TIBETAN OFFICIAL REJECTS CHINA’S CLAIM OVER DALAI LAMA REBIRTH

The issue of the reincarnation of the 14th Dalai Lama has once again ignited debate, with a senior Tibetan official strongly objecting to China’s claim that it has the “final say” in the process. This controversial statement has not only sparked anger among Tibetan communities worldwide but also raised serious concerns about religious freedom, cultural identity, and human rights under the Chinese regime.

China’s Position on the Dalai Lama’s Reincarnation

China’s government has repeatedly stated that it holds the ultimate authority over the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama. This position is rooted in a regulation issued in 2007 titled “Management Measures for the Reincarnation of Living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism.” The document mandates that all reincarnations of Tibetan spiritual leaders must be approved by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The Chinese authorities claim this is to maintain national unity and religious harmony.

From Beijing’s perspective, recognizing the next Dalai Lama through state-approved procedures would allow the government to maintain control over the religious and political influence of Tibetan Buddhism, especially in restive regions like Tibet and parts of Sichuan, Qinghai, and Yunnan.

Tibetan Official Responds: A Matter of Faith, Not Politics

In a recent statement, a senior official from the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA)  the Tibetan government-in-exile – firmly rejected China’s claim, calling it “absurd” and a direct interference in religious matters. The official emphasized that the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama is a purely spiritual and religious process, guided by centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist traditions, not political edicts.

“The Chinese Communist Party is an atheist regime with no understanding or respect for Buddhist practices,” the Tibetan official said. “To say that they have the final say in the reincarnation of a deeply spiritual leader is both illogical and insulting.”

He added that only the current Dalai Lama, in consultation with senior Tibetan Buddhist monks, can determine the process for identifying his successor. Any attempt by China to appoint a Dalai Lama through political manipulation will not be accepted by the Tibetan people or the global Buddhist community.

The Dalai Lama’s Own Views

The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, now in his late 80s and living in exile in India since 1959, has spoken many times about his reincarnation. He has even suggested the possibility of not being reborn at all or choosing to reincarnate outside Chinese-controlled territory. In 2011, he stated clearly that the responsibility for choosing the next Dalai Lama lies with the Tibetan people, not the Chinese government.

In his words: “No one else can decide on my reincarnation. No government can force a Dalai Lama, nor can they manufacture one for their political agenda.”

The Dalai Lama has also floated the idea of using democratic means among Tibetan spiritual leaders to find a successor, or even naming his reincarnation before his death  a break from traditional practices that shows his concern for the future of Tibetan Buddhism in the face of Chinese interference.

Global Reactions and Human Rights Concerns

The international community has expressed growing unease over China’s control of religious institutions. Human rights groups have repeatedly criticized China’s crackdown on Tibetan religious freedoms, including the jailing of monks, the destruction of monasteries, and the imposition of “patriotic education” in religious institutions.

U.S. lawmakers have also taken a stand. The “Tibetan Policy and Support Act” passed by the U.S. Congress in 2020 asserts that the decision regarding the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation belongs solely to the Tibetan Buddhist community. The law also threatens sanctions against Chinese officials who attempt to interfere in the process.

The European Union and several other democracies have echoed similar sentiments, supporting the Dalai Lama’s spiritual autonomy and the Tibetan people’s rights.

What Lies Ahead

The future of the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation remains uncertain. It is widely feared that Beijing may appoint its own Dalai Lama in an effort to control Tibetan Buddhism, similar to what it did with the Panchen Lama  the second-highest figure in Tibetan Buddhism. In 1995, the Dalai Lama recognized a young boy as the 11th Panchen Lama, but the Chinese government abducted him and installed their own candidate. The boy has not been seen publicly since.

Tibetan officials warn that a similar fate could befall the next Dalai Lama if the global community does not stand united in resisting China’s political interference in religion.

For Tibetans and Buddhists around the world, the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama is not just a spiritual tradition it’s a symbol of cultural survival and freedom. As tensions continue, one thing is clear: the struggle over the soul of Tibetan Buddhism is far from over.