Dalai Lama marks his 90th birthday with a peace prayer, demonstrating his continued dedication to kindness and the unity of humanity. - "Compassionate Soul and Pursuit of Peace": Dalai Lama Marks 90th Birthday with Prayer for Harmony
The authority to identify the 15th Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people, is a matter of great importance and contention. According to the Dalai Lama himself and the Gaden Phodrang Trust, the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the sole authority lies with this entity. The Trust is responsible for conducting the search and recognition process according to Tibetan Buddhist tradition, consulting the heads of various Tibetan Buddhist traditions and oath-bound Dharma Protectors connected to the Dalai Lama lineage.
However, China's stance is sharply opposed to this Tibetan position. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the central government of the People's Republic of China assert that they hold the exclusive authority to name Tibetan religious leaders, including the Dalai Lama. This claim is based on Chinese laws, which give them control over the reincarnation process.
This clash over succession is a central point of political and religious contention, with significant implications for Tibet’s spiritual future and geopolitical relations, especially with India where the Tibetan government-in-exile is based.
The Dalai Lama's 90th birthday was recently celebrated in McLeod Ganj, his home in exile since 1959. The ceremony was attended by Hollywood star Richard Gere, who praised the Dalai Lama for embodying selflessness, perfect love, compassion, and wisdom. The spiritual leader urged the importance of achieving inner peace and showing compassion to everyone.
Meanwhile, discussions about the Dalai Lama's potential successor are already underway. The Dalai Lama has stated that the 600-year-old institution of the spiritual leader of the Tibetans should continue after his death. However, Beijing has declared that the next spiritual leader must be approved by the central government.
The U.S. has also expressed its support for the Tibetan people. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the U.S. is determined to promote the respect for "the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Tibetans." Former U.S. Presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama also sent messages to the Dalai Lama, praising his efforts in promoting peace, freedom, and dignity.
The situation remains complex, with both sides holding firm to their positions. The authority to identify the 15th Dalai Lama will undoubtedly be a crucial factor in shaping the future of Tibet and its relations with China and the international community.
[1] "Dalai Lama's Office to Identify Next Reincarnation," BBC News, July 2025. [2] "China's Claim on the Dalai Lama's Successor," The New York Times, July 2025. [3] "Tibetan Buddhist Tradition and the Dalai Lama's Reincarnation," The Guardian, July 2025. [4] "China's Ambassador on the Dalai Lama's Succession," The Hindu, July 2025.
- The Dalai Lama expressed his aspirations for the 600-year-old institution to continue after his death, voicing his hope that the 15th Dalai Lama will be found through the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, just as his predecessors were.
- Meanwhile, Hollywood star Richard Gere, in attendance at the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday celebration, eloquently praised the spiritual leader, describing him as a unique embodiment of one good heart, selflessness, love, and compassion.
- Amid the ongoing disagreement over the identification of the next Dalai Lama, Beijing has made it clear that they intend to have final say in the matter, asserting that the next spiritual leader must be approved by the central government.
- In a bid to demonstrate their support for Tibet's struggle, both the U.S. government and prominent celebrities, such as Richard Gere, continue to express their admiration for the Dalai Lama's tireless work advocating for peace, love, and compassion, not only on Sunday prayer days but also every day in their respective fields, be it politics, policy-and-legislation, war-and-conflicts, entertainment, or general-news.
