principles, earning global admiration and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.
A Global Call to Action
The Dalai Lama’s succession is a critical test of the world’s commitment to religious freedom, cultural preservation, and human rights. India’s clear stance—that spiritual matters are beyond political control—sets a precedent. Democratic nations must reject any Chinese-appointed Dalai Lama and support the Tibetan people’s right to determine their spiritual future.As the Dalai Lama turns 90, the international community faces a choice: uphold the sanctity of a sacred institution or allow an authoritarian regime to rewrite Tibetan identity.