On the occasion of its 90th birthday, the Dalai Lama confirmed that the tradition of reincarnation will continue. His successor will be identified according to the Buddhist rituals and will be born outside the Beijing control.
On the occasion of the celebrations for its 90th birthday, The Dalai Lama firmly clarified that the ancient Tibetan spiritual institution will continue even after its disappearancethus putting an end to years of uncertainties and speculations on a possible “Last Lama”. It is the first time that Tenzin Gyatso, 14th incarnation of the Dalai Lama, denies the hypothesis that his is the last cycle of reincarnation. “The establishment of the Dalai Lama will continue”said in a recorded message sent during the prayers to Dharamshala, in India. A position that, in addition to having a huge symbolic weight, also rekindles the delicate confrontation with China on the future of Tibetan Buddhism.
Who is the Dalai Lama
Tenzin Gyatso was recognized as the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama at the age of two, in 1937, and officially introned in 1940. It is considered the earthly event of the Bodhisattva of compassion, Avalokiteśvara, and has been the maximum spiritual reference point for Tibetan Buddhists for centuries. After the Chinese invasion of Tibet, in 1959, he was forced to escape to India, where he founded a government in exile based in Dharamshala. Since then, he has conducted a peaceful battle for the cultural autonomy of Tibet, promoting dialogue, non-violence and human rights, which in 1989 earned him the Nobel Peace Prize. Today, at the age of 90, it is one of the most respected religious figures in the world.
The announcement at the religious conference
The message on succession came during a spiritual meeting on the eve of his birthdayin front of Tibetan Buddhist monks and leaders. Dalai Lama said that The choice of his successor must take place “in agreement with the centuries -old Buddhist traditions” and that to supervise the process it will be exclusively the Gaden Phodrang Trustthe organization founded by himself. The reference is clear: no political or state authorities, in particular the Chinese government, can interfere in the recognition of the new reincarnation. AND a reference to religious freedombut also an attempt to lay the foundations for a solid spiritual future legitimized by tradition.
The successor will be born out of China
One of the most relevant passages of the speech concerns the place where the future Dalai Lama will be born: according to Tenzin Gyatso, it will be “Out of China”. A clear declaration, which aims to prevent any attempt by Beijing from establishing an “official” reincarnation within the Chinese borders. “Only a freely recognized reincarnation can be accepted,” he said. This stance aims to protect the integrity of the institution from political exploitation, ensuring that the spiritual guide is chosen with authentically religious criteria and not imposed from above.
The contrast with Beijing
The Chinese government, which considers Dalai Lama a separatist, reacted by confirming its intention to exercise control over the reincarnation process. According to Chinese law, in fact, state authorities have the power to approve any publicly recognized religious reincarnation. It is therefore feared that a double line of succession can be verified: on the one hand the “official” one sanctioned by Beijing and settled in Tibet; on the other, the one recognized by the Tibetan people in exile and by the international Buddhist community. A fracture that could have geopolitical consequences, but also very profound spiritual and identity.
