Dalai Lama Declares Sole Authority Over Reincarnation, Rejects China's Interference (Image: X/ DalaiLama)
The 14th Dalai Lama has firmly stated that the responsibility for recognising his successor lies exclusively with the Gaden Phodrang Trust — the official institution representing his spiritual office.
This declaration draws a sharp line against China’s growing efforts to exert control over Tibetan Buddhist traditions, especially the centuries-old reincarnation process of the Dalai Lamas.
Statement Affirming the Continuation of the Institution of Dalai Lama
(Translated from the original Tibetan)
On 24 September 2011, at a meeting of the heads of Tibetan spiritual traditions, I made a statement to fellow Tibetans in and outside Tibet, followers of Tibetan… pic.twitter.com/VqtBUH9yDm
— Dalai Lama (@DalaiLama) July 2, 2025
The Tibetan spiritual leader, Tenzin Gyatso, made it known by sharing his videos that his future reincarnation will be identified solely within the sacred frameworks of Tibetan Buddhist custom, guided by the heads of the major schools and the lineage’s spiritual protectors, without any political interference.
He also recalled his long-standing position, first expressed in 1969 and reaffirmed formally in 2011, that the Tibetan people and the global Tibetan Buddhist community must decide the continuation of the Dalai Lama institution.
Also, read| CPI(M) Will Not Attend ‘Prana Pratishtha’ At Ram Mandir: Brinda Karat
Over the past decade and a half, the Dalai Lama has received heartfelt appeals from Tibetan communities across the world, including from within China, Mongolia, and Russia, urging him to ensure the continuation of his spiritual legacy. Responding to this call, he has now officially confirmed that the lineage will continue, but only on Tibetan Buddhist terms.
His Holiness the great 14th @DalaiLama of Tibet reaffirms that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue🙏🙏🙏
The Dalai Lama reading out his statement in བོད་སྐད་ at the 15th Tibetan Religious conference today.
The english translation is available to and accessible via… pic.twitter.com/uukCC7KOqF
— Tenzing Damdul བསྟན་འཛིན་དགྲ་འདུལ། (@dundhamdul) July 2, 2025
The announcement comes just days ahead of the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday on July 6, stating the urgency of clarifying the succession issue. A formal statement from him is expected to be read by Professor Samdhong Rinpoche and CTA political leader Penpa Tsering.
Also, read| Trump Says “Very Wealthy” Investors Ready To Buy TikTok
This bold move marks a direct challenge to Beijing’s strategy to impose its influence on Tibetan religious affairs and sets the stage for future confrontation over the legitimacy of the next Dalai Lama.
