Dalai Lama Declares Sole Authority Over Reincarnation, Rejects China's Interference

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.

Dalai Lama Edited by
Dalai Lama Declares Sole Authority Over Reincarnation, Rejects China's Interference

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.

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.

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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.


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.

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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.