Explainer: Who will be the next Dalai Lama? Tibet has hope from India, on the other hand China is also plotting

New Delhi: Who is the next Dalai Lama? Who will carry forward the tradition of the 14th Dalai Lama? In recent times, the biggest curiosity among millions of people of the Tibetan community is about this matter. This discussion and curiosity is intensifying because Dalai Lama will turn 90 next year. The 90th birthday is considered very special among this community. When the Dalai Lama will turn 90 on July 25 next year, the Tibetan community all over the world has already started preparing for large-scale celebrations. The center of this festival will be Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh where the Dalai Lama himself and all the senior officials of the exile government of Tibet live. It is believed that amidst this celebration, on July 6 next year, the Dalai Lama can put an end to the discussions over his/her successor. his/her next move will have a deep impact on the Tibetan struggle and his/her future strategy. Narendra Nath’s report after returning from Dharamshala:

Why is there confusion about the next Dalai Lama?

In the Tibetan community, the Panchen Lama plays an important role in the process of selecting the Dalai Lama. The Panchen Lama is appointed by the Dalai Lama. According to tradition, the Panchen Lama conducts the search for his/her successor at the behest of the Dalai Lama. But, Tibet’s government-in-exile alleges that China kidnapped the 10th Panchen Lama in 1995 when he/she was just 6 years old. Now there is a fear that when the search for the Dalai Lama’s successor begins, China will bring forward its own Panchen Lama, due to which it may try to choose and impose its own successor on the Dalai Lama.

Is China conspiring on the succession issue?

It is known that China has recognized the son of a Chinese security officer on the post of Panchen Lama. This is why Tibetan officials believe that China is plotting in this direction. In the past, the Dalai Lama himself has clearly stated on several occasions that there will be no interference from China in the selection of his/her successor and he/she has also taken the support of most western countries including America on this issue. They do not want their successor even from Tibet. After talking to most of the people of the Tibetan government in exile, it was estimated that they all search for the successor of the Dalai Lama within India or in some other countries.

So will the tradition of Dalai Lama end?

The way the Tibetan Movement has seen ups and downs in recent years, the discussion is in full swing whether the 14th Dalai Lama will be the last representative of this tradition? Will he/she have no successor? There are two solid reasons behind this discussion. Firstly, this option can be considered to reduce the possibility of any kind of action from China. Secondly, the discussion arose because the current Dalai Lama himself has given such indications on some occasions in recent years. he/she had earlier said about his/her successor that now the people of Tibetan origin should think seriously that they should take their own decisions and put an end to this tradition here.

However, Acting Sikyong (President) of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) Dolma Gyari told NBT that even if the Dalai Lama himself wants to end this tradition, on his/her behalf and across the Tibetan community people from all over the world will convince him/her to continue this tradition. Which is a pillar of their religion. She says that she is confident that the Dalai Lama will take a decision at the right time considering all the public sentiments. However, there is also an option that the Dalai Lama may announce postponement of this decision for a few years. he/she has previously said that he/she is in perfect health and will live for at least 105 years.

Preparation for 90th birthday from now on
At the same time, preparations have already started for the 90th birthday of Dalai Lama. A committee has been formed to organize a big event on this occasion. It is believed that the largest Tibetan community in recent years will come to Dharamshala from all over the world. Politicians from many countries are also likely to come. Through this event, the Tibetan community is also planning a strategy to give a big message to the world. At the same time, Himachal Pradesh government and administration are exploring huge possibilities of promoting tourism in it.

Tibetan community is looking towards India with hope
The Tibetan community and its government-in-exile run by India have high hopes from India amid their conflict at the crossroads. he/she also has a reason behind this. he/she believes that if India has to resolve the border dispute with China and curb Chinese activities around Arunachal Pradesh, then it is in India’s interest to give Tibet autonomy. According to Tibetan Administration President Dolma Gyari, Tibet is very important for India geographically and strategically and India’s support at this time is in the interest of both.

Although the Tibetan administration has some resentment with the Indian government for not standing firmly with them in recent times, they also believe that in global diplomacy many things have to be done according to the situation.