His Holiness the Dalai Lama is widely expected to make an announcement on the course of succession for the Dalai Lama lineage during the 15th Tibetan Religious Conference, which will be held from 2–4 July in Dharamsala, northern India, just days before His Holiness’ 90th birthday on 6 July.

Tibetan Buddhist leaders, including heads and representatives of all four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism, Gelug, Kagyu, Nyingma, and Sakya, will meet the Dalai Lama at the conference. The soon-to-be nonagenarian Tibetan spiritual leader is expected to give a video message during the event that may address the politically sensitive matter of reincarnation.

The issue of who will succeed the Dalai Lama has gained increasing weight as a point of political dispute in recent years in light of His Holiness’ age and reported health issues. As the head of the Gelug school of Vajrayana Buddhism and the principal international figurehead for Tibetan Buddhism, the spiritual leadership of the Dalai Lama continues to wield significant influence among ethnic Tibetans living under Chinese rule and the overseas Tibetan diaspora. The next Dalai Lama would be the 15th incarnation over an unbroken lineage that has lasted some 500 years.

Speaking with the Asian News International news agency, the president of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), the Tibetan government-in-exile, Penpa Tsering said: “Since we came into exile, all the Buddhist traditions and the pre-Buddhist traditions inside Tibet, we used to meet periodically, so during this cabinet, this is the first time we are meeting.

“We also timed it in such a way that there is only one document that is available [which is the] reincarnation September 2011 document, which talks about when [the] Dalai Lama will reach the age of 90, then he would take certain decisions or consultation with others, and this year it’s going to be Dalai Lama 90th birthday.” (ANI)

Another member of the CTA, Namgyal Dolkar Lhagyari, remarked: “We all are aware of the past event, especially of  . . . 2011, where 14th Dalai Lama has very categorically mentioned that when he is 90 he will be making some important announcement in regard to his reincarnation or emanation before death.” (ANI)

His Holiness has previously stated that if the Dalai Lama lineage is to continue, the Gaden Phodrang Trust in McLeod Ganj, Dharamsala, the Office of the Dalai Lama, would be responsible for recognizing the next lineage-holder. 

“At a time when China speaks about the ‘Sinization’ of Tibetan Buddhism, which in practice aims at the eradication of the Indian origin of Buddhism on the Tibetan Plateau, it is important to remember that the Dalai Lama is not only the leader of all Tibetans, but also of one million Indian Himalayans (from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh),” noted Tibetologist and strategy expert Claude Arpi was quoted as saying by The New Indian Express newspaper. (The New Indian Express)

The CTA is also plans to launch a series of events around the world over the 12 months beginning on the Dalai Lama’s birthday. 

“We are celebrating the period as the ‘Year of Compassion’ and have scheduled multiple events, from prayers for His Holiness’ long life to religious and cultural events, which will be spread throughout the year,” said Penpa Tsering. (The New Indian Express)

Tsering acknowledged that any decision on succession for the lineage could include the traditional paths of reincarnation or emanation, in which a spiritual successor is named during the predecessor’s lifetime. However, in light of the publication of His Holiness’s recent book, Voice for the Voiceless,* the CTA president said he believed that reincarnation seemed to be the more likely outcome.

On several occasions in recent years, the Dalai Lama has commented publicly on the eventuality of his next incarnation. He has suggested that the next Dalai Lama may for the first time be born outside of Tibet, possibly incarnated as a woman, and even that the 500-year-old lineage could end with him. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate has even suggested that the long-standing institution of reincarnate lamas may itself be coming to an end. 

In a public statement in 2011, the Dalai Lama remarked: “Reincarnation is a phenomenon which should take place either through the voluntary choice of the concerned person or at least on the strength of his or her karma, merit, and prayers. Therefore, the person who reincarnates has sole legitimate authority over where and how he or she takes rebirth and how that reincarnation is to be recognized. It is a reality that no one else can force the person concerned, or manipulate him or her.” (His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet)

The Dalai Lama, who stepped down as the political leader of the Tibetan government-in-exile in 2011 to focus on his role as Buddhist monk and a spiritual leader, has been branded a “separatist” and a “splittist” by the Chinese government, which has been working strenuously to Sinicize Tibet and Tibetan regions of China, including tight controls over all aspects of Buddhist study and practice for laypeople and monastic institutions. 

In 2007, China’s State Administration for Religious Affairs decreed that all Buddhist reincarnations born within China must obtain the approval of the government to be regarded as valid. Under the decree, reincarnation applications must be approved by four different governmental bodies—the religious affairs department of the provincial government, the provincial government itself, the State Administration for Religious Affairs, and the State Council.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama, meanwhile, has consistently denied calling for Tibetan independence, arguing instead for a “Middle Way” approach that would see greater autonomy returned to Tibet and the Tibetan people. In the new book he emphasizes that the aspiration of the Tibetan people for freedom cannot be denied indefinitely.

His Holiness states: “One clear lesson we know from history is this: If you keep people permanently unhappy, you cannot have a stable society.” (Tibetan Review)

* Voice for the Voiceless: Dalai Lama’s New Book Illuminates the Path to Succession (BDG)

See more

Dalai Lama to make announcement about his reincarnation during upcoming Tibetan Religious Conference (ANI)
Buddhist leaders’ conference to be held in Dharamshala ahead of Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday: CTA President (Phayul)
China ramps up security in Amdo ahead of Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday (Phayul)
As he approaches his 90th birthday, the Dalai Lama prepares for his reincarnation (Le Monde)
EU calls on China not to interfere in the selection of the reincarnation of H H the 14th Dalai Lama (The Tibet Post)
Dalai Lama may name reincarnation on July 2 (The New Indian Express)
Will the Dalai Lama address the issue of his succession early next month? (Tibetan Review)
Dalai Lama explains why Beijing is a poor candidate for hosting his reincarnation (Tibetan Review)
Reincarnation (His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet)

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