As the 14th Dalai Lama reaches 90, his declaration to reincarnate has rocked China’s plans in Tibet and revived the Tibetan fight for identity and spiritual independence. The choice is a serious blow to Beijing’s attempts to erode Tibetan culture through the enlarging Han presence and increasing military presence in the Himalayan plateau.
Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Lama and leader of Tibetan Buddhism, not only decided to carry on the tradition of reincarnation but also made sure that it remains Chinese-free. By making this decision, he gives a new lease of life to the ancient tradition and offers new hope to more than six million Tibet Buddhists who have suffered under Chinese rule for the past 75 years.
“In deciding to reincarnate, Tenzin Gyatso has revitalized the ancient Dalai Lama’s institution and brought hope to the six million Tibetan Buddhists oppressed by China for 75 years.”
Dalai Lama Defies Cultural Imperialism
The Dalai Lama’s action directly counteracts China’s efforts to dominate Tibetan Buddhism. All four major schools—Nyingma, Sakya, Kagyu, and Gelug—acknowledge the Dalai Lama’s spiritual and temporal authority. Though the Communist Party of China has made efforts to attempt to manipulate the reincarnation process for political gain, the Dalai Lama still holds sway over his spiritual heritage.
“He has also fortified Tibetan Buddhism in the world by refusing to kneel to the cultural imperialism of Han China.”
Our response to media queries regarding recent statement by HH the Dalai Lama⬇️
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Reincarnation to Be Selected in the Free World
Remarkably, the spiritual guru has placed the Gaden Phodrang Trust, headed by his guru Samdhong Rinpoche, in charge of discovering his reincarnation. This ensures that the 15th Lama will be born outside China’s totalitarian state, independent of Beijing’s control.
This also keeps the process of reincarnation away from previous controversies, such as the Panchen Lama or the Karmapa. The Chinese authorities abducted the authentic Panchen Lama—recognized by the Dalai Lama—in 1995, while Beijing continues to promote its own appointee, Gyaltsen Norbu.
“That the reincarnation will be decided by the Gaden Pradhong Trust. Means that the 15th Dalai Lama will be born in the free world.”
China May Install Its Own ‘Dalai Lama’
Though China is not likely to acknowledge any Dalai Lama that the Gaden Phodrang Trust might appoint, it may try to set up a puppet with the discredited “Golden Urn” process—a practice spurned by most Tibetans. The Qing dynasty employed this in 1792 as a political method camouflaged as religious legitimacy.
Whether or not such tactics succeed, the spiritual authority of the Dalai Lama continues unimpaired.
