In his new book “Voice for the Voiceless,” the Dalai Lama, 89, declares his successor will be born outside China, challenging Beijing’s authority over Tibetan Buddhism.
He writes that Tibetans worldwide desire the continuation of the Dalai Lama institution after his death, marking a shift from previous suggestions that the lineage might end with him.
This is the first time the Dalai Lama has specified that his reincarnation will occur in the “free world,” indicating a location beyond China’s control.
China, which considers the Dalai Lama a separatist, asserts its right to select his successor. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated, “The lineage of the Dalai Lama living Buddha was formed and developed in China’s Tibet, and his religious status and name were also determined by [China’s] central government.”
The Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule and has lived in India since. He maintains that any successor appointed by China will not be respected by Tibetans.
The book, released Tuesday, details his interactions with Chinese leaders over seven decades and emphasizes the ongoing struggle for Tibetan autonomy.
As he approaches his 90th birthday, the Dalai Lama plans to provide more information about his succession, highlighting his commitment to Tibetan cultural and spiritual preservation.
