Dalai Lama Affirms Reincarnation Tradition Will Continue: Only Gaden Phodrang Trust Has Authority, Rejects Chinese Interference
By Tenzin Chokyi
DHARAMSALA 2 June: Days ahead of his 90th birthday celebration, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet has officially affirmed that there will be a 15th Dalai Lama. He unequivocally stated that the responsibility for recognising his future reincarnation lies exclusively with the Gaden Phodrang Trust, the private office of the Dalai Lama, and made it clear that no other party holds any authority in this matter, reaffirming the position he outlined in a statement on his reincarnation dating back to 2011.
The Dalai Lama made the announcement in a pre-recorded video message during the opening of the 15th Tibetan Religious Conference today, attended by 121 Buddhist leaders at the Dalai Lama Library and Archives here in Dharamsala. The conference will commence from 2 to 4 June.
Given the geopolitical sensitivity surrounding the reincarnation process, particularly in light of China’s persistent efforts to influence it for political ends, the Tibetan spiritual leader recalled, “As far back as 1960, I made it clear that concerned people should decide whether the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation should continue in the future.”
He highlighted the heartfelt appeals he has received over the past 14 years since his last public statement on the matter in 2011 from Buddhists across the world, including those from mainland China and occupied Tibet, urging him to continue the tradition of reincarnation.
The Dalai Lama stated that if there is a shared desire among the people to preserve the tradition, the institution must continue.
“In accordance with all these requests, I am affirming that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue,” he declared.
Following the statement, participants in the ongoing 15th Tibetan Religious Conference, led by senior Tibetan lamas from different Tibetan Buddhist traditions, released a resolution titled “Heartfelt Gratitude to the Great 14th Dalai Lama”.
The resolution expressed full support for the Dalai Lama’s message and strongly condemned the People’s Republic of China for attempting to interfere in the reincarnation process for political ends.
However, the spiritual leader has not yet provided further clarification on key aspects of his 2011 statement, including when the recognition process would begin, the specific instructions he previously mentioned he would issue, whether the next reincarnation could be born in any part of the world, or the possibility of a female successor.
Addressing these concerns during a press conference following the video statement, Venerable Samdhong Rinpoche, former Prime Minister(kalon Trisur) of the Tibetan government-in-exile and the alternate chairperson of the Gaden Phodrang Trust, said that detailed instructions from the Dalai Lama would be given when the time is opportune.
“It’s not necessary at this point,” he stated, “given that His Holiness has already confirmed he will live until the age of 113.”
Regarding Chinese interference, Samdhong Rinpoche added, “The Dalai Lama’s institution is based in India, and India is beyond China’s reach today.”
Unsurprisingly, Mao Ning, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, responded to a BBC inquiry during a press conference today by reiterating Beijing’s position that the reincarnation of Tibetan Buddhist figures, including the Dalai Lama, the Panchen Lama, and other living Buddhas, must go through the so-called Golden Urn lottery procedure, which is subject to the authority of the Chinese government.
Today’s statement from the Dalai Lama marked the official affirmation of the continuation of the reincarnation tradition and clarified the key stakeholders who will be involved in the process, a position he has consistently upheld for the past five decades.
