The Dalai Lama to name his successor on July 6

Successor to appear before the world in India’s Dharamshala

Delhi Crown Bureau

New Delhi: After two months from now, on July 6 Tibetan supreme spiritual leader His Holiness The Dalai Lama is expected to announce his spiritual successor. The occasion would be his 90th birthday, and the venue would be Indian state Himachal Pradesh’s Dharamshala town, the seat of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile.

The successor would be considered as the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation who will lead the Tibetans’ struggle against China in the years and decades ahead. Most probably the successor would be aged between 3 and 6 years.

This was stated by Central Tibetan Administration (CAT) leader Penpa Tsering in an interview with a leading English daily mostly circulated and read in south India.

According to Tsering, before taking the final call and installing his successor in front of the whole world, The Dalai Lama would consult religious heads of various Buddhist traditions during the events planned on July 2, 3 and 4 in the run-up to his birthday celebrations (on July 6).

The whole process of announcing the successor is in-line with what the Tibetan supreme leader had announced in 2011, that he would take the decision on the subject of his spiritual successor when he was “about 90”.

Why Successor is Important ?

The Dalai Lama has successfully led the Tibetans’ struggle against China for over 66 years, since May 1959 when he escaped from Lhasa fearing for his life (safety) due to the growing Chinese presence in Tibet. Amid unverified reports about him suffering from Cancer, The Dalai Lama has grown old as he will enter his 90s this July. Hence, the Tibetans need The Dalai Lama’s successor.

As per Tibetan Buddhism’s tradition and customs, the Dalai Lama is supposed to choose and install his successor during his own lifetime. The process is complex involving reincarnation and spiritual guidance. It includes senior Buddhist monks seeking visions, signs, and tests, and historically. The process has to be free from any political interference.

The potential reincarnation, or The Panchen Lama, then has to undergo various tests to prove himself, such as identifying objects belonging to the previous Dalai Lama.

Why is China Deterred ?

China wants to have its own Panchen Lama who would be seen as The Dalai Lama’s successor, as by doing so it would validate its control over Tibet and the Tibetans worldwide. All these years China has been keeping a strict eye on the process of naming of The Dalai Lama’s successor by himself.

Beijing intends to leave no stone unturned in thwarting the process (of Dalai Lama declaring his successor), as it is directly linked with its control over the Tibet region in the years ahead.

It may be recalled that The 11th Panchen Lama named Gendhun Choekyi Nyima went missing in 1995 shortly after his recognition by the Dalai Lama as his successor. It is widely believed that The 11th Panchen Lama was abducted by the Chinese government along with his parents, and their whereabouts have remained unknown since then.

Without disclosing his whereabouts, the Chinese government has often claimed that The Panchen Lama and his family are living a “normal life”.

Over the years the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, the United Nations, and various global states and organisations, and private individuals have called for his release and an investigation into his disappearance, but to no avail.

The Chinese government has repeatedly denied requests for an independent body or organisation to visit the Panchen Lama.

China insists on having the final say in the selection of the next Dalai Lama.  Beijing has cited the “Golden Urn” method (drawing lots) from the 1793 Imperial Ordinance, which was only selectively used in the past. However, China’s involvement has led to concerns about the purity of the spiritual process and the potential for political manipulation.

Meanwhile, the current Dalai Lama has stated repeatedly that his successor will be born in the “free world” outside China. He has also asserted that any successor chosen by China would not be recognised by Tibetans.

The Chinese government has promoted its own selection of a Panchen Lama, Gyaincain Norbu, which is not recognised by Tibetan Buddhists as the legitimate 11th Panchen Lama.

The Panchen Lama is considered one of the highest religious leaders in Tibetan Buddhism, and his disappearance is seen as a violation of religious freedom and a tool for Chinese control over Tibetan affairs.