The Dalai Lama Legacy: A Spiritual Lineage China Cannot Command

One thing is certain: the institution of the Dalai Lama will outlive the current incumbent, the 14th Dalai Lama. His recent announcement at Dharamshala, the seat of the Tibetan government in exile, has brought great relief and joy to Tibetans around the world.

For years, speculation had swirled about whether he would name a successor at all. His long silence on the matter led many to fear that the lineage might end with him. That fear has now been laid to rest.

The Dalai Lama has made it clear that the traditional Tibetan system of identifying the next reincarnation will continue, but with one significant caveat: China will not have a say. The Chinese government, as expected, wasted no time in responding. They insist that the 15th Dalai Lama must be chosen using the “Golden Urn” method, a lottery system introduced by the Qing Dynasty in 1793.

Furthermore, Beijing asserts that no reincarnation will be recognised unless approved by the Communist Party. In short, they want the next Dalai Lama to be a “full-fledged Chinese”. This is part of their larger agenda to control not just territory, but faith, culture, and identity—especially among minority communities.

This is more than a religious dispute. It is about China’s ongoing effort to erase the Tibetan identity—first by occupying its land, now by appropriating its spiritual traditions. The Dalai Lama, however, is not yielding ground. He has stated unequivocally that the Gaden Phodrang Trust, which he established, will have full authority to identify his successor.

That successor may not be born in Tibet at all—he may be born in India or wherever Tibetan communities flourish. What emerges is the strong possibility of two rival Dalai Lamas: one recognised by Tibetans through their traditional process and another selected and endorsed by the Chinese government. This is not unprecedented.

China has already done something similar with the Panchen Lama. The boy chosen by the Dalai Lama as the Panchen Lama was abducted by Chinese authorities and replaced with a state-approved figure. Tibetans refer to the Chinese Panchen Lama as a “bird in a golden cage”, a figure of pity, not reverence.

Despite all this, the Dalai Lama continues to command worldwide respect—not just among Buddhists but across religious and political lines. His gentle manner, humility, and profound wisdom have made him one of the most admired spiritual leaders of our time.

90 Years Of His Holiness Dalai Lama: A Legacy Of Values & Peace

The Tibetan method of succession may seem strange to outsiders, but it is the right of every faith to choose its path. China may try to politicise reincarnation, but the soul of Tibet—embodied in the Dalai Lama—remains beyond its reach. The sooner they learn this, the better it will be for them.