FU CHINA
McLeod Ganj (India) (AFP) – The Dalai Lama said Wednesday that the 600-year-old Tibetan spiritual institution would continue after his death, reassuring Buddhist followers around the globe and saying his office "exclusively" would name his successor, even as China insisted it would.
McLeod Ganj (India) (AFP) – The Dalai Lama said Wednesday that the 600-year-old Tibetan spiritual institution would continue after his death, reassuring Buddhist followers around the globe and saying his office "exclusively" would name his successor, even as China insisted it would.
ANTI IMPERIALIST STRUGGLE
Issued on: 02/07/2025 - RFI
Issued on: 02/07/2025 - RFI
Tenzin Gyatso is the 14th reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, according to his followers
© Biju BORO / AFP
Followers of the Dalai Lama laud his tireless campaign for greater autonomy for Tibet, a vast high-altitude plateau in China about the size of South Africa.
It is a landmark decision for Tibetans, many of whom had feared a future without a leader, as well as for global supporters who see the Dalai Lama as a symbol of non-violence, compassion and the enduring struggle for Tibetan cultural identity under Chinese rule.
According to Tibetans, Tenzin Gyatso is the 14th reincarnation of the Dalai Lama.
He and thousands of other Tibetans have lived in exile in India since Chinese troops crushed an uprising in the Tibetan capital Lhasa in 1959.
The charismatic Nobel Peace Prize-winning Buddhist had previously said the institution of Dalai Lama would continue only if there was popular demand.
He said Wednesday he had received multiple appeals over the past 14 years from the Tibetan diaspora, Buddhists from across the Himalayan region, Mongolia and parts of Russia and China, "earnestly requesting that the institution of the Dalai Lama continue".
Followers of the Dalai Lama laud his tireless campaign for greater autonomy for Tibet, a vast high-altitude plateau in China about the size of South Africa.
It is a landmark decision for Tibetans, many of whom had feared a future without a leader, as well as for global supporters who see the Dalai Lama as a symbol of non-violence, compassion and the enduring struggle for Tibetan cultural identity under Chinese rule.
According to Tibetans, Tenzin Gyatso is the 14th reincarnation of the Dalai Lama.
He and thousands of other Tibetans have lived in exile in India since Chinese troops crushed an uprising in the Tibetan capital Lhasa in 1959.
The charismatic Nobel Peace Prize-winning Buddhist had previously said the institution of Dalai Lama would continue only if there was popular demand.
He said Wednesday he had received multiple appeals over the past 14 years from the Tibetan diaspora, Buddhists from across the Himalayan region, Mongolia and parts of Russia and China, "earnestly requesting that the institution of the Dalai Lama continue".
The Dalai Lama is lauded by his followers for his tireless campaign for
greater autonomy for Tibet, a vast high-altitude plateau in China about the size of South Africa
NO LONGER INDEPENDENCE
© Sanjay BAID / AFP
"In particular, I have received messages through various channels from Tibetans in Tibet making the same appeal," he said in a video broadcast at the start of a meeting of religious leaders in the Indian Himalayan town where he has lived for decades.
"In accordance with all these requests, I am affirming that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue," he added, according to an official translation.
The announcement was made ahead of his 90th birthday on July 6.
'Historic'
While China condemns him as a rebel and separatist, the internationally recognised Dalai Lama describes himself as a "simple Buddhist monk".
Many exiled Tibetans fear China will name its own successor to bolster control over a territory it poured troops into in 1950.
"In particular, I have received messages through various channels from Tibetans in Tibet making the same appeal," he said in a video broadcast at the start of a meeting of religious leaders in the Indian Himalayan town where he has lived for decades.
"In accordance with all these requests, I am affirming that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue," he added, according to an official translation.
The announcement was made ahead of his 90th birthday on July 6.
'Historic'
While China condemns him as a rebel and separatist, the internationally recognised Dalai Lama describes himself as a "simple Buddhist monk".
Many exiled Tibetans fear China will name its own successor to bolster control over a territory it poured troops into in 1950.
