Dalai Lama Turns 90, Affirms Reincarnation Amid China Tensions

As the 14th Dalai Lama celebrates his 90th birthday in Dharamshala, India, he has expressed his hope to live beyond 130 years and confirmed plans to reincarnate after his death, thus ensuring the continuation of his spiritual leadership. He asserted that the authority to recognize his successor rests exclusively with his own non-profit institution, the Gaden Phodrang Trust, in defiance of China's claims that Beijing must approve the succession. China views the Dalai Lama as a separatist and seeks to control the reincarnation process to install a compliant spiritual leader, while India supports the traditional Tibetan Buddhist process and rejects Chinese interference. The succession of the Dalai Lama has become a geopolitical flashpoint, symbolizing the larger struggle between religious freedom and authoritarian control, with the United States calling on China to cease its interference. The celebrations include thousands of followers, officials, and cultural events, highlighting both the spiritual significance and the political tensions surrounding Tibet's future. Tibetan exiles and global supporters remain hopeful and vigilant as they prepare for the challenges ahead, emphasizing the Dalai Lama's enduring influence and the spiritual unity he embodies.