Dalai Lama, reaching the milestone of 90 years, expresses his aspiration for a prolonged life span on Sunday. - Dalai Lama marks his 90th birthday on Sunday, expressing a wish for a longer life.
The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, celebrated his 90th birthday on Sunday, marking a significant milestone in the life of the revered spiritual leader. Known for his universal compassion and peaceful advocacy for Tibetan freedom, the Dalai Lama has made it clear that he intends to continue serving "sentient beings" and the Buddha Dharma in his future decades.
However, a departure from tradition may be on the horizon regarding the succession process. The Dalai Lama has hinted at naming his successor while still alive and has emphasized that the next Dalai Lama will not be born under the control of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), instead being born in a "free world" outside of Tibet.
Traditionally, the Dalai Lama's succession involves a spiritual process that begins after the death of the incumbent Dalai Lama. Senior monks and high-ranking officials within the Tibetan Buddhist community interpret various signs and consult oracles to identify the reincarnation. This process typically involves a search across the Tibetan region for a child who exhibits qualities similar to those of the previous Dalai Lama.
The Chinese government, which has historically sought to control the reincarnation process, has criticized the Dalai Lama's unprecedented approach to succession, arguing that it breaks with tradition. Beijing insists on having the final say in the succession process, as per their method for recognizing the reincarnation of Tibetan Buddhist leaders, which involves a process overseen by the Chinese government.
The Dalai Lama, who appeared healthy during a ceremony in McLeod Ganj on Saturday, confirmed that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue after his death. He led a ceremony where prayers were chanted for his long life, reflecting the fervent hope of his followers that he will continue to guide them for many more years.
The Dalai Lama has been living in exile in India since 1959, along with thousands of other Tibetans, following the bloody suppression of the Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule. Despite being labelled a dangerous "separatist" by China, the Dalai Lama is respected worldwide for his peaceful approach and his unwavering commitment to the cause of Tibetan freedom.
[1] "Dalai Lama says he will name his successor while still alive," BBC News, 2020. [2] "China's stance on the Dalai Lama's succession," Tibetan Review, 2020.
In light of the upcoming 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama on Sunday, the question of his successor and the traditional succession process is a topic of ongoing discussions. Despite the Chinese government's objections to the Dalai Lama's plans to name his successor while still alive, the spiritual leader has confirmed that he intends to do so, with the hope that the next Dalai Lama will be born in a free world outside of Tibet. This potential departure from tradition may lead to a future that differs significantly from the past, adding a political dimension to the general-news conversation about the Dalai Lama's succession.
