India Asserts Dalai Lama’s Successor Must Be Chosen as per Traditional Practices

During his comments on Wednesday, the 14th Dalai Lama reiterated that the traditional line of the Dalai Lamas would continue.

A day after the 14th Dalai Lama made a categorical declaration on the procedure for the choice of his successor, India made it clear on Thursday that it would be the sole prerogative of him and in accordance with well-established traditions.

During his comments on Wednesday, the 14th Dalai Lama reiterated that the traditional line of the Dalai Lamas would continue.

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He detailed that the Gaden Phodrang Trust—a charitable organization established by his office in 2011—would have "sole authority" in determining his future reincarnation.

The government of India also declared that Union Ministers Rajeev Ranjan Singh and Kiren Rijiju will attend events celebrating the spiritual leader's 90th birthday on the upcoming Sunday.

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New Delhi's move follows Beijing's refusal to accept the succession process offered by the Dalai Lama. The Chinese government demanded that any reincarnation in the future will have to follow its rules. "The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama shall be in accordance with domestic recognition, the 'golden urn' method, and approval by the central government, consistent with religious traditions and laws," said Mao Ning, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

This statement came after the Dalai Lama's unequivocal statement: "I hereby repeat that the Gaden Phodrang Trust alone has the authority to recognise the future reincarnation. No other person has any such authority to meddle in this issue."

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In reaction to recent events, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, the democratically elected leader of the McLeodganj-based Central Tibetan Administration, stated, "There are three registered entities connected with His Holiness: the Gaden Phodrang Trust, which is a registered entity in India and works out of the office of His Holiness; the Dalai Lama Trust, a non-profit entity; and the Gaden Phodrang Foundation, which is registered in Zurich.". Of these, it is the Gaden Phodrang Trust that will be tasked with locating the reincarnation.

Under Tibetan beliefs, a deceased senior monk's soul is reborn into a new body after death to ensure continuation of the religious lineage.

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