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Rabat – The Dalai Lama confirmed today that a successor will be chosen after his death in accordance with Buddhist traditions, ending decades of speculation about the future of his position.
In a video message on Wednesday, just days before his 90th birthday, the Tibetan spiritual leader said that the authority he established, the Gaden Phodrang Foundation, will find his successor.
In Buddhist tradition, the Lama is considered the reincarnated version of the “bodhisattva” – a figure who is considered to have attained enlightenment – able to select the body of their next reincarnation.
The foundation, with the Dalai Lama’s initial guidance, will identify the child who is believed to be the reincarnation of the figure. The Gaden Phodrang Trust has stated that the future Dalai Lama could be of any nationality or gender.
The Dalai Lama made his speech in the northern Indian town of Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh during a three-day religious conference. The town has been his safe haven since China invaded Tibet in 1959 following a failed uprising. In his announcement, the Dalai Lama assured that the institution of this sacred position will continue, and that the search for his successor should be carried out in “accordance with past tradition.”
This will be the 15th time that the position has changed hands since it was founded in 1587. Tenzin Gyatso became the 14th Dalai Lama at just two years old in 1937 following a lengthy selection process. He was reportedly selected because he was able to recognize objects that belonged to his predecessor.
This vital selection comes as fears have emerged about China selecting their own candidate in order to try to take stronger control over the Tibetan Autonomous Region, which it has ruled with an iron fist since 1959.
The Dalai Lama has completely rejected Chinese involvement in the selection process. But Beijing, in response, said that China had to be involved, as the Buddhist figure is seen as a separatist and a rebel who poses a risk to Chinese national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity. He has lived in India since his forced exile.
This announcement ends decades-long speculation about the future of the role and sets up the institution to continue after the selection process.
