Dalai Lama Affirms Reincarnation Authority Amid China Succession Dispute

As the Dalai Lama nears his 90th birthday, he confirmed that the institution of his reincarnation will continue, with the 15th Dalai Lama to be chosen following centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist traditions managed by his Gaden Phodrang Trust. He emphasized that his office holds the sole authority to recognize his future incarnation, explicitly excluding China from any role in the selection process. This declaration comes amid ongoing tension with the Chinese government, which insists that it must approve the reincarnation through a traditional Qing Dynasty method involving lot-drawing from a golden urn and that the process comply with Chinese laws. The Central Tibetan Administration and the Dalai Lama's supporters reject Beijing's claim, asserting that China has no legitimacy in Tibetan religious matters. The conflicting views highlight the broader struggle over Tibetan spiritual and cultural leadership between the exiled Tibetan community and the Chinese regime. The Dalai Lama's announcement was met with applause from Tibetan monks, signifying a firm stance to uphold Tibetan Buddhist traditions despite political challenges.