Dalai Lama to Address Key Buddhist Summit Ahead of 90th Birthday Amid Speculation Over Successor

 As he approaches his 90th birthday, the 14th Dalai Lama is set to address a landmark three-day gathering of senior Tibetan Buddhist leaders this week, in what is widely seen as a pivotal moment regarding the future of Tibetan spiritual leadership and succession. The high-level religious assembly—being held for the first time since 2019—has drawn over 100 Buddhist dignitaries and global supporters to Dharamshala, India, where the Tibetan spiritual leader has lived in exile since fleeing Tibet in 1959.

The conference is expected to feature a highly anticipated video address from the Dalai Lama, with many followers hoping he will offer guidance or "clues" regarding the recognition of his successor. The matter remains politically sensitive, with China insisting it holds the authority to select the next Dalai Lama—an assertion strongly rejected by the Tibetan government-in-exile and the current Dalai Lama himself.

Succession Under Global Scrutiny

While traditionally the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama is identified posthumously by senior Tibetan monks, the 14th Dalai Lama has signaled a departure from this precedent, citing interference by the Chinese state as justification for taking pre-emptive steps. "There will be some kind of framework within which we can talk about the continuation of the institution of the Dalai Lamas," he told his followers earlier this week, though he stopped short of providing specifics.

He has previously stated that his reincarnation could occur outside Chinese territory, possibly in India. “The rest of my life I will dedicate for the benefit of others, as much as possible, as extensive as possible,” he said during a prayer ceremony, reaffirming his commitment to humanitarian service.

Political Tensions and International Attention

China continues to regard the Dalai Lama as a separatist and has dismissed his spiritual authority, declaring in March that he “has no right to represent the Tibetan people.” Beijing has also demanded that any future discussions be predicated on the Dalai Lama recognizing Tibet and Taiwan as "inalienable parts" of China—conditions firmly rejected by the Tibetan leadership in exile.

Tibetan officials remain concerned that China aims to co-opt the institution of the Dalai Lama for political purposes. "China is trying to grab this institution," said Dolma Tsering Teykhang, deputy speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile. "We want the incarnation of the Dalai Lama not only for the survival of Tibet as a distinct culture, religion and nation, but for the well-being of all humanity."

Tibet's Chief State Oracle, Thupten Ngodup, emphasized the unprecedented nature of this succession discourse occurring during the Dalai Lama’s lifetime. “Usually such discussions don’t take place while a monk is still alive, but the Chinese government's interference has changed the situation,” he said.

Preparing for Transition

With his 90th birthday approaching on July 6, the Dalai Lama will participate in a prayer session organized by the Tibetan government-in-exile on July 5 and deliver a public address during celebrations the following day. India’s Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Kiren Rijiju, along with other officials, is expected to attend the events. Hollywood actor and longtime Tibet advocate Richard Gere will also be present, according to organizers.

Concerns about the Dalai Lama's health have persisted since he underwent knee surgery in the United States last year. However, the spiritual leader, who was recognized as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama at age two, has said he believes he could live until the age of 110.

To ensure continuity, the Dalai Lama established the Gaden Phodrang Foundation in 2015 to guide the spiritual succession process. His 2011 decision to relinquish political authority to a democratically elected Tibetan government-in-exile marked the end of a 368-year-old tradition of combining spiritual and temporal leadership.

“His Holiness has really prepared us for the day when he will no longer be with us,” said Teykhang. “He made us act as if he’s not there—because since he has come in the form of a human, we must accept that there will be a moment when he is gone.”