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EYE ON INDIA JULY 11, 2025 | The Indian Eye 8

Dalai Lama’s Reincarnation Declaration:

Defying China, Reaffirming Tibetan Identity

The 14th Dalai Lama’s decisive statement directly challenges Beijing’s growing control

over Tibetan Buddhism and reshapes the battle over who gets to define Tibet’s future

OUR BUREAU
Dharamsala/New Delhi

n a bold and long-anticipated
move, the 14th Dalai Lama, Ten-
Izin Gyatso, has declared that the
authority to recognise his successor
lies solely with the Gaden Phodrang
Trust — the institution he established
— and explicitly excluded any role for
external entities, most notably China.
The announcement is not merely a
spiritual proclamation; it is a strate-
gic assertion of Tibetan autonomy, a
pre-emptive strike against Beijing’s
decades-long effort to control Tibet-
an Buddhism, and a reaffirmation of
cultural sovereignty.
The Dalai Lama’s statement, ref-
erencing his 2011 declaration, leaves
no ambiguity: “No one else has any
such authority to interfere in this
matter.” The Gaden Phodrang Trust,
along with senior figures in Tibetan
Buddhism and “oath-bound Dharma The 14th Dalai Lama (ANI file photo)
Protectors,” will oversee the tradi-
tional search and recognition process
for the 15th Dalai Lama. of producing its own Dalai Lama — birthday and publicly supporting Ti- the Tibetan diaspora.
This reassertion comes after a pliant figure loyal to Beijing who betan cultural expressions. The prospect of a dual Dalai
years of Chinese attempts to politicise would serve as a tool of soft power Tibetan exiles and Buddhists Lama — one chosen by Tibetan au-
the reincarnation process. In 1995, and religious legitimacy in a region around the world have backed this thorities in exile and another installed
Beijing selected its own Panchen where dissent remains stubborn. decision, including Penpa Tsering, the by Beijing — looms large. Such a de-
Lama — the second-most important India, which hosts the Tibetan President of the Central Tibetan Ad- velopment would deepen the schism
lama in Tibetan Buddhism — disre- government-in-exile and the Dalai ministration. “We shall never accept in Tibetan Buddhism and risk confus-
garding the boy chosen by the Dalai Lama himself, has walked a tightrope China’s usage of reincarnation for po- ing followers worldwide. But with the
Lama. That child has been missing on the issue. However, Union Min- litical gain,” he said, calling Beijing’s Dalai Lama’s global stature, it is likely
ever since, believed by many to have ister Kiren Rijiju stated clearly this policies in Tibet an attempt to destroy that the world — particularly demo-
been detained by Chinese authorities. week: “Nobody except the Dalai Lama the identity of its people. cratic countries — will recognize the
With that precedent, fears have long himself can decide his successor.” The reincarnation process, ac- exile-appointed leader as the legiti-
existed that China would attempt the India’s statement is significant. It cording to Tibetan Buddhist tradi- mate successor.
same with the Dalai Lama himself. signals that New Delhi acknowledges tion, is not governed by temporal By declaring that only the Gaden
In predictable fashion, China’s the spiritual autonomy of the Dalai power. It is a sacred search involving Phodrang Trust will recognise his
Foreign Ministry responded by reaf- Lama while resisting Beijing’s over- divination, visions, signs, and spiritual successor, the Dalai Lama has done
firming that any reincarnation of the reach. India has traditionally allowed guidance. For China, to reduce this more than safeguard a tradition. He
Dalai Lama must be approved by Bei- the Dalai Lama to operate freely to state-controlled bureaucracy and has sent a message — to Beijing, to
jing and follow “Chinese characteris- from Dharamshala, where the Cen- propaganda is to erase centuries of the world, and to Tibetans every-
tics.” Spokesperson Mao Ning cited tral Tibetan Administration is based. religious practice — and to redefine where — that the soul of a people
18th-century Qing dynasty rituals Yet, it has been cautious not to antag- belief as obedience. cannot be appropriated.
involving the drawing of lots from a onize China directly on Tibet, given This isn’t just about one figure — As the spiritual leader who once
golden urn — a system used selective- the fragile state of bilateral relations it’s about the future of Tibetan identi- said, “My religion is kindness,” the
ly by the imperial court but never rec- and a volatile border. ty. The Dalai Lama’s reincarnation is Dalai Lama is again showing that re-
ognized as the sole legitimate process Still, Modi’s government has in- the cornerstone of the Tibetan strug- sistance can be rooted in compassion,
by the Tibetan religious leadership. creased its diplomatic signalling in gle. Whoever controls that narrative and that spiritual authority — when ex-
At the heart of this control is recent years, sending high-level min- controls the heart of the Tibetan peo- ercised with clarity and humility — can
the Chinese Communist Party’s goal isters to attend the Dalai Lama’s 90th ple. China understands this. So does still stand tall in the face of state power.

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