Successor to be from free world: Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama, who will turn 90 on July 6, has said that his successor as the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism will be born in the "free world", in an apparent reference to areas outside China, and urged his followers to reject any successor chosen by Beijing.

- Dar Ovais

The Dalai Lama, who will turn 90 on July 6, has said that his successor as the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism will be born in the "free world", in an apparent reference to areas outside China, and urged his followers to reject any successor chosen by Beijing.

In his latest book, "Voice for the Voiceless", which was released in the US and the UK on Tuesday, the Dalai Lama has also asserted that the fight for Tibetan freedom will continue "no matter what", even after his death.

"Since the purpose of a reincarnation is to carry on the work of the predecessor, the new Dalai Lama will be born in the free world so that the traditional mission of the Dalai Lama — that is, to be the voice for universal compassion, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, and the symbol of Tibet embodying the aspirations of the Tibetan people — will continue," the 89-year-old spiritual leader writes in the book.