Dalai Lama Plans Successor Selection Amid China Tibet Reincarnation Dispute

As the Dalai Lama approaches his 90th birthday, he has announced plans to name his successor during his lifetime, with the authority to identify the reincarnation resting solely with his office and foundation. This unprecedented move is aimed at preventing Beijing from controlling the centuries-old Tibetan reincarnation process, as China insists on approving the next Dalai Lama based on historical claims and has already installed its own Panchen Lama. The Dalai Lama has stated his successor will be born outside of Chinese control, emphasizing the continuation of the spiritual lineage free from Communist Party interference. Tibetans face increasing repression and surveillance under Chinese rule, with monasteries like Kirti remaining centers of resistance amid harsh crackdowns. The succession battle transcends spiritual significance, embodying a geopolitical struggle over Tibetan autonomy and cultural survival. China's insistence on controlling reincarnations highlights its broader efforts to assert dominance over Tibet’s religious institutions and identity.