2025-07-02T05:45:00Z

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The Dalai Lama has made a significant announcement regarding the future of the Dalai Lama institution, asserting that it will persist beyond his lifetime. He emphasized that his Gaden Phodrang trust holds the exclusive authority to recognize his future reincarnation. This declaration comes at a pivotal time, as the 14th Dalai Lama has previously expressed uncertainty about whether there should be a successor after him. The succession process is expected to be highly contentious, particularly between the Tibetan community in exile and the Chinese government.

In a carefully anticipated statement delivered at a gathering of the Tibetan government-in-exile on Wednesday, the Dalai Lama expressed his belief that the decision concerning his role’s future should rest with the Tibetan people. He revealed that he has received numerous messages from Tibetans residing in Tibet, all echoing the desire for the institution of the Dalai Lama to continue. Responding to these appeals, he affirmed, “I am confirming that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue.”

As he approaches his 90th birthday on July 6, the Dalai Lama convened a meeting with eleven senior Buddhist monks in Dharamshala, India, the center of the Tibetan government-in-exile. This meeting took place ahead of a three-day religious conference culminating on Sunday. During his address, the Dalai Lama highlighted the importance of a clearly defined process for recognizing his successor, referencing a statement issued on September 24, 2011. According to this statement, the responsibility of identifying the next Dalai Lama rests solely with members of the Gaden Phodrang Trust and the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

He further elaborated that the trust should engage with various leaders of Tibetan Buddhist traditions along with the reliable oath-bound Dharma Protectors who have historical ties to the lineage of the Dalai Lamas. “They should accordingly carry out the procedures of search and recognition in accordance with past tradition,” he maintained, reiterating that no other entity has the authority to interfere in this significant matter.

The Dalai Lama has consistently asserted that his successor will be born outside of China, urging his followers to reject any candidate put forth by the Chinese authorities. The Chinese government, however, claims exclusive rights to appoint the next Dalai Lama. In anticipation of the Dalai Lama's statement, various Chinese media outlets have accused him of attempting to “manipulate” the process of reincarnation. The Communist Party-controlled Global Times criticized him, stating that his intent is to undermine the traditional religious practices that have governed the Dalai Lama succession for centuries.