His Holiness the Dalai Lama has shed new light on the path to succession for the Dalai Lama lineage in his latest book published in the UK and the US on Tuesday. In the new book, the Tibetan spiritual leader expands on previous allusions on the thorny subject, stating that his successor is certain to be born “in the free world” outside of China.

“Since the purpose of a reincarnation is to carry on the work of the predecessor, the new Dalai Lama will be born in the free world so that the traditional mission of the Dalai Lama—that is, to be the voice for universal compassion, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, and the symbol of Tibet embodying the aspirations of the Tibetan people—will continue,” the Dalai Lama writes in his book, titled Voice for the Voiceless: Over Seven Decades of Struggle with China for My Land and My People. (Central Tibetan Administration)

The issue of who will succeed the Dalai Lama, who is due to turn 90 later this year, 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.

Published by William Morrow on 11 March, Voice for the Voiceless tells the full story of His Holiness’ nearly 75-year resistance to Chinese control of Tibet and its people. The book is described by the publisher as “the most personal and definitive account of the Dalai Lama’s fight for human rights, freedom, and dignity for the Tibetan people, and his enduring vision for a peaceful future.” (HarperCollins Publishers)

“Voice for the Voiceless is an important work for me and my people,” the Dalai Lama is quoted as saying an announcement released by the publisher. “It is an account of over seven decades of my dealing with successive leaders of the People’s Republic of China on behalf of Tibet and its people. I share my own personal experiences since I was 16 years old, when I was asked to assume the leadership of Tibet, including the persistent efforts I have made to save my homeland and people. The book also recounts how, despite all the suffering and destruction, we still hold fast to the hope for a peaceful resolution of our struggle for freedom and dignity.” (HarperCollins Publishers)

Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, fled Tibet in 1959, aged 23, traveling on foot across the Himalayas to India with thousands of other Tibetans in after a failed uprising against occupying forces of the Chinese government of Mao Zedong. In the new 256-page volume, His Holiness explicitly rules out China for his reincarnation, underscoring his determination to ensure the continuation of the lineage beyond the influence of the Chinese government.

The Dalai Lama relates in Voice for the Voiceless, that he has received petitions from people inside and outside of Tibet imploring him to ensure that the Dalai Lama lineage is sustained. “Drawing on the lessons learned from my decades of engagement with Beijing, the book also aims to offer some thoughts on what might be the way forward. In my role as the Dalai Lama, there is no issue more important than what I describe in these pages. My hope is that the book will stimulate fresh thoughts and conversations today and provide a framework for the future of Tibet even after I am gone.” (HarperCollins Publishers)

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)

See more

Dalai Lama Says His Successor to be Born Outside China (Central Tibetan Administration)
Dalai Lama explains why Beijing is a poor candidate for hosting his reincarnation (Tibetan Review)
Dalai Lama says his successor to be born outside China (Reuters)
Dalai Lama book offers ‘framework’ for Tibet’s future after his death (HKFP)
Dalai Lama says his successor will be born in ‘free world,’ outside China (RFA)
My successor will be born in ‘free world’ outside China: Dalai Lama says in new book (Phayul)
HarperCollins to Publish Voice for the Voiceless: Over Seven Decades of Struggle with China for My Land and My People by His Holiness The Dalai Lama (HarperCollins Publishers)
Reincarnation (His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet)

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