Dalai Lama asserts successor will not be born under Chinese rule
In his new book, “Voice for the Voiceless,” the Dalai Lama has laid out his vision for Tibet’s future and stated that his successor will be born in the ‘free world’ rather than under Chinese rule.
The 89-year-old spiritual leader acknowledged that while his return to Tibet is becoming increasingly unlikely, he remains optimistic about the future of the Tibetan cause.
This marks the first time that the head of Tibetan Buddhism has explicitly made such a statement regarding his reincarnation. His remarks have sparked a strong reaction from China, which maintains that only Beijing has the authority to determine his successor.
Dalai Lama: “My successor will carry on the traditional mission”
“Since the purpose of a reincarnation is to carry on the work of the predecessor, the new Dalai Lama will be born in the free world so that the traditional mission—to be the voice for universal compassion, the spiritual leader of Tibet, and the symbol of Tibetan aspirations—will continue,” the Dalai Lama wrote in his book.
Recounts historic interactions with Chinese leaders
Reflecting on his decades-long struggle to protect Tibet’s culture and autonomy, the Dalai Lama provided historic accounts of his interactions with Chinese leaders, ranging from Chairman Mao Zedong to President Xi Jinping.
He reiterated his longstanding call for dialogue, even though talks between Beijing and Tibetan leaders have been at a stalemate since 2010.
“The right of the Tibetan people to be the custodians of their own homeland cannot be indefinitely denied, nor can their aspiration for freedom be crushed forever through oppression,” the Dalai Lama further wrote, according to Reuters.
China rejects Dalai Lama’s statement on reincarnation
Meanwhile, Beijing has strongly criticized the Dalai Lama’s statements, insisting that the reincarnations of living Buddhas, including the Dalai Lama, must abide by Chinese national laws and regulations.
According to the AFP news agency, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Tuesday that the Dalai Lama “is a political exile engaged in anti-China separatist activities under the cloak of religion.”
She further emphasized that his reincarnation must follow Chinese laws and historical traditions, reinforcing Beijing’s claim over the process of Tibetan Buddhist succession.