Dalai Lama says successor will be chosen outside China
The 14th Dalai Lama, speaking ahead of his 90th birthday in Dharamsala, affirmed that the centuries‑old tradition of finding a successor will continue after his death. He announced that the Gaden Phodrang Trust, which he founded, will solely oversee the recognition of the next Dalai Lama, emphasising that no other authority, including the Chinese government, has a say. He added that the next incarnation is expected to be born outside China, likely in a “free country”.
This declaration dispels earlier hints that he might be the final Dalai Lama and directly challenges Beijing’s claim that only China has the right to select the next spiritual leader under its historical Golden Urn ritual. China has reaffirmed its insistence that any future Dalai Lama must be born and approved in China, setting the stage for a potentially rival reincarnation.
🔁 Political and Public Reactions:
- Dalai Lama (via Trust): “No one else has any authority, tradition must guide this.” (thedailyguardian.com, thefinancialexpress.com.bd)
- Indian exile leader Penpa Tsering: > “China must not interfere, this is our cultural right.” (ajc.com)
- China’s Foreign Ministry (spokesperson Mao Ning): “Only the government has the right to approve reincarnations.” (reuters.com)
📰 Bias Snapshot & Framing:
- Reuters/AP/Guardian present the Dalai Lama’s statement as significant but contrasted firmly with China’s regulatory claims, spotlighting contested religious sovereignty. (theweek.com, washingtonpost.com)
- Al Jazeera/Time explore the geopolitical implications, India’s role, U.S. interest, and Chinese efforts to assert soft power via spiritual legitimacy.
- China‑aligned media frame the announcement as a challenge to state sovereignty and denounce Western backing as interference. (rfa.org)
📊 Sentiment: Neutral–positive. The Dalai Lama’s clear succession framework reassures Tibetan Buddhists and counters Chinese efforts to control the narrative. Yet it also crystallises a brewing clash between religious freedom and state sovereignty.