Succession is an especially sensitive theme among young Tibetans. “It is absurd that an atheist state like China wants to appoint a spiritual leader,” said Kunga Tashi, a 23 -year -old engineer based in Bangalore. “It’s clearly a political issue,” he said
Dalai Lama’s words are expected with expectation by the Tibetans, as the spiritual leader celebrates 90 years next month, a date that should take the opportunity to launch clues about the delicate question of succession.
The celebrations ripped on Monday in McLeod Ganj, in the himalay counteraelains on the side of India, where the Tibetan leader has been exiled since 1959, after fleeing Chinese repression in Tibet, the France-Presse news agency (AFP) wrote.
The highlight of the celebrations is expected on Wednesday, when the Laureado with the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 is expected to address a message to the Tibetan community. Nothing has been anticipated about the content of the intervention, but Dalai Lama has already indicated that he intends to take the opportunity to address the future of his position.
Born in 1935, Tenzin Gyatso was recognized at the age of two as the 14th Reincarnation of the Lama Dalai, in accordance with the Buddhist tradition. In 2011, he abdicated all political responsibilities, transferring power to a democratically elected Tibetan government.
“While physically and mentally fit, I consider it important to establish the rules to designate the next Dalai Lama,” said the spiritual leader in 2011. “People should decide whether the cycle of reincarnations should continue,” he said.
Although the current holder suggested that there may be no successor, most Tibetans defend continuity.
“The cycle of reincarnation of his holiness should continue,” said Sakina Batt, an former Tibetan employee who lives in Nepal, cited by AFP. “The future of Tibetans depends on their unity and resilience,” he said.
“This desire is not only shared by the Tibetans inside or outside the Tibet, but also by all those who, in the world, have linked to Dalai Lama,” added Dawa Tashi, an independence activist who spent several years in Chinese arrests.
Many Tibetans fear that China – which attached Tibet in 1950 – try to appoint a successor controlled by Beijing. “The Chinese will choose another Dalai Lama, it is evident,” anticipated the translator of the current spiritual leader, Thupten Jinpa. “It will be ridiculous, but they will do so,” he added.
The memory of the precedent of 1995 remains alive: this year, China detained a six -year -old child recognized by Dalai Lama as Panchen Lama, the second figure of Tibetan Buddhism, and named another boy of his choice, widely rejected by Tibetans as “false panchen.”
Dalai Lama categorically excluded the possibility of its successor to be designated by Beijing. “It will necessarily be born in the free world,” he said.
Succession is an especially sensitive theme among young Tibetans. “It is absurd that an atheist state like China wants to appoint a spiritual leader,” said Kunga Tashi, a 23 -year -old engineer based in Bangalore. “It’s clearly a political issue,” he said.
“Today, many young Tibetans prioritize personal success over the collective struggle,” lamented Geshema Tenzin Kunsel, a religious resident in Dharamshala, headquarters of the Tibetan government in exile. “I worry about our future without it,” he said.
Among its supporters, the Dalai Lama is expected to clarify the succession process and ensure the continuity of the institution. “If we haven’t reached a free tibet, we’ve been closer thanks to their holiness,” said Sonam Topgyal, a college student in Nova Delhi. “With our democratic government in exile and the support of India, I believe we will overcome this transition,” he said.
