Dalai Lama insists process to find his successor must follow traditional Tibetan Buddhist practices; China differs

(RNS, 02-07-25) Ahead of his 90th birthday this month, the 14th Dalai Lama, the highest spiritual leader of Tibet and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has reiterated that the process to find his successor must follow traditional Tibetan Buddhist practices.

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Traditionally, a child believed to be the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama is identified and educated to prepare him for the role.

However, there is a concern among several Tibetan Buddhist monks over the potential interference of China in the selection of 15th Dalai Lama.

As if to confirm the concern of the Tibetan monks, the Chinese state media and officials have asserted that Beijing will determine the next Dalai Lama.

"The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, the Panchen Lama (second only to Dalai Lama) and other great Buddhist figures must be chosen by drawing lots from a golden urn, and approved by the central government," Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told news agency AFP.