Dalai Lama Declares China Excluded from Successor Selection Amid Tensions

Ahead of his 90th birthday, the 14th Dalai Lama affirmed that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue through reincarnation and emphasized that only the Gaden Phodrang Trust, an organization he founded, has the authority to recognize his successor, excluding any external interference, particularly from China. His remarks were made during a gathering of Buddhist leaders in Dharamsala, India, where the Tibetan government-in-exile is based, and come amid growing concerns that China might try to influence the succession process to control the Tibetan spiritual leadership. The Dalai Lama stated that the next reincarnation does not necessarily have to be born in Tibet, directly challenging China's claim that it alone has the legal authority to approve the successor and that the reincarnated leader must be found within Chinese-controlled Tibetan areas. China responded swiftly, reiterating that the succession must comply with Chinese laws, regulations, and religious traditions, asserting state approval is mandatory. The Dalai Lama’s public discussion of his succession is unusual and reflects his desire to reassure supporters that the Tibetan Buddhist leadership will persist despite Chinese political pressure. His English translator noted that the Dalai Lama is proactively addressing concerns about potential leadership gaps after his passing.