Succession of the 14th Dalai Lama

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14th Dalai Lama in 2012 The Dalai Lama in 2012.jpg
14th Dalai Lama in 2012

The Dalai Lama title was created by Altan Khan in 1587. According to Tibetan Buddhism, [1] [2] the Dalai Lama is believed by adherents to be able to choose the body into which he is reincarnated. That person, when found, will then become the next Dalai Lama.

Contents

In the past, the 14th Dalai Lama has said that he could reincarnate as a person from outside of Tibet, as a "mischievous blonde woman" [3] or not reincarnate at all. [4] In 2025 he said that the institution of Dalai Lama will continue and be recognized exclusively by the Gaden Phodrang. Chinese officials have accused him of "flip-flopping" on the issue, while critics have accused the Chinese government of interfering in religious affairs. The Chinese government has stated that Tibetan affairs are China's internal affairs that brook no external interference. [5]

Background

If a high lama about to pass away sees benefit in being reborn to continue his work, he reincarnates accordingly. A child is then sought, and the candidate who passes a series of tests is recognized as the tulku, or reincarnation, of the deceased lama. The process of recognition begins with consulting another high lama or oracle for indications, such as the blossoming of trees, earth tremors, the direction of smoke from cremation, omens or dreams experienced by the parents, all of which must be confirmed. More tests include checking a child's personality and whether they remember anything about the previous lama, his possessions, and close associates. Additional inner and secret tests using meditative insight are conducted. The final decision, based on all findings, is made by an authoritative lama. [6]

The tradition of formally recognizing reincarnate lamas began with Karma Pakshi, the second Karmapa. In the Gelug school, the tradition began with the second Dalai Lama, Gedun Gyatso. [6] If a single candidate is identified, the high lamas report their findings to eminent individuals and then to the Government. If more than one candidate is identified, the true successor is found by officials and monks drawing lots in a public ceremony. Once identified, the successful candidate and his family are taken to Lhasa where the child will study the Buddhist scriptures in order to prepare for spiritual leadership. [7] Since the 1790s, confirmation through or exemption from the Golden Urn process has been required for multiple Dalai Lamas and Panchen Lamas. [8]

According to the 14th Dalai Lama

In a 2004 interview with Time , the 14th Dalai Lama stated:

The institution of the Dalai Lama, and whether it should continue or not, is up to the Tibetan people. If they feel it is not relevant, then it will cease and there will be no 15th Dalai Lama. But if I die today I think they will want another Dalai Lama. The purpose of reincarnation is to fulfill the previous [incarnation's] life task. My life is outside Tibet, therefore my reincarnation will logically be found outside. But then, the next question: Will the Chinese accept this or not? China will not accept. The Chinese government most probably will appoint another Dalai Lama, like it did with the Panchen Lama. Then there will be two Dalai Lamas: one, the Dalai Lama of the Tibetan heart, and one that is officially appointed. [9]

The Dalai Lama stated in 2007 that the next Dalai Lama could possibly be a woman, remarking, "If a woman reveals herself as more useful the lama could very well be reincarnated in this form". [10] On 24 September 2011, the Dalai Lama issued a statement concerning his reincarnation giving exact signs on how the next one should be chosen, the place of rebirth and that the Chinese appointed Dalai Lama should not be trusted. [11]

In 2015, the 14th Dalai Lama has claimed (presumably as a joke) he may be reincarnated as a mischievous blonde woman. [12] In 2019, the 14th Dalai Lama said that if a female Dalai Lama comes, she should be more attractive. [13]

In October 2019, the 14th Dalai Lama stated that because of the feudal origin of the Dalai Lama reincarnation system, the reincarnation system should end. [14] [15] [16] In his book Voice for the Voiceless, the Dalai Lama states that his reincarnation will be born outside of China. He writes, "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 of the Dalai Lama - that is, to be the voice for universal compassion, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, and the symbol of Tibet embodying the aspirations of the Tibetan people - will continue." [17]

