On Wednesday, July 2, the highest spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, the 14th Dalai Lama, made a statement declaring the continuation of the “reincarnation” system. He emphasized that “others have no right to interfere” in reincarnation matters and sternly warned against any intervention by the Chinese Communist government.
Approaching his 90th birthday on the 6th of this month, the Dalai Lama delivered a speech to a gathering of senior monks via video conference. In his speech, he reiterated his intention to uphold the traditional system of finding the reincarnated soul boy after his passing, urging the confirmation and appointment of his successor to be carried out in accordance with past customs.
He stated that the future successor may not necessarily be Tibetan and could even be female, noting that this stance is in response to the expectations of Buddhist followers from Tibet, Mongolia, Russia, and around the world. Especially, the people within Tibet have expressed their demands for the continuation of the reincarnation system through various means.
The Dalai Lama emphasized that the sole authority to determine the future reincarnation will be entrusted to the “Gaden Phodrang Trust” established by him. The search and authentication process must follow traditional procedures. He emphasized, “Apart from the Gaden Phodrang Trust, no individual or organization has the right to interfere in this matter.”
The Beijing authorities have long regarded the Dalai Lama as a “separatist seeking Tibetan independence” and claimed that the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation must receive their recognition and approval.
Since the resistance movement against the Chinese Communist invasion of Tibet in 1959, the Dalai Lama has been in exile in Dharamsala, northern India, where he established the Tibetan government in exile and continued to promote religious and cultural activities. He has stated that the future reincarnation will be born in the “free world” and urged followers not to accept successors appointed by the Chinese Communist Party.
The Prime Minister of the Tibetan government in exile, Penpa Tsering, has also expressed several times that if health permits, the Dalai Lama is willing to visit China and Tibet but emphasized that he will not return to settle or reside permanently as there is “no freedom” there.
Leading the Tibetan people since the age of 16, the Dalai Lama has long advocated for peace, non-violence, and the spirit of compassion. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 and is widely respected internationally as a symbol of Tibetan culture and faith.