Not the Dalai Lama, China will decide the successor? Beijing told 700 year old tradition

Dalai Lama, Xi Jinping

There has been a dispute between China and the Tibetan community for years over the successor of the Tibetan religious Dalai Lama. On the one hand, there is talk of religious tradition and self -determination, on the other hand, China's political interference attempt. Now amid this debate, Chinese Ambassador to India, Shoo Faihong, has once again reiterated the old stand of Beijing. He clearly stated that the rebirth of the Dalai Lama is not a personal decision, but part of the hundreds of years old Tibetan Buddhist tradition, which has been going on for the last 700 years.

This statement comes at a time when Buddhist followers from Tibet and around the world want to know what direction will be taken after the 14th Dalai Lama. According to the ambassador, the Dalai Lama is a link to this tradition, it does not begin or end with them. Whether or not the process of rebirth is to continue, it is not in the hands of any one person. He also claimed that the Tibetan populated areas Jijang (Tibet), Sichuan, Yunnan, Gansu and Chinghai are currently active in the rebirth system of more than 1000 living Buddha (Living Buddhaz).

'Not Dalai Lama, China will decide successor'

It is clear from Shu Faihong's statement that China wants to keep itself in a decisive role in the appointment of Tibetan religious leader. This is the same old attitude, which many countries of the world including India have already accepted against religious freedom and self -determination. Actually, the 14th Dalai Lama has already publicly stated where and how his successor will be born, he will decide. This decision will be completely religious, not political. They have indicated many times that the next Dalai Lama can be born in India.

But Beijing also keeps this religious process in a political realm and his latest statement reiterates the same ground reality that Tibet is still a question of religion and culture, not just a 'regional case'.

Dalai Lama's rebirth is not just a religious matter

Actually, the rebirth of the Dalai Lama is not just a religious matter. This is like putting a hand on the sensitive vein of India-China relations. Beijing has been uncomfortable for a long time due to the presence of the Dalai Lama in India and giving shelter to the Tibetan exile government. Now that the Chinese Ambassador themselves are sitting in Delhi and making a Dotuk statement on it, it is a sign that Beijing wants to put diplomatic pressure on this issue. Due to this, the recent dialogue between the two countries, which was seen melting, can freeze again.

China's strategy is clear, it not only wants to present his 'one China policy' as an internal issue regarding Tibet, but also to keep the process of religious rights and traditional succession globally under political control. For India, it is not just a diplomatic challenge, but also a question of religious freedom and historical moral responsibility.