Responding to pronouncements of Chinese government officials insisting that they had the responsibility to choose the next Dalai Lama, Lobsang Sangay, Sikyong (prime minister) of the Tibetan government-in-exile, countered "It's like Fidel Castro saying, 'I will select the next Pope and all the Catholics should follow.'" [18]

On July 2, 2025, shortly before his 90th birthday, the Dalai Lama released a statement saying, "I am affirming that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue." He further stated that members of the Gaden Phodrang Trust would have exclusive responsibility for recognizing the next Dalai Lama and that "no one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter." [19] [20]

According to the Chinese government

The government of China has adopted a process for selecting the Tibetan Buddhist Dalai Lamas based on the Qing dynasty's imperial rules [18] and the customary right of Chinese emperors to approve Buddhist reincarnations. [21] [Note 1] The government involvement in the selection process remains controversial. [24] [25] [26] [27]

In 2004 the Religious Affairs Regulations (Chinese :宗教事务条例) was published by the Central Government of the People's Republic of China after the Method of Reincarnation of Lamas (Chinese :喇嘛轉世辦法) was abolished. [28] Article 36 of the Religious Affairs Regulations states that the reincarnation system must follow religious rituals and historical customs, and be approved by the government. [29]

The Golden Urn selection method that was established during the Qing dynasty became institutionalized in the 2007 State Religious Affairs Bureau Order No. 5 (Chinese :国家宗教事务局令第5号) of the Central Government. Article 7 states that no group or individual may carry out activities related to searching for and identifying the reincarnated soul boy of the 'living Buddha' without authorization. [30] [31] Article 8 states that lot-drawing ceremony with Golden Urn is applicable to those rinpoches, or lamas who were reincarnated previously in history. Request of exemption is handled by State Administration for Religious Affairs, for those with great impact, request of exemption is handled by State Council. [32] [33]

In 2015, the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Tibet, Padma Choling (白玛赤林), accused the Dalai Lama of profaning religion and hypocrisy for expressing the idea that reincarnation was not obligatory. [21] [34] Padma also objected to the Dalai Lama's insistence that no government had the right to choose the next Dalai Lama for political purposes. [21] Padma argued instead that the Chinese government in Beijing had the right to decide. [21]

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is officially atheist although it tolerates religion among members of the public. [35] It is not easy to become a 'living Buddha' in China. After years of meditation and discipline comes the bureaucracy. The CCP is uncomfortable with forces beyond its control and has for years attempted to regulate the religious affairs of Tibetan Buddhists, including their reincarnations. [36]

In October 2019, Chinese Foreign Ministry speaker Geng Shuang stated:

The institution of reincarnation of the Dalai Lama has been in existence for several hundred years. The 14th (present) Dalai Lama himself was found and recognised following rituals and conventions, and his succession was approved by the then central government. Therefore, the reincarnation must comply with Chinese laws and regulations, follow rituals and historic conventions. [37]

History of the Golden Urn process

In 1792 the Qianlong Emperor of the Qing dynasty published The Discourse of Lama , in which he questioned the reincarnation of Buddhas because they are not supposed to have births or deaths according to fundamental teachings of Buddhism. On the other hand, without reincarnated tulkus, many Tibetan Buddhists would lose their spiritual support. [38] Qianlong explained that choosing reincarnated lamas with the Golden Urn, as opposed to private designation or one person's choice, would be more fair [39] and could also prevent greedy families from acquiring multiple religious positions such as reincarnated rinpoches or lamas. [40] [41] [42] [43] The first article of 29-Article Ordinance for the More Effective Governing of Tibet states that the purpose of Golden Urn is to ensure the prosperity of Gelug and to eliminate cheating and corruption in the selection process. [44]

Since the creation of the Golden Urn, its confirmation or exemption has been required for multiple Dalai Lamas and Panchen Lamas. [8] In 1814 the registration process for all 167 Tulkus in Tibet, Kham, and Inner Mongolia was completed. [45]

