The choice of the successor of Dalai Lama, a central figure of Tibetan Buddhism and a symbol of resistance to Chinese occupation, is involved in mysticism and geopolitical disputes. With the current Dalai Lama turning 90, interest is growing – and tension – who will follow him.
Current And laureate with the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989, turns 90 to July 6. Its influence goes beyond the boundaries of Tibet and Buddhism itself, being seen as a global symbol of peace and resistance.
The succession of Dalai Lama is a theme that goes far beyond the religious sphere. It also matters to China, India and the United States, all with strategic interests in the Himalayan region.
How was the current Dalai Lama chosen?
According to the Tibetan tradition, the soul of a mud reincarnates in a child’s body, which is then identified by spiritual signs.
The current Dalai Lama, the 14th, was born Lhamo Dhandup in 1935, in a family of farmers in northeastern Tibet. At the age of two, he was identified as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama, after a group of monks sent by the Tibetan government observed several signs, namely when the child identified objects from the 13th Dalai Lama and said: “It’s mine, it’s mine.”
In 1940, Lhamo Dhandup was taken to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, the capital of the present autonomous region of Tibet, where he was officially enthroned as Buddhists’ spiritual leader.
Why is the succession discussed?
Usually the process of choosing a new Dalai Lama only begins after the death of the previous one.
“Generally, while a mud is alive, there is no conversation about its reincarnation. This conversation only happens when the mud dies. But the discussion is happening at this time mainly because the Chinese government is interfering with the reincarnation of its holiness the Dalai Lama,” he told Reuters Thupten NGODUP, the Tibetan State, which will participate in the succession process.
Current after a failed revolt against the Chinese rule of the Communist regime of Mao Tsé-Tung.
In the book “Voice for the Voice”, published in March 2025, said that his successor would not be born in China, but in a country where there is religious freedom.
“If my successor has to continue my work, it cannot be born in a place where the Tibetan people are not free,” he said.
Who can choose the next Dalai Lama?
The Tibetan Parliament in exile, headquartered in In northern India, it established a system to ensure the continuity of the work of the exiled government and spiritual leadership.
A established by Dalai Lama in Zurich in 2015, is in charge of finding and recognizing the new reincarnation.
What is the position of China?
China claims the right to approve the choice of the next Dalai Lama, evoking old practices such as the use of the so -called “gold urn” instituted in the eighteenth century during the Qing Dynasty, which would have legitimized previous reincarnations.
Chinese authorities claim that Dalai Lama’s reincarnation must be decided according to national laws and that any reincarnation should be born within the borders of China.
Tibetans see this requirement as an attempt at political control.
“The interference of the Chinese government in the reincarnation process is very ridiculous because the government itself is an atheist. It does not believe in religion. And the process of reincarnation is predominantly religious,” Reuters Thupten Ngodup told Reuters.
Beijing classifies Dalai Lama as a “separatist” and prohibits any public manifestation of devotion or display of his image.
In March 2025, the China Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed that Dalai Lama is a “political exile” without legitimacy to represent the Tibetans.
China denies having suppressed the rights of the Tibetan people and states that its government ended servitude and brought prosperity to a late region.
What is the role of India and the US?
In addition to Dalai Lama himself, India currently welcomes about 100,000 Tibetans in exile that are free to study and work there.
Its presence in Indian territory confers the new additional influence in a region where rivalry with China is growing.
The United States has also reiterated support for the Tibetan cause. Several American officials have said that they will not accept any attempted Beijing to control Dalai Lama’s succession.
In 2024, then -President Joe Biden signed a law that pressures the Chinese government to negotiate with Tibetan representatives in exile with a view to greater autonomy for Tibet.
