Chennai, India – The Dalai Lama said Wednesday (December 17) the movement he has led for nearly five decades should now be guided by the prime minister of the Tibetan government-in-exile.
“I have grown old and already taken semi-retirement. It is better if I retire completely and get out of the way of the Tibetan movement,” he told reporters in Dharamsala, India, where he has lived since fleeing Tibet in 1959.
“The future course of the Tibetan movement will be decided by the elected government under Prime Minister Samdhong Rinpoche,” the 73-year-old Buddhist leader added. His complete retirement would strengthen democracy in Tibet, the Dalai Lama said.
The Nobel Peace Prize winner’s remarks came a month after a key conclave of nearly 600 exiled Tibetan leaders. The Tibetan exiles reaffirmed the Dalai Lama’s “middle way” of seeking greater cultural autonomy for Tibet while remaining under Chinese rule. China calls the Buddhist leader a “splittist” and says the Himalayan region has historically been part of China.
The Dalai Lama had said in November he was not thinking of retirement and was committed to the cause of Tibet “till death.” He said at that time: “There is no point or question of retirement. It is my moral responsibility to lead the Tibetans till my death. My whole body and flesh is Tibetan.”
By Achal Narayanan
Religion News Service
Copyright 2008 Religion News Service. All rights reserved. No part of this transmission may be distributed or reproduced without written permission.
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posted December 18, 2008 at 7:55 pm
I guess if Bret Farve can have ambiguity about retirement, then so can the Dalai Lama. Take it easy Dalai!
posted December 18, 2008 at 8:20 pm
Whatever the Dalai Lama decides to do will be the right thing. Just as long as he keeps giving us his good sense in his writings. Peace be with you.
posted December 19, 2008 at 9:30 am
okay…this sounds ominous…i am relying on his higher sense of integrity and holiness operating in the world…i wonder if it is time for me to step up and walk in his shoes…but i don’t know if i know how just yet…
posted December 19, 2008 at 1:44 pm
He has done a lot in his life time. He is probably tired now and deserves to take it easy.
posted December 19, 2008 at 6:08 pm
It is a wise man who knows when to step down from power.
posted December 20, 2008 at 10:27 am
How many times he has said this before? I am tired to hear this garbage talk, Dalai is trying to fool people again
posted December 22, 2008 at 12:11 pm
To John Smith
I dont think its right making such a comment.If you dont like Dalai Lama you are not obliged to follow him.i think he’s tired with the position of all the west’s prime ministers and america’s presidents.They ve all turned their backs to Tibetan people’s voice for help.monies count,but not human rights.
posted December 23, 2008 at 9:29 am
Dalai is just the pretender, Tibetan people’s life is now much better than before.