Dalai Lama Reasserts Sole Authority Over Reincarnation Process, Defying China’s Interference

 Dharamshala, July 2, 2025 — In a decisive reaffirmation of Tibetan religious sovereignty, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has declared that the sole authority to recognize his future reincarnation rests exclusively with the Gaden Phodrang Trust, the official office of the Tibetan spiritual leader.

The Dalai Lama’s statement comes amid ongoing efforts by the Chinese government to assert influence over the reincarnation process—a move widely seen as part of Beijing's broader strategy to consolidate control over Tibet and its religious institutions.

Reiterating a position he first made public in 1969, the Dalai Lama underscored that any decision regarding the continuation of the Dalai Lama institution must lie with the Tibetan people and followers of Tibetan Buddhism. He cited the resolution passed in 2011, which formally entrusted the Gaden Phodrang Trust—in consultation with senior leaders of all Tibetan Buddhist traditions and the spiritual protectors of the lineage—with the exclusive authority to oversee any future reincarnation.

“I hereby reiterate that the Gaden Phodrang Trust has the sole authority to recognize my future reincarnation. No individual or political entity holds any right to interfere in this sacred matter,” His Holiness declared.

Over the past 14 years, the Dalai Lama revealed, he has received appeals from Tibetans inside Tibet, from the diaspora, and from Buddhist communities across Asia—including mainland China, Mongolia, and Russia—urging him to ensure the continuation of the Dalai Lama lineage. Responding to these concerns, he has now formally confirmed that the institution will continue, but strictly in accordance with the spiritual and traditional values of Tibetan Buddhism.

This unequivocal position is likely to set the stage for renewed confrontation with the Chinese authorities, who have repeatedly indicated their intention to control the succession process. Beijing’s stance has drawn sharp criticism from global human rights groups and Buddhist communities, who view it as a direct violation of religious freedom and cultural autonomy.

The Dalai Lama’s proclamation serves not only as a spiritual directive but also as a potent assertion of Tibetan identity and resistance. As the international community closely watches developments surrounding the future of the Dalai Lama institution, his latest statement leaves no room for ambiguity regarding who holds the rightful authority in this deeply sacred matter.