The non secular chief was recognised because the 14th Dalai Lama on the age of two and renamed Tenzin Gyatso. Tibetan officers have stated the method of recognising reincarnations of lamas in Tibetan Buddhism is strictly a Tibetan non secular custom, with no function for outsiders. (AFP)
Speculation has swirled about the way forward for the establishment because the Nobel laureate head of Tibetan Buddhism stated in 2011 that he would resolve on his ninetieth birthday – which falls on July 6 this 12 months – whether or not the place ought to proceed. His Wednesday announcement, which clarifies issues, got here at a Tibetan non secular convention in McLeodganj, close to Dharamshala, that’s a part of every week of celebrations to mark his birthday.
The Dalai Lama outlined the method for selecting his successor in a pre-recorded video message and stated his determination was influenced by quite a few requests from Tibetan non secular leaders, members of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile, and the Buddhist diaspora within the Himalayas, Mongolia, the Russian Federation and Asia, together with mainland China, that the establishment ought to proceed.
“In specific, I’ve acquired messages by way of varied channels from Tibetans in Tibet making the identical attraction. In accordance with all these requests, I’m affirming that the establishment of the Dalai Lama will proceed,” he stated, drawing cheers from greater than 100 monks who gathered together with long-time supporters resembling Hollywood star Richard Gere and journalists from the world over in a library in McLeodganj.
“I hereby reiterate that the Gaden Phodrang Trust has sole authority to recognise the long run reincarnation; nobody else has any such authority to intervene on this matter,” the Dalai Lama stated, referring to a non-profit he based in 2015 that oversees issues associated to the non secular chief and the institute of the Dalai Lama.
The remarks dominated out any function for China in recognising his reincarnation.
Hours later, an irate Beijing, which describes the Dalai Lama as a “separatist”, countered that the non secular chief’s reincarnation “have to be accredited by the central (Chinese) authorities”.
Chinese international ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning instructed a daily information briefing, “The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, the Panchen Lama and different nice Buddhist figures have to be chosen by drawing tons from a golden urn, and accredited by the central authorities.”
“The Chinese authorities implements a coverage of freedom of non secular perception, however there are laws on non secular affairs and strategies for managing the reincarnation of Tibetan residing Buddhas,” she added.
The Communist Party of China has insisted that Chinese authorities will anoint the following Dalai Lama by pulling a reputation from a “golden urn”. The Chinese facet claims this has been the best way of selecting the successors of Tibetan Buddhist leaders because the 18th century, however this methodology has been dismissed outright by the Dalai Lama and his tens of millions of followers.
Over the years, the Dalai Lama has stated the establishment of the Dalai Lama could possibly be wound up, or that his successor could possibly be a girl or somebody born exterior Tibet. He has additionally stated it was attainable there is likely to be no successor in any respect.
Many observers imagine there ultimately will probably be rival Dalai Lamas — one appointed by Beijing, and one by senior monks loyal to the present Dalai Lama.
Born Lhamo Thondup, the chief grew to become the 14th reincarnation of the Dalai Lama in 1940. He fled Tibet at 23 when Chinese troops crushed an rebellion within the Tibetan capital Lhasa in 1959 and has been residing in Dharamshala since 1960, serving to set up a democratic government-in-exile whereas additionally travelling the world to advocate autonomy for the Tibetan folks.
Tibetan Buddhists imagine the Dalai Lama can select the physique into which he’s reincarnated, as has occurred on 14 events because the creation of the establishment in 1587. He has reiterated previously that his successor could be born exterior China.
On Wednesday, the Dalai Lama recalled his remarks in 2011 about consulting the excessive Lamas of Tibetan Buddhism and the Tibetan public when he turned 90 to resolve whether or not the establishment of the Dalai Lama ought to proceed.
Acknowledging that there have been “no public discussions on this difficulty” over the previous 14 years, he stated leaders of Tibet’s non secular traditions, members of the Tibetan Parliament-in-exile and the Central Tibetan Administration, non-governmental organisations, and the Buddhist diaspora within the Himalayan area, Mongolia, Buddhist republics of the Russian Federation and in Asia, “together with mainland China”, had written to him “earnestly requesting that the establishment of the Dalai Lama proceed”.
He instructed the convention, being attended by representatives of all main Tibetan Buddhist traditions, that the method for recognising his reincarnation was clearly established in his assertion of September 24, 2011, which stated this duty “will relaxation completely with members of the Gaden Phodrang Trust”.
Members of the belief ought to seek the advice of heads of Tibetan Buddhist traditions and “dependable oath-bound Dharma Protectors” linked to the lineage of Dalai Lamas. “They ought to accordingly perform the procedures of search and recognition in accordance with previous custom,” he stated.
The non secular chief was recognised because the 14th Dalai Lama on the age of two and renamed Tenzin Gyatso. Tibetan officers have stated the method of recognising reincarnations of lamas in Tibetan Buddhism is strictly a Tibetan non secular custom, with no function for outsiders.
Penpa Tsering, the president of the government-in-exile, stated Tibetans from all over the world made “an earnest request with single-minded devotion” that the place of the Dalai Lama ought to proceed “for the good thing about all sentient beings usually and Buddhist particularly.”
“In response to this overwhelming supplication, His Holiness has proven infinite compassion and at last agreed to just accept our attraction on this big day of his ninetieth birthday,” he stated at a press convention.
Tsering, nonetheless, warned China to not meddle within the technique of the Dalai Lama’s succession, saying it’s a “distinctive Tibetan Buddhist custom.”
The seek for a Dalai Lama’s reincarnation begins solely upon the incumbent’s demise. In the previous, the successor has been recognized by senior monastic disciples, primarily based on non secular indicators and visions, and it could possibly take a number of years after the following Dalai Lama is recognized as a child and groomed to take the reins.
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