Dalai Lama: the Tibetan Buddhist leader reveals a succession plan without the grip of China

Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama announced Wednesday that the Buddhist Tibetan institution Centenary will continue after his death, reporting that his successor should be chosen without influence from the Chinese government.

Before his 90th anniversary Sunday, the spiritual leader winner of Tibetan Buddhism winner of Tibetan Buddhism stated his succession plans in a recorded declaration which was televised during a religious rally of Buddhist monks in the city of Dharamshala, India. Named Tenzin Gyatso, he became what was traditionally known as the 14th reincarnation of Dalai Lama in 1940. He fled Tibet when Chinese troops crushed an uprising in the Tibetan capital Lhasa in 1959.

According to an English translation of his speech published on his website, the spiritual leader said that the responsibility to choose the next Dalai Lama “is based exclusively with the members of the Gaden Phodrang Trust”.

A non -profit organization he founded in 2015 which oversees the questions related to the spiritual leader and the Dalai Lama Institute, the trust “should consult the various heads of Tibetan Buddhist traditions and the reliable oath dharma which are linked to the line of the Dalai lamas,” said the chief of the ettelle. “They should therefore carry out research and recognition procedures in accordance with the previous tradition.”

Pope Francis, the era of the era with the Chinese Communist Party, under control, Pope Leo takes the reins

The Dalai Lama presides over an event celebrating its next 90th anniversary according to a Tibetan calendar at the Tsuglakhang temple in Dharamshala, India, Monday, June 30, 2025. )

He reiterated that Gaden Phodrang’s trust “has the sole power to recognize future reincarnation; no one else has such authority to intervene in this case”.

Tibetan Buddhists believe that the Dalai Lama can choose the body in which it is reincarnated, as has happened 14 times since the creation of the institution in 1587. He reiterated in the past that his successor was born outside China. After fled Tibet, the current Dalai Lama helped establish a Democratic Tibetan government in exile in Dharamshala, while traveling around the world to recommend the autonomy of the Tibetan people.

China has claimed authority on the selection of the next “living Buddha”, as well as the leaders of other religions. He adopted a law in 2007 saying that the selection of the next Dalai Lama must occur on Chinese territory – a decision condemned by the Tibetan government in exile as affected by religious freedom and an attempt by the Chinese government “to brutally repress innocent Tibetans under their tyrannical reign”.

Asked about the announcement of the Dalai Lama at his daily press conference on Wednesday, the spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Mao Ning, said that “the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama was to join the principles of national research in China” and “the approval of the central government”. Mao said the process must “follow religious rituals and historical contexts, and be managed in accordance with national laws and regulations”, according to the Associated Press.

Mao characterized the current Dalai Lama as a “political exile engaged in separatist activities under the guise of religion” and added that he “has absolutely not the right to represent the people” of Tibet, According to NPR.

The Dalai Lama’s succession plan is politically consecutive for most of the Tibetans who oppose the tight control of China of Tibet and have had trouble keeping their identity alive, in their country of origin or in exile. It is also deep for Tibetan Buddhists, who love it as a living manifestation of Chenrezig, the Buddhist God of compassion.

Buddhist monks from various schools of Tibetan Buddhism watch a video message recorded by Dalai Lama in Dharamshala, India, Wednesday July 2, 2025, before his birthday, according to the Gregorian calendar, on July 6. )

Chinese Director of Amnesty International, Sarah Brooks, said in a statement on Wednesday that the efforts of the Chinese authorities to control the selection of the next Dalai Lama were a “direct assault” on the right to freedom of religion.

The report indicates that China accelerates the forced urbanization of rural Tibetans

“Tibetan Buddhists, like all religious communities, must be able to choose their spiritual leaders without coercion or interference by the authorities,” said Brooks.

The Dalai Lama has often urged his disciples to reject any person chosen by Beijing. He previously directed the Tibetan government in exile before renouncing his political role in 2011.

Penpa Tsering, the current president of the government in exile, said that Tibetans around the world made “a serious demand with resolute devotion” that the position of the Dalai Lama should continue “for the benefit of all sensitive beings in general and Buddhist in particular”.

The attacks of attack help the Dalai Lama to leave after having presided over an event celebrating its 90th anniversary in Dharamshala, India, Monday, June 30, 2025. )

“In response to this overwhelming supplication, His Holiness showed infinite compassion and finally agreed to accept our call for this special occasion of his 90th anniversary,” he said at a press conference, according to the AP.

Tzering, however, warned China not to mix with the succession of Dalai Lama, saying that it is a “unique Buddhist tradition”.

“We condemn not only the People’s Republic of reincarnation by reincarnation by their political gain not only and will never accept it,” he said.

The search for the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama begins only at the death of the holder. In the past, the successor was identified by senior monastic disciples, based on signs and spiritual visions, and he can take several years after the next Dalai Lama is identified as a baby, or “child of the soul”, and has prepared the reins. The current Dalai Lama previously suggested that tradition could end with him – or that his successor could be an adult or “attractive” woman, reported NPR.

Click here to access the Fox News application

Wednesday’s announcement essentially marked its decision to “reincarnate”, noting that he thinks that the tradition of Dalai Lama should not end with him.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.