Exiled spiritual leader Dalai Lama on Wednesday said the 600-year-old institution would continue after his death and it would choose his future reincarnation, effectively excluding China from any role over appointing
the 15th Dalai Lama. Beijing, however, rejected the Dalai Lama’s succession plan, insisting that any future heir must receive its seal of approval, adding a new chapter to Tibetan Buddhism’s decades-long struggle with the Chinese ruling Communist Party.
The Gaden Phodrang Trust was founded by the Office of Dalai Lama in 2015. The statement made by the 14th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso, who is also called Lhama Thondup, on May 21, 2025, was released by his office on Wednesday. A 5.57-minute video of his speech in Tibetan was also released.
The statement, released just four days before his 90th birthday, has far-reaching implications for his millions of Buddhist followers worldwide. It also came as a message to Beijing, which has long sought to control Tibetan religious traditions to tighten its grip over the region.
Earlier, the Dalai Lama had maintained that the Tibet’s most sacred tradition could be wound up, or his successor could be a woman or someone born outside China. Beijing, however, which considers Lhama Thondup as a separatist, had stated that Beijing would approve the identity of the successor through a centuries-old ritual. The week-long celebration to mark the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday commenced at Tsuglagkhang, the main temple at McLeodganj near Dharamshala, on June 30. The occasion is significant, as the Dalai Lama had said in 2011 that at the age of 90, he would decide whether the institution would continue or not.
“I am affirming that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue and I hereby reiterate that the Gaden Phodrang Trust has the sole authority to recognise the future reincarnation. No one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter,” the statement released on Wednesday said.
During a meeting of the heads of Tibetan spiritual traditions on September 24, 2011, the Dalai Lama had stated that “as far back as in 1969, I had made clear that people concerned should decide whether the Dalai Lama’s reincarnations should continue in future.” He had stated that when he would be 90 years old, he would consult the high Lamas of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions, the Tibetan public, and other people who follow Tibetan Buddhism to evaluate whether the institution of the Dalai Lama should continue or not.
“I have received messages through various channels from Tibetans and Tibetan Buddhists living in other parts of the world requesting that the institution of the Dalai Lama should continue. I am affirming that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue,” his statement said.
The spiritual leader added that the responsibility to recognise the reincarnation rests with the members of Gaden Phodrang Trust, who will consult heads of various Tibetan Buddhist traditions and the reliable oath-bound Dharma Protectors linked to the lineage of the Dalai Lamas. “They should carry out the procedures of search and recognition in accordance with the tradition,” the statement added.
The Dalai Lama’s announcement is set to intensify tensions with Beijing. “The Dalai Lama’s reincarnation must follow the principles of domestic recognition, the ‘Golden Urn’ process, and approval by the central government, in line with religious traditions and laws,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a media briefing while responding to the Dalai Lama’s announcement.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, however, welcomed the reaffirmation by the 14th Dalai Lama on the continuation of the institution of the Dalai Lama saying this decision brings immense joy and spiritual reassurance to millions across the Himalayan region and the world. Khandu said on behalf of the people of Arunachal Pradesh, especially the Monpa community and the entire Buddhist fraternity, he expresses community’s heartfelt gratitude to the Dalai Lama.
The Dalai Lama, who fled to India in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in Lhasa, has since lived in exile along with thousands of Tibetans. While China brands him a separatist and a rebel, the Dalai Lama remains for many a global icon of non-violence, compassion and the Tibetan struggle to preserve their identity.
The successor issue of the Dalai Lama, who has made Dharamshala his “adopted” home is also expected to flare up fresh tensions between Beijing and Washington as China’s policy comes in conflict with the US Tibetan Policy and Support Act of 2020, which reaffirmed America’s steadfast support for the Dalai Lama and Tibetan Buddhism.
The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama, the second-high priest of Tibetan Buddhism, has to go through the centuries-old tradition of the Golden Urn law procedure started by the 18th century Qing dynasty, Mao said.
The current 14th Dalai Lama himself was recognised after his predecessor’s death following traditional rituals, but his recognition was granted directly by the then-central government, exempting him from the Golden Urn process, Mao said. She also spoke about how the traditional ceremony was incorporated in 2007 into China’s official regulations, along with a clause explicitly banning interference by overseas individuals and parties.
Significantly, the question and Mao’s reply related to the Dalai Lama’s succession plan was conspicuously missing from the official transcript of the media briefing posted on the Chinese Foreign Ministry website on Wednesday. Mao also defended the “sinicisation” of Tibetan Buddhism and other religions under the guidelines issued by Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“I believe that sinicisation of religion is not about restricting religious practice; rather, all religions must adapt to the social, cultural and historical context of the country. Tibetan Buddhism in China is a prime example of a religion that has integrated Chinese characteristics, exemplifying the process of sinicisation,” Mao said.
In New Delhi, China’s Ambassador to India Xu Feihong said the practice of Living Buddha reincarnation has continued for over 700 years and has formed rigorous religious rituals and historical conventions. “The 14th Dalai Lama himself was searched for in strict accordance with religious rituals and historical conventions after the passing of the 13th Dalai Lama, and enthroned after being granted exemption from the lottery with the then central government’s approval,” he posted on X. He said the government of China implements a policy of freedom of religious belief.
“It protects the tradition of reincarnation of Living Buddhas in accordance with the law. The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama must follow the process that consists of search and identification in China, lot-drawing from the Golden Urn, and central government approval, and comply with religious rituals and historical conventions as well as Chinese laws and regulations,” he added.
The Dalai Lama is revered by the vast majority of over six million Tibetans as a living manifestation of Chenrezig, the Buddhist god of compassion. He is regarded as the most consequential spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism as unlike his predecessors he had to confront the atheist regime headed by the Communist Party of China.
A commentary on the Dalai Lama’s succession carried by state-run Xinhua news agency Tuesday ruled out official recognition without proper rituals. Any so-called “reincarnation” that bypasses traditional religious rituals, whether conducted within or outside the Chinese territory, lacks religious legitimacy and will by no means be recognised by Tibetan Buddhist followers, it said.
Notably ahead of the much-expected announcement by the Dalai Lama, China-appointed Panchen Lama, the second most important Buddhist monk in Tibet after the Dalai Lama, met President Xi here on June 6 and swore his loyalty to the ruling Communist Party.
Meeting the Panchen Lama, Xi asked him to make greater contributions to promoting ethnic unity and religious harmony, as well as the stability, development and progress in the Tibet Autonomous Region. Xi also asked him to make continued efforts to promote the “sinicisation of religion”.
Since he came to power in 2012, Xi has been calling for the “sinicisation” of all religions in the country, including Buddhism and Islam, to re-orient them to function under the guidance of the CPC, which ideologically remained atheist.
The 35-year-old Panchen Lama was appointed by China at the age of five in 1995, ousting the Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, who was chosen as the 11th Panchen Lama by the Dalai Lama. Beijing has in the past accused the Dalai Lama of indulging in “separatist” activities and trying to split Tibet and considers him as a divisive figure.
The Nobel Peace Prize-winning spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism has, however, insisted that he is not seeking independence but “genuine autonomy for all Tibetans living in the three traditional provinces of Tibet” under the “Middle-Way approach”. The Chinese government held nine rounds of talks with the Dalai Lama’s representatives from 2002 to 2010, without any concrete outcome. No talks were held on record after Xi took over power in 2012.
In the talks, the Tibetan side pitched for genuine autonomy for the Tibetan people in line with the Dalai Lama’s middle-way policy. But China consistently rejected his autonomy plan, stating that it covered vast stretches of the Himalayan region beyond the current Tibet Autonomous Region.