On Wednesday, China issued a statement criticizing the declaration from the Dalai Lama through the China Tibetology Research Centre.
The current Dalai Lama, who is approaching his 90th birthday on July 6, confirmed in a letter that the tradition of the Dalai Lama should persist after his passing. As the leader of Tibetan Buddhism, he is the 14th person to hold this position. In Buddhist belief, the Dalai Lama is thought to be reincarnated in a child following his death. However, the current Dalai Lama has expressed concerns about Tibet’s future given the ongoing Chinese repression, suggesting that if he were to be reborn, it would ideally be in a “free world.”
The Chinese Communist Party has a long history of suppressing all religions and currently governs Tibet, often referring to it as “Xizang.” They have labeled the Dalai Lama a “separatist” for decades, condemning him for rejecting Beijing’s control and asserting themselves as the authority over Tibetan Buddhism. In 2016, a prominent Communist Party leader in Tibet declared that combating the Dalai Lama and his influence was a “top priority for our ethnic issues.”
The current Dalai Lama has been living in India since 1959, after fleeing following a failed uprising aimed at removing the Communist regime that took over Tibet in 1950.
In his letter, the Dalai Lama didn’t specifically mention China, but he emphasized that only his office has the authority to determine his future reincarnation, implicitly dismissing any claims from the Chinese government regarding this matter. He firmly stated that no external party holds that power, underscoring the lack of Chinese authority in this issue.
“I affirm that the institution of the Dalai Lama will endure,” he wrote, pointing to the many inquiries he received about reincarnation as he approached his birthday.
He further explained that the procedures for recognizing future Dalai Lamas were clearly outlined in a statement from 2011, which vested this responsibility in the Gaden Phodrang Trust, attached to his office. These members are expected to consult various Tibetan Buddhist leaders and reliable guardians of the Dharma, all of whom are linked to the Dalai Lama lineage.
“I reiterate that the Gaden Phodrang Trust has the exclusive authority for recognizing future reincarnations. No other authority can interfere with this matter,” he concluded.
This week, he read his letter aloud at a religious conference in Dharamsala, India. The Tibetan government in exile backed his statement, asserting that the Chinese government has no legitimate role in Buddhist matters.
“The primary process for recognizing the reincarnation of his holiness adheres to the unique Tibetan Buddhist tradition of the Dalai Lama,” said a representative from the Tibetan government in exile. “We will firmly condemn any attempt by the People’s Republic of China to manipulate this subject for political gain, and we will not accept it.”
For years, the Chinese Communist Party has claimed the ultimate authority in selecting religious leaders. Although China is officially an atheist state, it permits the practice of five religions: Protestant Christianity, Catholicism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Islam. However, religious activities are heavily regulated, with leaders often expected to promote government propaganda rather than their faith.
In response to the Dalai Lama’s memo, Li Deing, a Deputy Director at the China Tibetology Research Center, wrote a lengthy defense for the Communist Party’s role in selecting the next Dalai Lama.
He argued that the choice of the Dalai Lama involves “national sovereignty, governmental authority, religious principles, and the sentiments of lay followers.” Li claimed that government oversight of religion is an accepted practice worldwide. Specifically regarding Tibetan Buddhism, he stated that the recognition of reincarnation must comply with government regulations.
Li emphasized that the reincarnation of living Buddhas can only occur within China, insisting that identification of these figures is the sole responsibility of the Communist Party.
Earlier this year, the current Dalai Lama mentioned in a publication that he would be reborn outside of China, as fulfilling his spiritual duties in China is untenable.
“The essence of reincarnation is to carry on our predecessors’ work, so the new Dalai Lama should ideally be born in a free world,” he stated, aiming to continue the traditional mission of being a voice of compassion and a spiritual leader for the Tibetan populace.
Li contested the idea of the Dalai Lama’s role within China, framing it as a sovereignty issue.
He concluded that this reflects the state’s control over regions like Xizang, asserting that political authority takes precedence over religious authority. “Religious adherents are citizens first and foremost,” he added.
The China Tibetology Research Center is linked to the United Front Work Department, which aims to silence criticism of the government internationally. At the time of writing, their homepage features an article celebrating a recent event involving the Chinese leader.