According to Chinese reports, on 26 January 1940, the Reting Rinpoche requested the Central Government to exempt Lhamo Dhondup from the Golden Urn lot-drawing process. [46] Tibetologist Melvyn Goldstein wrote that while the Chinese envoy enjoyed additional privileges during the 14th Dalai Lama's enthronement, it is implausible for the Tibetan leadership to seek permission from the Chinese government. [47] The request was approved by the Central Government of Republic of China in 1940, and Lhamo Dhondup went on to become the 14th Dalai Lama. [27]

Opinions

According to Laxianjia, deputy director of Chinese government affiliated[ citation needed ] China Tibetology Research Center, irrespective of the Dalai Lama's exile outside of China, his reincarnation "is still part of the Gelug tradition and under the jurisdiction of the Chinese government, as most temples are located within China". [48] In 2025, Li Decheng, the deputy director general of the China Tibetology Research Center, said that Drepung Monastery in Lhasa has the capacity to look for the 15th Dalai Lama, and that it is "illegal" for the Dalai Lama to be reincarnated abroad. [49]

Some analysts opine that even if China uses the Golden Urn to pick a future Dalai Lama, they would lack the legitimacy and popular support needed to be functional, as Tibetan Buddhists all over the world would not recognize them. [50] According to Tibetan scholar Robert Barnett, China has failed in Tibet, also failed to find consistent leadership in Tibet by any Tibetan lama who is really respected by Tibetan people, and who at the same time endorses Communist Party rule." [50]

Despite the tradition of selecting young children, the 14th Dalai Lama may name an adult as his successor. Doing so would have the advantage that the successor would not need to spend decades studying Buddhism and can be taken seriously as a leader by the Tibetan diaspora immediately. [51]

The selection process for the next Dalai Lama has drawn interest and involvement from various nations, including Mongolia, which maintains strong ties to Tibetan Buddhism. [52]

Given that Tibetan Government in Exile and the Dalai Lama are based in India today and that the Dalai Lama has stated he will likely be reborn outside of Tibet/China, the prospect of the next Dalai Lama being born in India raises questions about what impact that would have on India-China relations. Kiren Rijiju, the Minister of Minority Affairs of India, affirmed that the Dalai Lama holds a central and defining role within global Buddhism. He asserted that any decision concerning the succession of the Dalai Lama should be guided by the preferences and decisions of the Dalai Lama himself, rather than external influence. [53]

A political challenge to Chinese control of Tibet from an Indian-born leader has implications for both sides. Alternatively, a CCP-appointed leader who gains power within the India-based government in exile also has significant ramifications. [54]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Twice, Qing-era Chinese governments declared a Dalai Lama's title revoked in the midst of complicated circumstances. In 1705, the Kangxi Emperor revoked Tsangyang Gyatso's Dalai Lama title. Soon thereafter, Tsangyang Gyatso apparently died while being brought to Beijing. [22] In 1904, the Qing government temporarily revoked Thubten Gyatso's Dalai Lama title. [23]

