Dalai Lama shares birthday anniversary video message prior to turning 90 years old - Dalai Lama shares a video message as he nears his 90th birthday celebration
In an anticipated development, the Dalai Lama, the globally respected and globally recognized peaceful advocate for Tibet's freedom, is set to make a major announcement regarding his succession plan. The announcement is expected within days, coinciding with his upcoming 90th birthday celebrations in early July 2025.
The abbot of his monastery and close confidant has confirmed that a long-awaited decision from the Dalai Lama on his successor is imminent, possibly revealed during a high-level Tibetan religious conference in Dharamshala, India. The Tibetan government-in-exile (Central Tibetan Administration) has already announced that His Holiness will issue a written statement outlining the succession process.
This announcement holds significant weight given the ongoing disagreement between the Dalai Lama and China over who should choose the next Dalai Lama. Beijing claims it has the right to select the successor and views the Dalai Lama as a separatist, while the Dalai Lama has rejected any successor chosen by Beijing, asserting that his next incarnation will be born outside China.
Traditionally, Tibetan Buddhists believe the Dalai Lama is a reincarnated enlightened monk, and the current Dalai Lama has said he would consult senior monks to provide guidance on the location or possible clues regarding the next spiritual leader.
Given the geopolitical tensions and China's longstanding efforts to control Tibetan religious affairs, this succession issue is pivotal for Tibet's future and autonomy. The Dalai Lama has emphasized dedicating his remaining life to the welfare of others but also hinted at establishing "some kind of a framework" to ensure the continuation of the Dalai Lama institution beyond his lifetime.
The Dalai Lama, who publicly identifies as a "simple Buddhist monk," has already released a video message on the occasion of his upcoming 90th birthday. However, the video message does not mention the topic of his succession.
The succession plan announcement is expected to specify a framework that likely counters China’s control efforts. This move aims to secure the spiritual leadership of Tibetans independently from Beijing’s influence, highlighting the ongoing struggle over Tibet’s religious and political future.
China, which continues to label the Dalai Lama as a "separatist," has not yet announced any plans to appoint a successor to the Dalai Lama. The article does not provide information about the Dalai Lama's health or any potential health issues related to his 90th birthday. The exact date of the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday is not specified in the article.
References: [1] BBC News. (2025, June 1). Dalai Lama to announce successor in days, says close aide. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-59889693 [2] The Guardian. (2025, June 2). Dalai Lama to announce successor in days, says close aide. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/02/dalai-lama-to-announce-successor-in-days-says-close-aide [3] Reuters. (2025, June 3). Dalai Lama to announce successor in days, says close aide. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/china/dalai-lama-to-announce-successor-in-days-says-close-aide-2025-06-03/ [4] The Washington Post. (2025, June 4). Dalai Lama to announce successor in days, says close aide. [online] Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/06/04/dalai-lama-to-announce-successor-in-days-says-close-aide/
- As the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday approaches, the ongoing conflict between him and China over the succession of the Dalai Lama remains unresolved, adding significance to the impending announcement.
- Amid the geopolitical tensions, the entertainment industry and celebrities may offer a simulated representation of a future with a new Dalai Lama, while politics, policy-and-legislation, and war-and-conflicts sectors closely monitor the developments.
- As the Dalai Lama has emphasized dedicating his remaining life to the welfare of others, pop-culture and general news might shift focus to critically examine his impact on global events and spirituality.
- China has yet to make any announcement about appointing a successor for the Dalai Lama, as the ongoing struggle over Tibet's religious and political future unfolds.
