This eloquent pronouncement on the future of his succession has brought clarity and comfort to millions of his followers worldwide since the Dalai Lama made the announcement recently. In a recently released, pre-recorded video message commemorating his 90th birthday, he dropped quite the bombshell. He confirmed that the Gaden Phodrang Trust will possess sole authority to recognize his future reincarnation. This announcement has put an end to decades of angst over the future of the beloved institution.
During a recent gathering of spiritual leaders held in Dharamshala, India, the Dalai Lama dropped a critical bombshell. He stressed the importance of Chinese laws and old religious customs to inform how his successor would be decided. He stated, “In accordance with all these requests, I am affirming that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue.” This statement is important not only for what it says, but for the historical context. The Dalai Lama is currently that spiritual leader for Tibetans and Buddhists worldwide.
Succession Authority Designated
Their trust, the Gaden Phodrang Trust, has been responsible for administering the affairs of the Dalai Lamas. It has not only formally designated it the sole authority to determine and certify his reincarnation. The Dalai Lama made clear that no external influence should interfere in this process, declaring, “They should accordingly carry out the procedures of search and recognition in accordance with past tradition … no one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter.” This closing statement is especially timely given China’s recent chartering of new claims to choose the next Dalai Lama.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has repeatedly stated that only the central government has the authority to approve any succession. This position is in pointed opposition to the Dalai Lama’s claim. Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the ministry, reiterated, “The Dalai Lama’s succession must comply with Chinese laws and regulations as well as religious rituals and historical conventions.”
Global Reactions and Tibetan Aspirations
His announcement has raised the spirits of Tibetans and Buddhists across the world. To the Tibetan diaspora, he is representative, in perpetuity, of a clear Tibetan identity and a peaceful existence. For millions of adherents, this announcement is a promising sign of more spiritual leadership to come. For the last 14 years, he’s heard an untold number of pleas. These letters, hailing from the Tibetan diaspora and Buddhist communities in Mongolia, Russia, and China, all call on him to preserve the institution.
In a bold example of soft power, a former Dalai Lama once made the clear choice that his successor would be born outside of China. He called on his supporters to refuse to accept any Beijing-appointed successor. He reiterated that a truly valid reincarnation must come from within the Tibetan community.
