Dalai Lama celebrates 90th birthday, pledges continued resistance against China's rule.
In a series of recent developments, a significant statement was issued by the Dalai Lama on July 2, 2025, affirming the continuation of the institution of the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama referenced a previous statement from 2011 and reiterated that despite earlier deliberations about whether the institution should continue, he has received widespread encouragement to maintain the lineage. This encouragement came from Tibetan spiritual leaders, members of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, Buddhist communities across Asia, including Tibetans inside Tibet, Mongolia, Russia, and mainland China[1].
Meanwhile, in South Korea, Korea's largest Buddhist sect has criticized DP lawmakers' comments on Tibet, but the nature of the criticism and the identity of the DP lawmakers were not specified in the available reports. No further details about the Indian pilgrims' visit to Tibet were provided.
In a separate development, China has agreed to allow Indian pilgrims to visit Tibet this summer, but no specific information about the number of pilgrims or the exact dates of their visit was provided.
A more sombre note was struck as a deadly earthquake occurred in Tibet, causing casualties, although the exact number of casualties remains unknown. In response, Korea's acting president has sent condolences to Xi Jinping over the Tibet earthquake.
In conclusion, while the nature of the criticism by Korea's largest Buddhist sect and the DP lawmakers' comments on Tibet remain unclear, the affirmation of the Dalai Lama institution and the agreement for Indian pilgrims to visit Tibet this summer are positive developments. The tragic earthquake in Tibet, however, serves as a stark reminder of the challenges that still lie ahead.
[1] Source: Dalai Lama's official statement on the continuation of the institution of the Dalai Lama.
- Diplomacy between South Korea and China appears to be impacted by politics, as Korea's largest Buddhist sect has critical remarks towards DP lawmakers' comments on Tibet, yet the specifics of the criticism and the involved lawmakers remain elusive.
- The somber event of a war-and-conflict - an earthquake in Tibet - has led to an unknown number of casualties, while policy-and-legislation developments include the agreement for Indian pilgrims to visit Tibet this summer, a positive yet vague step towards harmony.
- In the realm of general news, the Dalai Lama's affirmation of his institution's continuation continues to echo in the political arena, gaining support from Tibetan spiritual leaders, members of the exiled parliament, Buddhist communities, and even unexpected voices in mainland China.
