Dalai Lama Affirms His Legacy: Future Reincarnation to Remain a Tibetan Decision
In a heartfelt reaffirmation of spiritual independence, the Dalai Lama has announced that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue—and that only his official office, the Gaden Phodrang Trust, holds the exclusive right to recognize his future reincarnation.
The message, issued from Dharamshala and translated from the original Tibetan, reflects His Holiness’s consistent stance on the matter. He pointed to a statement he made in 2011, emphasizing that the future of the Dalai Lama lineage should be determined by Tibetan Buddhists, the Tibetan public, and other devoted followers—not by outside forces.
His Holiness recalled sentiments he first expressed in 1969, reminding the world that the question of his succession should always lie with those who genuinely cherish the tradition.
As he approaches his ninetieth birthday, the Dalai Lama said he will consult with senior Tibetan Buddhist leaders and the Tibetan people to evaluate whether the institution should continue. However, the current statement leaves little doubt: after receiving widespread appeals over the past 14 years—from the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, religious leaders, NGOs, and Buddhist communities across Mongolia, Russia, mainland China, and beyond—the Dalai Lama confirmed that the lineage will go on.
He also noted that messages from within Tibet itself have repeatedly urged him to preserve the institution, reinforcing the importance of the decision.
According to the statement, the process for identifying a future Dalai Lama will follow the guidelines established in 2011. It clearly affirms that the Gaden Phodrang Trust alone is authorized to oversee the recognition process. The Trust will consult with spiritual leaders from across Tibetan Buddhist traditions, as well as the sacred Dharma Protectors tied to the Dalai Lama lineage, honoring centuries-old procedures.
In a firm and final note, His Holiness rejected any outside interference in this deeply spiritual matter. “No one else has the right to decide,” he stated.
This powerful message is widely understood as a response to growing geopolitical interest in the Dalai Lama’s succession. His Holiness’s words underscore a simple yet profound truth: the future of Tibetan spiritual leadership belongs to the Tibetan people and their faith—not to politics.
