After the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, announced continuation of the institution of the Dalai Lama on Wednesday, a war of words broke out between the Chinese and Tibetans
The Dalai Lama’s statement was a landmark decision for Tibetans, many of whom had feared a future without a leader, China, however, said the successor must be “approved by the Chinese government.” China considers the Dalai Lama a separatist and wants to choose his successor on its own. The Dalai Lama’s succession must comply with Chinese laws and regulations as well as religious rituals and historical conventions, Mao Ning, a spokesperson at the Chinese foreign ministry, said at a regular news conference.
The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama on Wednesday issued a strong affirmation that the institution would continue after his death. He also listed the process of locating the reincarnation of the next Dalai Lama, saying the Gaden Phodrang Trust has the sole authority to recognise the future reincarnation.
The successor will be born outside China and urged his followers to reject anyone chosen by Beijing, according to the Dalia Lama
“I hereby reiterate that the Gaden Phodrang Trust has sole authority to recognise the future reincarnation; no one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter,” he said in a statement issued after prayer celebrations ahead of his 90th birthday.
However, hours after the Tibetan spiritual leader ruled out Beijing’s authority in picking the 15th Dalai Lama, foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told media persons that “the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, the Panchen Lama and other great Buddhist figures must be chosen by drawing lots from a golden urn, and approved by the central government.”
“The Chinese government implements a policy of freedom of religious belief, but there are regulations on religious affairs and methods for managing the reincarnation of Tibetan living Buddhas,” Mao said.
The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), also known as the Tibetan Government-In-Exile, dismissed China’s objection to the Dalai Lama’s successor, saying that the Chinese government is the ‘offender of the faith”
According to CTA spokesperson Tenzin Lakshey, China has no role to play in the reincarnation process of any Tibetan religious leader.
China is trying to control the selection of the next Dalai Lama, by promoting that Tibetan Buddhism has always been part of Chinese culture.
Beijing views the Dalai Lama, who fled Tibet in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule, a separatist and says it will choose his successor.
The 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso, announced de facto Tibetan independence in early 1913.
China did not recognize Tibet’s independence and continues to claim sovereignty over the region