References

  1. ↑ "Buddhist theory of life, death and rebirth" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-05-08.
  2. ↑ "Reincarnation, Rebirth, and Buddhism: Here We Go Again". 7 July 2013.
  3. ↑ Dharamsala, Nicola Smith (2015-05-17). "I may come back as a blonde — or not at all, says Dalai Lama". www.thetimes.com. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
  4. ↑ "CTV Exclusive: Dalai Lama will choose successor", CTV News website, 2011-10-03, archived from the original on 2014-10-06, retrieved 2025-03-10, He suggested that there may not be a successor in the storied line of spiritual leaders to hold his title and the line may end with him.
  5. ↑ "Dalai Lama clique up to its tricks again".
  6. 1 2 "Lamas Reincarnated". Shambhala Pubs. 2017-03-06. Retrieved 2025-04-16.
  7. ↑ Dalai Lama: a spiritual leader who is found, not chosen, The Guardian, 27 August 2008
  8. 1 2 Sperling, Elliot (2012). "Reincarnation and the Golden Urn in the 19th Century: The Recognition of the 8th Panchen Lama" . Retrieved 2025-04-08.
  9. ↑ Perry, Alex (October 18, 2004). "A Conversation with the Dalai Lama". Time . Archived from the original on March 28, 2008. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
  10. ↑ Spencer, Richard (December 7, 2001). "Dalai Lama says successor could be a woman". London: Telegraph.co.uk . Retrieved November 19, 2010.
  11. ↑ Statement of His Holiness the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, on the Issue of His Reincarnation Website of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet September 24, 2011. Accessed December 26, 2014. Archived December 30, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Blondes have more fun, Dalai Lama apparently thinks as he mulls next reincarnation". New York Daily News. 2015-05-17. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  13. ↑ "Dalai Lama sorry for saying female successor would have to be 'attractive'". NBC News. 2019-07-02. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  14. ↑ "The Dalai Lama Calls the Dalai Lama Feudal – Buddha Buzz Weekly". 2 November 2019.
  15. ↑ "Addressing Students from North Indian universities". His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet. 2019-10-25. Archived from the original on 2019-11-06. Retrieved 19 August 2021. In seeking to balance preserving tradition and modern development, His Holiness suggested that the custom of recognising reincarnate lamas may have had its day. He remarked that no such custom existed in India. There is no reincarnation of the Buddha or Nagarjuna. He wondered what place this institution has in a democratic society.
  16. ↑ Shri Puri (26 October 2019). "Reincarnation feudal, should end now: Dalai Lama amid successor row with China". Times of India. Archived from the original on 2019-10-26. Retrieved 19 August 2021. "The tradition should end now as reincarnation has some connection with the feudal system," the Dalai Lama, the 14th to hold this position, said in Dharamshala on Friday. The Dalai Lama was addressing a gathering of college students from Bhutan and India at his residence in McLeodganj when he was asked about keeping alive traditional values in modern times and passing them on to future generations. "Any culture needs to evolve over a period of time. Like the Buddhist community in India has no tradition of reincarnation or lama institution. It developed in Tibet. I think there is some feudal connection to it and it needs to change now," he told the students. "Institutions need to be owned by the people, not by an individual. Like my own institution, the Dalai Lama's office, I feel it is linked to a feudal system. In 1969, in one of my official statements, I had mentioned that it should continue... But now I feel, not necessarily. It should go. I feel it should not be concentrated in a few people only (Tibetans)," he said. Elaborating, he added, "The system should end, or at least change with the changing times. There have been cases of individual lamas who use reincarnation (to get their way) but never pay attention to study and wisdom," he said, adding that he feels there should be no institutions of lamas and no reincarnations now.
