New Delhi: China, obviously rattled by the Dalai Lama’s statement on the selection of his successor by a Tibetan trust and India’s hands-off attitude, has reiterated that the spiritual leader’s is not the last word on the subject.
On Sunday, even as the world celebrated the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday, Xu Feihong, China’s ambassador to India wrote on X that he (the Dalai Lama) is only “one part” of the 700-year-old tradition.
He asserted that the spiritual leader doesn’t hold any authority to decide on matters related to the centuries-old reincarnation system.
“The reincarnation of Dalai Lamas neither began from him nor will end due to him,” Feihong wrote.
The envoy described the Living Buddha reincarnation practice as a “distinctive succession tradition of Tibetan Buddhism,” noting that it remains active and widespread, with over 1,000 reincarnation lineages currently thriving in Xizang (Tibet) and Tibetan communities across Sichuan, Yunnan, Gansu, and Qinghai.
A few days ago, during a gathering of Tibetan Buddhist leaders at Dharamshala, the Dalai Lama had clarified his succession plan for the first time. Speaking at the convention, the Dalai Lama outlined that the process to identify the next Dalai Lama will involve consultations with spiritual leaders, the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, and other key figures.
This move asserts his authority over the sacred tradition, directly challenging Beijing’s influence. Beijing had reacted quickly, insisting that any reincarnation must have its approval, reigniting tensions over the future of Tibetan spiritual leadership.
The Chinese government had referred to a 2007 regulation passed in Tibet, asserting state authority over the recognition of reincarnated lamas — a position rejected by the global Tibetan community that considers Chinese control of Lhasa a forceful occupation.
