Dalai Lama, now 90, says he will be reincarnated

DHARAMSHALA, India,— The Dalai Lama announced Wednesday that he will be reincarnated and that only the institution he founded has the exclusive authority to recognize his next incarnation, directly contradicting China’s claim that it must choose his successor.

Speaking ahead of his 90th birthday celebrations in Dharamshala, where he has lived since fleeing Tibet in 1959, the Dalai Lama addressed questions about the future of his position, a matter closely watched by the United States, India, and China due to its political and religious significance.

According to the Dalai Lama, the Gaden Phodrang Trust, a non-profit organization he established, will oversee the recognition of his reincarnation. “The institution of the Dalai Lama will continue,” he said in a video message shown to over 100 monks gathered in a library in Dharamshala, prompting applause.

He emphasized that the Trust, in consultation with leaders of Tibetan Buddhist traditions, holds exclusive authority over the search and recognition process, following past customs. “No one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter,” he added.

China’s government, however, maintains that it must approve the identity of the next Dalai Lama, using a ritual established during the Qing dynasty, which involves drawing lots from a golden urn. Beijing views the Dalai Lama as a separatist and has repeatedly insisted the successor must be chosen on Chinese soil.

The 14th Dalai Lama, whose full spiritual name is Jetsun Jamphel Ngawang Lobsang Yeshe Tenzin Gyatso—commonly shortened to Tenzin Gyatso—was born on July 6, 1935, in what is now Qinghai province. Originally named Lhamo Dhondup, he was recognized as the reincarnation of his predecessor at just two years old.

Since February 22, 1940, he has held the title of Dalai Lama and is a respected spiritual leader worldwide who received the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to promote peace and Tibetan self-determination.

Samdhong Rinpoche, a senior official of the Gaden Phodrang Trust, told reporters that the Dalai Lama is currently in good health and has not yet issued formal instructions regarding his successor. Rinpoche also noted that the next Dalai Lama may be of any gender and could come from any country, without restriction to Tibet.

Penpa Tsering, head of the Central Tibetan Administration — the Tibetan government-in-exile based in India — said the Dalai Lama is open to visiting Tibet again if his health allows and if China permits. This would be his first visit since 1959.

Tsering explained that China reportedly demanded the Dalai Lama remain in Tibet permanently if he returns, a condition the spiritual leader rejected. The Dalai Lama reportedly said that while he would consider visiting Tibet and China if permitted, he would not reside there due to the absence of freedom. He also linked this stance to his view that his reincarnation will be born “in a free world.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning reiterated Beijing’s position at a news conference, stating that the government must approve the successor of prominent religious figures like the Dalai Lama, following traditions dating back to imperial China. Mao added that China respects freedom of religious belief.

The Tibetan government-in-exile said it is seeking additional sources of funding after the United States eased some restrictions on financial support for Tibetans living abroad. The U.S. has expressed its support for Tibetan human rights and has stated opposition to China’s efforts to control the selection of the Dalai Lama’s successor.

(With files from Reuters | Agencies)