Dharamshala: Ending years of speculations, Tibetan spiritual leader His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Wednesday reaffirmed that the centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist institution will continue after his death, while making clear that the responsibility of choosing his successor rests entirely with “free Tibetans.”
In an official statement, the Dalai Lama said the responsibility for identifying the 15th Dalai Lama will rest exclusively with the India-based Gaden Phodrang Trust, his office, thus effectively excluding China from any role over appointing the 15th Dalai Lama.
The Dalai Lama noted that there have been overwhelming appeals from Tibetan spiritual leaders, Buddhist communities worldwide, and crucially, Tibetans living inside Tibet requesting that the institution of the Dalai Lama continue.
“In accordance with all these requests, I am affirming that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue,” the 14th Dalai Lama declared.
His Holiness also said 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.
An official statement issued by his office affirming the continuation of the institution of Dalai Lama said:
“On 24 September 2011, at a meeting of the heads of Tibetan spiritual traditions, I made a statement to fellow Tibetans in and outside Tibet, followers of Tibetan Buddhism, and those who have a connection with Tibet and Tibetans, regarding whether the institution of the Dalai Lama should continue. I stated, “As far back as 1969, I made clear that concerned people should decide whether the Dalai Lama’s reincarnations should continue in the future.”
“I also said, “When I am about ninety I will consult the high Lamas of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions, the Tibetan public, and other concerned people who follow Tibetan Buddhism, to re-evaluate whether or not the institution of the Dalai Lama should continue.”
“Although I have had no public discussions on this issue, over the last 14 years leaders of Tibet’s spiritual traditions, members of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, participants in a Special General Body Meeting, members of the Central Tibetan Administration, NGOs, Buddhists from the Himalayan region, Mongolia, Buddhist republics of the Russian Federation and Buddhists in Asia including mainland China, have written to me with reasons, earnestly requesting that the institution of the Dalai Lama continue. In particular, I have received messages through various channels from Tibetans in Tibet making the same appeal. In accordance with all these requests, I am affirming that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue.
“The process by which a future Dalai Lama is to be recognized has been clearly established in the 24 September 2011 statement which states that responsibility for doing so will rest exclusively with members of the Gaden Phodrang Trust, the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. They should consult the various heads of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions and the reliable oath-bound Dharma Protectors who are linked inseparably to the lineage of the Dalai Lamas. They should accordingly carry out the procedures of search and recognition in accordance with past tradition.
“I hereby reiterate that the Gaden Phodrang Trust has sole authority to recognize the future reincarnation; no one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter,” it said.
