Dalai Lama: Tibetan Buddhist chief reveals succession plan with out China’s sway

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Tibetan non secular chief Dalai Lama introduced Wednesday that the centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist establishment will proceed after his dying, signaling that his successor needs to be chosen with out affect from the Chinese language authorities.

Forward of his ninetieth birthday on Sunday, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning non secular chief of Tibetan Buddhism laid out his succession plans in a recorded assertion that was televised at a non secular gathering of Buddhist monks within the town of Dharamshala, India. Initially named Tenzin Gyatso, he grew to become what's historically often called the 14th reincarnation of the Dalai Lama in 1940. He fled Tibet when Chinese language troops crushed an rebellion within the Tibetan capital Lhasa in 1959.

In accordance with an English translation of his speech revealed on his web site, the non secular chief mentioned the accountability of selecting the subsequent Dalai Lama "will relaxation completely with members of the Gaden Phodrang Belief."

A non-profit he based in 2015 that oversees issues associated to the non secular chief and the institute of the Dalai Lama, the belief "ought to seek the advice of the assorted heads of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions and the dependable oath-bound Dharma Protectors who're linked inseparably to the lineage of the Dalai Lamas," the aged chief mentioned. "They need to accordingly perform the procedures of search and recognition in accordance with previous custom."

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The Dalai Lama presides over an occasion celebrating his upcoming ninetieth birthday based on a Tibetan calendar on the Tsuglakhang temple in Dharamshala, India, on Monday, June 30, 2025. (AP Photograph/Ashwini Bhatia)

He reiterated that the Gaden Phodrang Belief "has sole authority to acknowledge the long run reincarnation; nobody else has any such authority to intrude on this matter."

Tibetan Buddhists consider the Dalai Lama can select the physique into which he's reincarnated, as has occurred on 14 events for the reason that creation of the establishment in 1587. He has reiterated up to now that his successor could be born outdoors China. After fleeing Tibet, the present Dalai Lama helped set up a democratic Tibetan government-in-exile in Dharamshala, whereas additionally touring the world to advocate autonomy for the Tibetan individuals.

China has claimed authority over choosing the subsequent "residing Buddha," in addition to the leaders of different religions. It handed a regulation in 2007 saying the collection of the subsequent Dalai Lama should occur inside Chinese language territory – a transfer condemned by the Tibetan government-in-exile as an affront to spiritual freedom and an try by the Chinese government "to brutally repress the harmless Tibetans below their tyrannical rule."

When requested in regards to the Dalai Lama's announcement throughout her every day press convention Wednesday, Chinese language International Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning mentioned "the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama should adhere to the ideas of home search in China" and "approval by the central authorities." Mao mentioned the method should "comply with spiritual rituals and historic settings, and be dealt with in accordance with nationwide legal guidelines and rules," based on The Related Press.

Mao characterised the present Dalai Lama as a "political exile engaged in separatist actions below the guise of faith," and added that he "has completely no proper to symbolize the individuals" of Tibet, according to NPR.

The Dalai Lama’s succession plan is politically consequential for many Tibetans who oppose China’s tight management of Tibet and have struggled to maintain their identification alive, of their homeland or in exile. It is usually profound for Tibetan Buddhists, who worship him as a residing manifestation of Chenrezig, the Buddhist god of compassion.

Buddhist monks of varied colleges of Tibetan Buddhism watch a recorded video message by the Dalai Lama in Dharamshala, India, on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, forward of his birthday, based on the Gregorian calendar, on July 6. (AP Photograph/Ashwini Bhatia)

Amnesty Worldwide’s China Director Sarah Brooks mentioned in an announcement on Wednesday that the efforts by Chinese language authorities to regulate the collection of the subsequent Dalai Lama had been a "direct assault" on the suitable to freedom of religion.

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"Tibetan Buddhists, like all religion communities, should have the ability to select their non secular leaders with out coercion or interference by the authorities," Brooks mentioned.

The Dalai Lama has usually urged his followers to reject anybody chosen by Beijing. He beforehand headed the Tibetan authorities in exile earlier than relinquishing his political function in 2011.

Penpa Tsering, the present president of the government-in-exile, mentioned Tibetans from around the globe made "an earnest request with single-minded devotion" that the place of the Dalai Lama ought to proceed "for the advantage of all sentient beings normally and Buddhist specifically."

Attendant monks assist the Dalai Lama to go away after presiding over an occasion celebrating his ninetieth birthday in Dharamshala, India, on Monday, June 30, 2025. (AP Photograph/Ashwini Bhatia)

"In response to this overwhelming supplication, His Holiness has proven infinite compassion and at last agreed to just accept our attraction on this special day of his ninetieth birthday," he mentioned at a press convention, based on the AP.

Tsering, nevertheless, warned China to not meddle within the strategy of the Dalai Lama's succession, saying it's a "distinctive Tibetan Buddhist custom."

"We not solely strongly condemn the Individuals’s Republic of China’s utilization of reincarnation topic for his or her political achieve, and can by no means settle for it," he mentioned.

The seek for the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation begins solely upon the incumbent’s dying. Up to now, the successor has been recognized by senior monastic disciples, based mostly on non secular indicators and visions, and it could possibly take a number of years after the subsequent Dalai Lama is recognized as a child, or "soul little one," and groomed to take the reins. The present Dalai Lama beforehand recommended the custom might finish with him – or that his successor may very well be an grownup or an "engaging" lady, NPR reported.

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Wednesday's announcement basically marked his determination to "reincarnate," signaling that he believes the Dalai Lama custom mustn't finish with him.

The Related Press contributed to this report.

Danielle Wallace is a breaking information and politics reporter at Fox Information Digital. Story ideas might be despatched to danielle.wallace@fox.com and on X: @danimwallace .