Dalai Lama to have successor after death

The Star

14 hours ago

Words of wisdom: The Dalai Lama speaking in a video broadcast during the 15th Tibetan Religious Conference, a meeting of religious leaders in McLeod Ganj, near Dharamsala. — AFP
THE exiled spiritual leader of Tibet has confirmed that he will have a successor when he dies, reassuring Buddhist followers around the globe that the 600-year-old institution of the Dalai Lama will continue.
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.
According to Tibetans, Tenzin Gyatso is the 14th reincarnation of the Dalai Lama.
The Dalai Lama is lauded by his followers for his tireless campaign for greater autonomy for Tibet, a vast high-altitude plateau in China the size of South Africa.
He and thousands of other Tibetans have lived in exile in India since Chinese troops stopped 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 yesterday that 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'.
'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.
His advanced age had also sparked concern over the future of Tibetan leadership and the delicate question of his succession.
The announcement was made ahead of his 90th birthday on July 6.
While China labels 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.
But the Dalai Lama said yesterday 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 Leader could be of 'any nationality', and would come from a place where there is an 'access to freedom'.
Chemi Lhamo, 30, a Tibetan activist in exile, said she was convinced the continuation of the role of Dalai Lama would serve the cause of Tibetans.
'There isn't a doubt that the Dalai Lama institution will also continue to serve the benefit of humanity,' Lhamo said.
The Dalai Lama handed over political authority in 2011 to an exiled government chosen democratically by 130,000 Tibetans globally. — AFP