  17. ↑ Das, Krishna N. (March 11, 2025). "Dalai Lama says his successor to be born outside China". Reuters. Retrieved 15 May 2025.
  18. 1 2 Beech, Hannah (Mar 12, 2015), China Says It Will Decide Who the Dalai Lama Shall Be Reincarnated As, archived from the original on 2017-10-27, retrieved 5 October 2017
  19. ↑ Dalai Lama (2 July 2025). "Statement Affirming the Continuation of the Institution of Dalai Lama". Central Tibetan Administration . Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  20. ↑ Pandey, Geeta; Hussain, Samira (2 July 2025). "Dalai Lama confirms he will have a successor after his death". BBC.com. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  21. 1 2 3 4 "China says Dalai Lama 'profanes' Buddhism by doubting his reincarnation". Reuters. 2015-03-09. Archived from the original on 2015-12-30. Retrieved 2023-11-07.
  22. ↑ https://www.sohu.com/a/205261175_388741 一七零五年，拉藏汗上奏康熙帝，奏称六世达赖不守清规，是假达赖，请予“废立”。康熙帝以“耽于酒色、不守清规”的罪名废黜六世达赖，解送京师。In 1705, Lazang Khan reported to Emperor Kangxi that the Sixth Dalai Lama did not abide by the rules and requested that he be deposed. Emperor Kangxi deposed the Sixth Dalai Lama on the charge of "indulging in wine and sex and not abiding by the rules" and sent him to the capital.
  23. ↑ http://www.qinghistory.cn/qsjj/qsjj_bjmz/363646.shtml 绪三十年（1904）六月，英军兵临拉萨，十三世达赖喇嘛逃往青海，转赴外蒙古。七月十一日，清政府决定暂行革去十三世达赖喇嘛名号，但不久又恢复。In June of the 30th year of Emperor Xu's reign (1904), the British army approached Lhasa, and the 13th Dalai Lama fled to Qinghai and then to Outer Mongolia. On July 11, the Qing government decided to temporarily remove the title of the 13th Dalai Lama, but it was restored soon after.
  24. ↑ Lu, Kang. "Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lu Kang's Regular Press Conference on May 26, 2017".
  25. ↑ O'Brien, Barbara (March 11, 2011). "The Dalai Lama steps back, but not down". The Guardian . Retrieved March 15, 2011.
  26. ↑ 1940年2月5日，国民政府正式颁发命令：“青海灵童拉木登珠，慧性湛深，灵异特著，查系第十三辈达赖喇嘛转世，应即免予抽签，特准继任为第十四辈达赖喇嘛。此令。”[On February 5, 1940, the National Government formally issued an order: "The Qinghai soul boy, Lamu Dengzhu, has profound wisdom, and a special book. The reincarnation of the 13th generation of the Dalai Lama should be exempted from drawing lots and succeeded to the 14th generation of Dalai Lama. By order."]
  27. 1 2 "Executive Yuan's Report to the National Government Regarding the Request to Approve Lhamo Thondup to Succeed the Fourteenth Dalai lama and to Appropriate Expenditure for His Enthronement". The Reincarnation of Living Buddhas. Museum of Tibetan Culture of China Tibetology Research Center. 1940.
  28. ↑ "喇嘛轉世辦法-全國法規資料庫".
  29. ↑ "宗教事务条例 – 维基文库，自由的图书馆". zh.wikisource.org. Retrieved 28 March 2023.
  30. ↑ 国家宗教事务局令（第5号）藏传佛教活佛转世管理办法 [State Religious Affairs Bureau Order (No. 5) Measures on the Management of the Reincarnation of Living Buddhas] (in Chinese). Central People's Government of the People's Republic of China. n.d. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
  31. ↑ 第七条　活佛转世申请获得批准后，根据活佛影响大小，由相应的佛教协会成立转世指导小组；由拟转世活佛僧籍所在寺庙管理组织或者相应的佛教协会组建转世灵童寻访小组，在指导小组的指导下实施寻访事宜。转世灵童由省、自治区佛教协会或者中国佛教协会根据宗教仪轨和历史定制认定。任何团体或者个人不得擅自开展有关活佛转世灵童的寻访及认定活动。 "Article 7: After the application for the reincarnation of a living Buddha is approved, according to the influence of the living Buddha, the corresponding Buddhist association will establish a reincarnation steering group; the management organization of the temple where the living Buddha is intended to be reincarnated or the corresponding Buddhist association will form a reincarnated soul child search group, and guide the group The implementation of the search matters. The reincarnated soul boy is recognized by the Buddhist Association of the Province, Autonomous Region or the Chinese Buddhist Association according to religious rituals and history. No group or individual may carry out activities related to searching for and identifying the reincarnated soul boy of the Living Buddha without authorization."
