Chinese government will be involved in appointment...

Chinese government will be involved in appointment of next Dalai Lama: Researcher

Monica Cheru, Managing Editor

The deputy secretary general of the China Tibetology Research Center has said it is impossible for the Dalai Lama to be involved in the choice of his successor, as the process is only triggered after the demise of the incumbent Living Buddha reincarnation.

Li Decheng, who is also a researcher at the institution, was speaking at a media engagement with local and foreign media in Beijing this past week.

In response to what China’s position would be if the 14th Dalai Lama chose a successor from outside China, Li Decheng stated that there would be the true one chosen as per tradition and an imposter.

Li Decheng lectured on how the tradition of the Living Buddha Reincarnation was founded and why the state is an inalienable player in the process, which is triggered by the Tibetan monasteries.

Li Decheng said the government of China is open to the return of the 14th Dalai Lama, who turned 88 in 2024, but would not discuss the secession of Tibet under any circumstance.

The Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959 after an unsuccessful rebellion against the central government. Tibet is an autonomous region of the People’s Republic of China.

Li Decheng said most adherents of the religion remained in Tibet, and therefore the minority outside cannot usurp control, disregard traditions, and come up with new agenda-driven systems.