Islamabad, July 3, 2025: The elderly Dalai Lama on Wednesday has assured his followers and said that he will be reborn after his death as the next spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. In addition, he also shared a new process to choose his suvvessor which trigger a new wave of tension with China.
The Dalai Lama, who turns 90 soon, made this statement in Dharamshala, India. He said that his non-profit group, the Gaden Phodrang Trust, will have the only right to find his reincarnation. China, however, says it must approve the next Dalai Lama through an old ritual.
After a failed revolt against Chinese rule, the Buddhist monk fled Tibet in 1959. China calls him a separatist. As a result, he has said his next birth will happen outside China and asked his followers to reject any Dalai Lama chosen by Beijing.
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In his video message, the he confirmed that his spiritual line will continue. Many monks and supporters cheered his words. Actor Richard Gere also attended the event. The Dalai Lama’s group will search for his reincarnation after he dies and stressed that no one else can interfere.
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Tibetan tradition says high monks are reborn after death. The Dalai Lama was born in 1935 and chosen as a child. He won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.
Officials say the next Dalai Lama can be of any gender or nationality. The Dalai Lama also said he is open to visiting Tibet, but only if China allows and without staying there. The U.S. urged China to stop interfering in Tibetan religious matters and to respect freedom of belief.