  32. ↑ 《藏传佛教活佛转世管理办法》第八条 历史上经金瓶掣签认定的活佛，其转世灵童认定实行金瓶掣签。请求免予金瓶掣签的，由省、自治区人民政府宗教事务部门报国家宗教事务局批准，有特别重大影响的，报国务院批准。
  33. ↑ 《藏传佛教活佛转世管理办法》第八条 历史上经金瓶掣签认定的活佛，其转世灵童认定实行金瓶掣签。请求免予金瓶掣签的，由省、自治区人民政府宗教事务部门报国家宗教事务局批准，有特别重大影响的，报国务院批准。[Administrative Measures for the Reincarnation of Living Buddhas of Tibetan Buddhism], Article 8: For the living Buddhas recognized by the golden bottle lottery in history, the reincarnated soul boy is recognized as the golden bottle lottery. Requests for exemption from lottery drawing for the golden bottle shall be submitted to the State Administration of Religious Affairs for approval by the religious affairs department of the people's government of the province or autonomous region, and approved by the State Council if it has a particularly significant impact.
  34. ↑ McDonell, Stephen (March 10, 2015). "China accuses Dalai Lama of profaning Buddhism by signalling end to reincarnation". abc.net.au. Retrieved July 26, 2017.
  35. ↑ BUCKLEY, CHRIS (March 11, 2015). "China's Tensions With Dalai Lama Spill Into the Afterlife". The New York Times . Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  36. ↑ Kaiman, Jonathan (March 8, 2016). "In China, the state decides who can come back from the dead". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved 28 September 2017.
  37. ↑ "China Says Dalai Lama's Reincarnation 'Must Comply With Chinese Laws and Regulations'". www.newsweek.com. 2019.
  38. ↑ https://zh.wikisource.org/zh-hant/%E5%96%87%E5%98%9B%E8%AA%AA 蓋佛本無生，豈有轉世？但使今無轉世之呼圖克圖，則數萬番僧，無所皈依，不得不如此耳。 Since Buddha had no birth, how could there be reincarnation? But if there were no reincarnated tulkus today, tens of thousands of monks would have nowhere to turn to, and this (reincarnation system) would be the only way they would have to go.
  39. ↑ 虽不能尽除其弊，而较之从前，各任私意指定者，大有间矣。..一人之授意者，或略公矣。
  40. ↑ 去转生一族之私
  41. ↑ 乾隆帝 (1792). 喇嘛說  [Lama said] (in Chinese) – via Wikisource.
  42. ↑ 御制《喇嘛说》碑 [The stele of "Lama Saying"]. The Reincarnation of Living Buddhas. Museum of Tibetan Culture of China Tibetology Research Center.
  43. ↑ 宇の航 (2016-09-04). 乾隆皇帝的《喇嘛说》碑文 [The inscription of Emperor Qianlong's "Lama Saying"]. Douban .
  44. ↑ 皇帝為了黃教的興隆，和不使護法弄假作弊
  45. ↑ ChenQingying (2005). The System of the Dalai Lama Reincarnation. 五洲传播出版社. pp. 80–. ISBN   978-7-5085-0745-3.
  46. ↑ "Report to Wu Zhongxin from the Regent Reting Rinpoche Regarding the Process of Searching and Recognizing the Thirteenth Dalai lama's Reincarnated Soul Boy as well as the Request for an Exemption to Drawing Lots". The Reincarnation of Living Buddhas. Museum of Tibetan Culture of China Tibetology Research Center. 1940.
  47. ↑ Goldstein 1991, p. 328–.
  48. ↑ "China has 'natural' say in choosing next Dalai Lama, Tibet experts tell Beijing forum". 30 June 2024. "Although the Dalai Lama is currently outside China, his reincarnation is still part of the Gelug tradition and under the jurisdiction of the Chinese government, as most temples are located within China," Laxianjia said, referring to the Gelug – or "Yellow Hat" – sect of the exiled Dalai Lama
  49. ↑ https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3304350/overseas-dalai-lama-reincarnation-could-not-be-recognised-beijing Overseas Dalai Lama reincarnation ‘could not be recognised’ by Beijing
  50. 1 2 Wong, Edward (June 6, 2009). "China Creates Specter of Dueling Dalai Lamas". The New York Times. New York Times. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  51. ↑ "Ethnic minorities expert on China's treatment of Uygurs, and Han chauvinism". South China Morning Post. 2024-09-23. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  52. ↑ Weekly, Mongolia (2024-12-15). "Mongolia, the Next Dalai Lama, and the Shadow of Global Politics". Mongolia Weekly. Retrieved 2024-12-15.
  53. ↑ ""No One Except Dalai Lama Can Decide His Successor": India Snubs China's Plan". www.ndtv.com. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
  54. ↑ "The Next Dalai Lama: Preparing for Reincarnation and Why It Matters to India". Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Retrieved 2025-05-31.

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