Debate has arisen regarding the plan for the replacement of the Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader.
On the eve of his 90th birthday, the Dalai Lama expressed his wish to live 40 more years until he is 130 years old, addressing recent speculation about his succession and stating that he will reincarnate after his passing.
The Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader mentioned this during a ceremony his followers organized to pray for his longevity ahead of his 90th birthday on Sunday.
He had earlier mentioned in December to the Reuters news agency that he might live to be 110 years old.
The Dalai Lama confirmed there will be a successor chosen following “past tradition”, settling years of speculation about the centuries-old role.
In a video message on Wednesday, he stated that the Gaden Phodrang Foundation, which he created to preserve the institution, will recognize his future reincarnation.
Tibetan Buddhist leaders will search for his successor, emphasizing that “no one else has the authority to interfere in this matter”.
The 14th Dalai Lama mentioned the many messages he has received from Buddhists requesting the continuation of the office.
“In response to these requests, I confirm that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue,” he added.
These remarks were made during a three-day religious conference in Dharamshala, where he has lived since 1959 after fleeing Tibet following a failed uprising against China.
Tibetan writer and activist Tenzin Tsundue described the Dalai Lama’s announcement as a “punch in the face” for China, which claims the power to appoint his successor.
China, which governs the Tibet Autonomous Region and labels the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Dalai Lama as a “separatist”, has been warned by him not “to interfere with the reincarnation system of lamas, especially that of the Dalai Lama”.
In response to his Wednesday comments, China stated that the Dalai Lama’s succession must be approved by the central government in Beijing.
The Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader mentioned this during a ceremony his followers organized to pray for his longevity ahead of his 90th birthday on Sunday.
He had earlier mentioned in December to the Reuters news agency that he might live to be 110 years old.
The Dalai Lama confirmed there will be a successor chosen following “past tradition”, settling years of speculation about the centuries-old role.
In a video message on Wednesday, he stated that the Gaden Phodrang Foundation, which he created to preserve the institution, will recognize his future reincarnation.
Tibetan Buddhist leaders will search for his successor, emphasizing that “no one else has the authority to interfere in this matter”.
The 14th Dalai Lama mentioned the many messages he has received from Buddhists requesting the continuation of the office.
“In response to these requests, I confirm that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue,” he added.
These remarks were made during a three-day religious conference in Dharamshala, where he has lived since 1959 after fleeing Tibet following a failed uprising against China.
Tibetan writer and activist Tenzin Tsundue described the Dalai Lama’s announcement as a “punch in the face” for China, which claims the power to appoint his successor.
China, which governs the Tibet Autonomous Region and labels the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Dalai Lama as a “separatist”, has been warned by him not “to interfere with the reincarnation system of lamas, especially that of the Dalai Lama”.
In response to his Wednesday comments, China stated that the Dalai Lama’s succession must be approved by the central government in Beijing.
