A Spiritual Crossroads: The Dalai Lama at 90

The Buddhist world stands at a spiritual and political crossroads as discussions intensify around the future succession of the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso — a global icon of non-violence and Tibetan leader who is 90 years old this weekend.

However, the question of who becomes the 15th Dalai Lama extends way beyond the spiritual significance, with Beijing eager to control the centuries-old reincarnation process and thus the future of Tibet.

A Role Rooted in Rebirth

The Dalai Lama is, in Tibetan Buddhism, believed to be a tulku — a reincarnated being who chooses to be reborn to serve others. The lineage began in the 15th century, and the current Dalai Lama, the 14th in this line, was born Lhamo Thondup in 1935 in Amdo (now part of Qinghai Province in China) and identified as the reincarnation when he was two years old.

Dalai Lamas have served as both spiritual and temporal leaders of Tibet. That part of the role ended in 2011 when the current Dalai Lama passed his political power to an elected Tibetan exile government based in India.

The 14th Dalai Lama.

The question of who will identify the 15th Dalai Lama has been a question of serious debate in Tibet. The Dalai Lama himself has this week confirmed that the Gaden Phodrang Trust will in due course choose his successor. He has also suggested that the next Dalai Lama could be found in the “free world” outside of Tibet — and could even be a woman.

Traditionally, the search for the Dalai Lama’s next reincarnation begins with the death of the current one. Aged monks consult oracles and investigate every corner of the region for a sign, or a small child that shows the requisite qualities to lead the Buddhist world. The process can take some time.

The 8th Century Samye Buddhist monastery, southeast of the capital Lhasa, has been rebuilt several times/ image Wikimedia

Beijing Wants Control

Meanwhile, the Chinese government has made it clear it intends to play a central role, and that the next reincarnation must be found somewhere in mainland China.

In 2007, Beijing passed laws asserting its authority over all reincarnations of Tibetan lamas, positioning the process as a matter of national sovereignty.

Beijing has also used the Panchen Lama process to select its own candidate for the top role. The Panchen Lama is second only to the Dalai Lama, and is charged with selecting the appropriate individual to continue in the top position.

In 1995 the Dalai Lama named Gedhun Choekyi Nyima as the 11th Panchen Lama; however, Beijing rejected this, installing their own selection.

To select a new Dalai Lama Beijing claims it will use the "Golden Urn" lottery system, a Qing-era practice used historically by imperial China to select high-ranking lamas (including the Dalai Lama).

The urn holds names of potential reincarnations and is used to draw lots — a method now cited by the CCP to give legitimacy to their selection.

The current Dalai Lama continues to be described as a “separatist” by Beijing, and an obstacle to the Chinese Communist Party's desire to take some sort of control of Tibetan Buddhism.

For the last three decades Beijing has conducted what’s called “patriotic education” in Tibetan monasteries, banned images of the Dalai Lama, and discouraged international support for a ‘Free Tibet” campaign.

But for Tibetans in exile, a new Dalai Lama appointed by Beijing is unacceptable.

Many of those in exile live in Dharamshala, a town in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, in Northern India.

Dharamshala is currently the host of Dalai Lama's milestone 90th birthday celebrations which began on Monday, his birthday according to the Tibetan lunar calendar.

Celebrations wrap up on July 6th, his official birthday, and have attracted visitors from around the world, including a number of Indian government ministers.

The Buddhist Mandala of Avalokiteshvara – the deity of compassion– is a physical manifestation of the heavenly realm of Potala/ image Wikimedia

Tibet’s government-in-exile, the Central Tibetan Administration, is based in Dharamshala, and has started initial work on a succession process independent of Chinese interference, working with senior lamas from across the Himalayan region.

Whether the world will in the next few years be presented with two Dalai Lamas — one chosen in exile, one appointed by Beijing — remains a distinct possibility.

Asia Media Centre