The Dalai Lama and thousands of other Tibetans have lived in exile in India since Chinese troops crushed an uprising in the Tibetan capital Lhasa in 1959
© Sanjay BAID / AFP
But the Dalai Lama said Wednesday that responsibility for identifying the 15th Dalai Lama "will rest exclusively" with the India-based Gaden Phodrang Trust, the office of the Dalai Lama.
Samdhong Rinpoche, a senior Tibetan leader from the Gaden Phodrang Trust, told reporters that the Dalai Lama was "in excellent health" and that, at this time, there were "no further instructions for succession".
However, Rinpoche said the next Dalai Lama could be of "any nationality", and would come from a place where there is "access to freedom".
China said on Wednesday that the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama "must be approved by the central government" in Beijing, and that it would be carried out "by drawing lots from a golden urn", foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters.
That urn is held by Beijing, and the Dalai Lama has already warned that, when used dishonestly, it lacks "any spiritual quality".
The Dalai Lama handed over political authority in 2011 to an exiled government chosen democratically by 130,000 Tibetans globally.
But the Dalai Lama said Wednesday that responsibility for identifying the 15th Dalai Lama "will rest exclusively" with the India-based Gaden Phodrang Trust, the office of the Dalai Lama.
Samdhong Rinpoche, a senior Tibetan leader from the Gaden Phodrang Trust, told reporters that the Dalai Lama was "in excellent health" and that, at this time, there were "no further instructions for succession".
However, Rinpoche said the next Dalai Lama could be of "any nationality", and would come from a place where there is "access to freedom".
China said on Wednesday that the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama "must be approved by the central government" in Beijing, and that it would be carried out "by drawing lots from a golden urn", foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told reporters.
That urn is held by Beijing, and the Dalai Lama has already warned that, when used dishonestly, it lacks "any spiritual quality".
The Dalai Lama handed over political authority in 2011 to an exiled government chosen democratically by 130,000 Tibetans globally.
The Dali Lama says the institution of the role will continue © Sanjay BAID / AFP
At the same time, he warned that the future of his spiritual post faced an "obvious risk of vested political interests misusing the reincarnation system".
In 1995, Beijing selected a Panchen Lama, another influential Tibetan religious figure, and detained a Dalai Lama-recognised six-year-old, described by rights groups as the world's youngest political prisoner.
The Dalai Lama's announcement about the continuation of the role was welcomed with relief by Tibetans, including by Jigme Taydeh, a civil servant with the India-based Tibetan government.
"Whilst we rejoice at this confirmation of its continuation, we stringently object to China's interference and plans to install a puppet Dalai Lama", he said. "Neither the Tibetans nor the world would recognise such mischief."
burs-pjm/lb
At the same time, he warned that the future of his spiritual post faced an "obvious risk of vested political interests misusing the reincarnation system".
In 1995, Beijing selected a Panchen Lama, another influential Tibetan religious figure, and detained a Dalai Lama-recognised six-year-old, described by rights groups as the world's youngest political prisoner.
The Dalai Lama's announcement about the continuation of the role was welcomed with relief by Tibetans, including by Jigme Taydeh, a civil servant with the India-based Tibetan government.
"Whilst we rejoice at this confirmation of its continuation, we stringently object to China's interference and plans to install a puppet Dalai Lama", he said. "Neither the Tibetans nor the world would recognise such mischief."
burs-pjm/lb
China says Dalai Lama successor must be approved by Beijing
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Wednesday affirmed that the centuries-old institution of the Dalai Lama will continue after his death. China, which considers the current Dalai Lama as a separatist, countered that Beijing has the final say on who the successor will be.
Issued on: 02/07/2025 -
By: FRANCE 24
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Wednesday affirmed that the centuries-old institution of the Dalai Lama will continue after his death. China, which considers the current Dalai Lama as a separatist, countered that Beijing has the final say on who the successor will be.
Issued on: 02/07/2025 -
By: FRANCE 24
02:32
Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama (C) attends a Long Life Prayer offering ceremony at the Main Tibetan Temple in McLeod Ganj, near Dharamsala on June 30, 2025.
© Sanjay Baid, AFP
Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama said Wednesday that the 600-year-old institution will continue after his death, a decision that will have profound impact on his Buddhist followers.
