Associated Press
Tokyo – The Dalai Lama says he may appoint a successor or rely on an election before his death in a break with tradition, a Japanese newspaper reported Tuesday, following recent orders that China must approve Tibet’s spiritual leaders.
According to centuries of Tibetan Buddhist tradition, the search for the reincarnation of spiritual leaders, or lamas – including the Dalai Lama – has been carried out by Tibetan monks following the leaders’ deaths.
“The Tibetan people would not support a successor selected by China after my death,” the Dalai Lama was quoted as saying on a trip to Japan by the Sankei Shimbun, a national daily.
“If the Tibetan people wish to uphold the Dalai Lama system, one possibility would be to select the next Dalai Lama while I am still living,” he was quoted as saying in an interview.
“Among options being considered are a democratic selection by the high monks of Tibetan Buddhism, or the appointment of a successor by myself,” he said.
The exiled leader also accused Chinese authorities of stepping up persecution of Tibetan monks and civilians, and called the region’s relations with the Chinese government “the most tense in recent years,” according to the newspaper.
China’s new order, which came into force in September, states that all future lama appointments related to Tibetan Buddhism “must get government approval,” according to the official Xinhua News Agency.
It also prevents any outside source from having “influence” in the selection process, the agency reported.
The order has led to concerns that the central government may forcibly select a pro-Beijing leader once the current popular Dalai Lama is dead.
China has ruled Tibet with a heavy hand since its Communist-led forces invaded in 1951, and it has accused the Buddhist monk of defying its sovereignty by pushing for Tibetan independence.
The Tibetan government-in-exile in Dharmsala, India, regards the Chinese order as an attempt to further repress and undermine the religious culture of the Himalayan region.
In 1995, the Dalai Lama chose 6-year-old Gendun Choekyi Nyima as the 11th Panchen Lama, the most exalted figure of Tibetan Buddhism after the Dalai Lama. The boy and his family disappeared soon after and have not been heard from since.
China’s communist-led government later named Gyaltsen Norbu as the 11th Panchen Lama and said Nyima and his family were being kept in a secret location for their protection.
The Dalai Lama says he wants “real autonomy” for Tibet, not independence. He has lived with followers in exile in India since fleeing Chinese soldiers in 1959.
He arrived in Japan last week for a nine-day visit. He has been snubbed by Japanese officials, who are working to improve relations with neighboring China.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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posted November 20, 2007 at 4:58 pm
“He has been snubbed by Japanese officials, who are working to improve relations with neighboring China.”
Aw, dang…I was kind of hoping nobody cared what the Chinese thought.
Now, from what I understand of the whole Dalai Lama thing, the idea of the current DL picking his successor doesn’t make sense. Isn’t the new DL supposed to be the reincarnation of the old one? That can’t happen if the current one is alive. (Not that I necessarily believe in that—I’m not a Buddhist—but it seems inconsistent.)
God bless.
posted November 20, 2007 at 6:42 pm
No matter how the next Dalai Lama is chosen, the Chinese won’t allow him to live in China. He will be exiled just like this man. The Chinese government has no right to “approve” the successor to this post.
And Japanese officials are ignoring him? Kissing up to the Chinese.
posted November 20, 2007 at 7:43 pm
The Dalai picked the llth Panchen Lama in 1995. The Chinese wouldn’t allow this and picked someone else. The boy and family picked by DL disappeared, and the Chinese government said they are being kept in a secret location to protect them. Who would they need to be protected from, except the Chinese government? Why didn’t they just put them in exile like the Dalai Lama? Does anyone know?
posted November 20, 2007 at 9:28 pm
My understanding is that the DL was not exiled by the Chinese, but had to flee the country himself after a failed revolution in Tibet. If the Chinese had a choice I’d bet the DL would either be in a jail cell or a grave by now; and, especially considering how much trouble he has caused them since leaving the country, it makes sense they don’t want another lama running around. I can’t help but wonder if that kid is really alive at all…
My long-term prediction: the DL will choose some sort of new successor, and the Chinese will choose their own, who will not be widely approved of by the Chinese. Over time, hopefully, the Chinese will let their control on Tibet slack, and at some point there will be a “real” DL in Tibet again, perhaps when the two claimants to the position die and a new one can be chosen.
God bless.
posted November 20, 2007 at 11:26 pm
OK! A zen election. The only people qualified are the ones who don;t want the job. I am all for non-campaign posters. maybe we can learn something here.
Joviality aside (“quickly, please”), I wish that some peace could come to Tibet. I still wonder what the Chinese fascination is with Tibet, other than keeping something someone else wants (how thoroughly juvenile!). I expect that most of the Chinese really could not care less who controls Tibet. So this is a leadership issue. I hope the DL can fnd a way to meet the needs of his people and placate the fools who insist on this level of control.