As the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday approaches on July 6, questions are rising about whether the Tibetan spiritual leader will name his successor.
His momentous birthday has fueled speculation that he might make announcements regarding the future of the Dalai Lama institution, which remains a symbol of resistance to China’s control over Tibet.
As they prepare for a grand ceremony that will bring together dignitaries and celebrities from around the globe, the Central Tibetan Administration, the Tibetan government-in-exile in McLeodganj, India, has already begun to celebrate, as reported by NDTV.
Who will be his successor?
However, the decision will have significant spiritual and political ramifications, so everyone is more worried about whether the Dalai Lama will use the chance to name his successor or incarnation.
The Panchen Lama, the second-highest-ranking figure in Tibetan Buddhism, leads a process that determines the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation.
But this process has been made more difficult by the Chinese government’s refusal to grant the Panchen Lama his freedom; he has been detained since 1995.
Many Tibetan leaders are concerned that China might attempt to impose its preferred candidate for the Dalai Lama’s successor, which would likely lead to severe tensions.
In a previous statement, the Dalai Lama expressed his desire to make his reincarnation decision from a “free country,” which would continue to challenge Chinese authority on the subject.
According to Chinese officials, this decision must be made with Beijing’s consent and within the bounds of Chinese territory. Members of the Tibetan community become more uneasy as a result of this conflict, and China takes action to repress their Tibetan identity.
According to some officials, the Dalai Lama may decide that the institution of the Dalai Lama should cease with his lifetime, a possibility that the CTA has now brought up.
The Dalai Lama had previously written that, at the age of 90, he would confer with different Buddhist groups to determine whether the organization should continue, according to Norzin Dolma, a minister in the CTA.
“The announcement is not under any pressure,” Dolma stated, adding that the Dalai Lama has made it clear that he wants to live to be 110 years old, as per reports.
However, the growing conjecture regarding his successor raises serious concerns among Tibetan leadership, particularly in light of the recent resumption of border negotiations between China and India.
Tibetan officials have also voiced concerns about India’s involvement with Beijing and asked the nation to consider its long-term security interests.
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