It is a landmark decision not only for Tibetans, but also for global supporters who see the Dalai Lama as a symbol of non-violence, compassion and the enduring struggle for Tibetan cultural identity under Chinese rule.
However, China said on Wednesday that the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama "must be approved by the central government".
"The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, the Panchen Lama and other great Buddhist figures must be chosen by drawing lots from a golden urn, and approved by the central government," foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular news briefing, referring to a method introduced by a Qing dynasty emperor in the 18th century.
"The Chinese government implements a policy of freedom of religious belief, but there are regulations on religious affairs and methods for managing the reincarnation of Tibetan living Buddhas," Mao said.
According to Tibetans, their current spiritual leader is the 14th reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, and his statement was released ahead of his 90th birthday on July 6.
He said he had received multiple appeals over the past 14 years from Tibetan diaspora in exile, Buddhists from across the Himalayan region, Mongolia and parts of Russia and China, "earnestly requesting that the institution of the Dalai Lama continue".
"In particular, I have received messages through various channels from Tibetans in Tibet making the same appeal," he said in a video broadcast at the start of a meeting of religious leaders in the Indian Himalayan town where he has lived for decades.
"In accordance with all these requests, I am affirming that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue," he added, according to an official translation.
He and thousands of other Tibetans have lived in exile in India since Chinese troops crushed an uprising in the Tibetan capital Lhasa in 1959.
His advanced age has also sparked concern over the future of Tibetan leadership and the delicate question of his succession.
While China condemns him as a rebel and separatist, the internationally recognised Dalai Lama describes himself as a "simple Buddhist monk".
Many exiled Tibetans fear China will name a successor to bolster control over a territory it poured troops into in 1950.
But the Dalai Lama said Wednesday that responsibility for identifying the 15th Dalai Lama "will rest exclusively" with the India-based Gaden Phodrang Trust, the office of the Dalai Lama.
"I hereby reiterate that the Gaden Phodrang Trust has sole authority to recognise the future reincarnation; no one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter," he added.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama said Wednesday that the 600-year-old institution will continue after his death, a decision that will have profound impact on his Buddhist followers.
It is a landmark decision not only for Tibetans, but also for global supporters who see the Dalai Lama as a symbol of non-violence, compassion and the enduring struggle for Tibetan cultural identity under Chinese rule.
However, China said on Wednesday that the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama "must be approved by the central government".
"The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, the Panchen Lama and other great Buddhist figures must be chosen by drawing lots from a golden urn, and approved by the central government," foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular news briefing, referring to a method introduced by a Qing dynasty emperor in the 18th century.
"The Chinese government implements a policy of freedom of religious belief, but there are regulations on religious affairs and methods for managing the reincarnation of Tibetan living Buddhas," Mao said.
According to Tibetans, their current spiritual leader is the 14th reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, and his statement was released ahead of his 90th birthday on July 6.
He said he had received multiple appeals over the past 14 years from Tibetan diaspora in exile, Buddhists from across the Himalayan region, Mongolia and parts of Russia and China, "earnestly requesting that the institution of the Dalai Lama continue".
"In particular, I have received messages through various channels from Tibetans in Tibet making the same appeal," he said in a video broadcast at the start of a meeting of religious leaders in the Indian Himalayan town where he has lived for decades.
"In accordance with all these requests, I am affirming that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue," he added, according to an official translation.
He and thousands of other Tibetans have lived in exile in India since Chinese troops crushed an uprising in the Tibetan capital Lhasa in 1959.
His advanced age has also sparked concern over the future of Tibetan leadership and the delicate question of his succession.
While China condemns him as a rebel and separatist, the internationally recognised Dalai Lama describes himself as a "simple Buddhist monk".
Many exiled Tibetans fear China will name a successor to bolster control over a territory it poured troops into in 1950.
But the Dalai Lama said Wednesday that responsibility for identifying the 15th Dalai Lama "will rest exclusively" with the India-based Gaden Phodrang Trust, the office of the Dalai Lama.
"I hereby reiterate that the Gaden Phodrang Trust has sole authority to recognise the future reincarnation; no one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter," he added.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
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