Dalai Lama’s Successor: Issues Involved
STORIES, ANALYSES, EXPERT VIEWS
The release of the Dalai Lama's new book titled 'Voice for the Voiceless: Over Seven Decades of Struggle with China for My Land and My People' on March 9 triggered a tough response from China. In the book, the XIVth Dalai Lama is categorical that the next Dalai Lama, his reincarnation, will be born in the ‘free world’.
With this, writes Jayadeva Ranade (President, Centre for China Analysis & Strategy) “the XIVth Dalai Lama dispelled speculation as to whether the institution of the Dalai Lama would continue and simultaneously made clear that Beijing will have no role in his reincarnation. To an extent, this will assuage concerns of many in the Tibetan community in India and abroad, who, conscious of the XIVth Dalai Lama's advancing age, are concerned about whether the succession will be smooth.”
China’s reaction
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacted promptly and said: ‘The Dalai Lama is a political exile who is engaged in anti-China separatist activities under the cloak of religion....On the Tibet issue, China's position is consistent and clear.’
Referring to the Chinese government's 'Regulations on Religious Affairs and Measures on the Management of the Reincarnation of Living Buddhas', it said: 'The reincarnation of Living Buddhas including the Dalai Lama must comply with Chinese laws and regulations as well as religious rituals and historical conventions, and follow the process that consists of search and identification in China, lot-drawing from a golden urn, and central government approval.’
Questions in the minds of the majority of Tibetans
There is a widespread feeling among the Tibetan diaspora, writes Ranade that China will create problems, including attempts to fragment the Tibetan community in exile.
“There are three main questions in the minds of the majority of Tibetans. These are: Whether the XIVth Dalai Lama will reincarnate and, if so, where; whether he will make a clear break from tradition and choose to be reincarnated as someone other than a Tibetan or as a woman; whether he will select a suitable young lama as his emanation; and whether he will discontinue the tradition of the Dalai Lama and dissolve the institution.” Each of these decisions will have repercussions.
There are reports that Tibetans, at least in India, intend to write to the Dalai Lama asking him to announce plans for his succession soon. This will be important to prevent China from introducing complications in the process and putting up a rival, or attempting to prevent the exiled Tibetan community from selecting the reincarnation.
China's effort will, of course, be to impose their choice of reincarnation on the Tibetans inside China and on the wider exiled Tibetan community. The Chinese have already done this with Gyaltsen Norbu, who they nominated as the XIth Panchen Lama. “A lot will depend on where the reincarnation is found,” writes Ranade. Unconfirmed indicators suggest that the Chinese communist authorities may be uncertain about the loyalties of Gyaltsen Norbu.
Trump administration has revoked all grants to the Central Tibetan Administration
Meanwhile, the decision by the Trump administration to revoke all grants, including the funding of $1,16,00,000 to the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), at this time has caused a degree of consternation in the community. It is to be seen whether it is restored after a three-month review. “It would be a definite lever in the hands of the US to pressure the Chinese, but if not restored, it could be used to negotiate and compromise with the Chinese,” according to Ranade.
