Tenzin Nyidon
DHARAMSHALA, Sept. 2: The President of the exile Tibetan government, officially known as the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), Penpa Tsering, at the 65th anniversary of the Tibetan Democracy Day, delivered a strong rebuke to Beijing’s claim over the succession of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Speaking at the official ceremony in the courtyard of the Main Tibetan Temple in Dharamshala on Tuesday, he asserted that China has “no legitimate right whatsoever” to interfere in the centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist tradition of recognizing reincarnations.
“On the basis of history, morality, or any system of law, the PRC’s authorities have no legitimate right whatsoever to grant approval to the reincarnations of His Holiness while transgressing international borders,” he declared.
The remarks followed a series of landmark resolutions earlier this year. On July 2, the Tibetan spiritual leader himself reaffirmed the continuation of the institution of the Dalai Lama. That same day, the 15th Tibetan Religious Conference, attended by heads and masters of all major Tibetan Buddhist traditions, unanimously passed a resolution endorsing his statement, affirming that the process of recognizing the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation rests solely within Tibetan Buddhist tradition and firmly rejecting Chinese interference. Two days later, the Conference adopted a further four-point resolution pledging to uphold this sacred responsibility for eons and denouncing Beijing’s reliance on “deceptive propaganda” such as the Golden Urn Lottery and state approval procedures.
The Tibetan political leader highlighted that Beijing’s efforts are undermined by its own record in Tibet. “Since its invasion, China destroyed more than 6,000 monasteries, disrobed monks and nuns, killed an estimated 1.2 million Tibetans, and today continues to Sinicize Tibetan Buddhism under tight state control,” he said. Monasteries, he noted, are subjected to quotas on monks and nuns, their resources seized, and their religious leaders turned into political tools under Communist Party supervision.
President Tsering also invoked the abduction of the 11th Panchen Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, who was abducted by Chinese authorities in 1995 at the age of six. In his place, Beijing installed Gyaltsen Norbu through a staged “Golden Urn” ceremony. “Tibetans are coerced to attend his teachings, but in such an environment where genuine spiritual practice cannot exist, the very purpose of reincarnation is defeated,” he said.
The head of the exile polity reiterated the Dalai Lama’s own guidance that until the Sino-Tibet conflict is resolved, the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation will be found in a free country. The responsibility for recognition, he said, rests with the Gaden Phodrang Trust, in consultation with the heads of the Buddhist traditions and Dharma protectors, rendering Chinese claims “baseless before the international Buddhist community, followers of Tibetan Buddhism, and the world at large.”
Marking the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday in July, world leaders reinforced this position. Human rights ambassadors from the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Estonia, and Iceland issued a joint statement underscoring the right to religious freedom and the right of Tibetans to choose their own spiritual leaders free from state interference. Czech President Petr Pavel also met with the Dalai Lama in Ladakh in a historic show of support.
In its statement, the Cabinet said it is compiling global resolutions, appeals, and declarations on the issue of the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation to strengthen international solidarity. “We will continue our sincere efforts to seek support from free nations and urge for collective action on this critical matter,” the Sikyong said.
I totally agree with hardcore nationalist writer. How can an atheist who does not believe in religion select a Buddhist reincarnation? Remember Mao Tsetung told the young Dalai Lama: “Religion is opium of the people.” Communist China destroyed thousands of Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and nunneries and Buddhist statues and relics; they tried to wipe out everything that is Tibetan Buddhist. Where is the reincarnation of the Panchen Lama who was recognized by His Holiness the Dalai Lama? The world wants to know whereabouts of the Gedun Choekyi Nyima, his parents and his teacher, Chadrel Rinpoche? The Tibetans and the world do not recognize the CCP’s selection of Gyaltsen Norbu. Poor Gyaltsen Norbu has to do whatever the CCP dictates; he has no freedom.
Concerning the future reincarnation of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, His Holiness has made it crystal clear in his recent statement. The Tibetans and the world will follow His Holiness’ instructions, NOT CCP’s. Bear this in mind!
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Tibetans must be vocal in defending the inalienable right to choose the reincarnation of HH The Dalai Lama. The religion-hating Chinese communist regime’s arrogance and down right lies are totally unacceptable. The institution of the Dalai Lama is six hundred years old while the Chinese communist regime is only 70 years old! THEIR THUGGERY IN PUSHING A FABRICATED NARRATIVE IS CONTEMPTIBLE! During these many centuries, ONLY THE GANDEN PHODRANG HAD THE SOLE RIGHT AND NOBODY ELSE. TIBET WAS AN INDEPENDENT COUNTRY AND IT RECOGNISED ITS DALAI LAMA WITHOUT ANY FOREIGN INTERFERENCE. The so called golden urn is a creation of the CCP who rewrites history to suit its evil intentions. The attitude of the Buddhist Manchus towards the Dalai Lama was of utmost respect and regarded Him as their refuge and moral guardian. Out of such sincere devotion, they offered an urn to please the Lama just like Mila Repa offered an urn to Marpa the translator when he first met him! The Tibetans in turn reciprocated it by using it for two Dalai Lamas as a way of acknowledging the devotion and dedication of the Manchus to the Dalai Lamas. There was no political overtones since the Manchus regarded themselves as disciples of the Dalai Lama. In those days, offering an urn was to demonstrate one’s devotion to the Lama like Mila Repa did to Marpa. Today, the communist regime is a Dalai Lama hating, religion-hating entity. Such an entity making baseless claims over fabricated and distorted historical events is sacrilegious and blasphemous! THE PRC HAS NO RIGHT WHATSOEVER ON HISTORICAL BASIS OR RELIGIOUS AND MORAL GROUND TO HAVE ANY SAY IN THE REINCARNATION OF THE DALAI LAMA! HISTORICAL, MORAL AND RELIGIOUS PRECEDENT DEMANDS THAT THE RECOGNITION OF THE DALAI LAMAS IS A PREROGATIVE OF THE GANDEN PHODRANG TRUST AND NOBODY ELSE!