Tibetan Buddhists Likely to Reject Beijing-Chosen Dalai Lama, Experts Say
Experts and officials assert that Beijing lacks the legitimacy to interfere in the selection of the next Dalai Lama, a process rooted in Tibetan Buddhist tradition and not subject to Chinese control. The discussion comes as China increasingly attempts to assert its authority over the reincarnation process.
according to Liu Shih-chung, a researcher at the Institute of European and American Studies at Academia Sinica, the premise of Chinese interference is flawed. “the process for the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation does not originate from religious rituals or laws in China, so Beijing has no ancient, legal or moral basis for interfering in how Tibetans select the newest person to bear the title,” he stated.
Historical context supports this claim. Liu points out that the Republic of china (ROC) was preoccupied with internal conflicts and wars and unable to exert control over Tibet. Following the fall of the Qing Dynasty, Tibetan forces, aided by British support, successfully expelled remaining Qing troops. Prior to the establishment of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in 1949, the ROC held virtually no influence in Tibet.
China has issued regulations outlining three requirements for the reincarnation of Tibetan Buddhist leaders, including the Dalai Lama.However, Hu Ping, editor of the New York-based Chinese-language magazine Beijing Spring, argues that none of these requirements are justifiable.
The first requirement, that the Dalai Lama must be found within China’s borders, is challenged by historical precedent. Hu cites the case of the fourth Dalai Lama,Yonten Gyatso,who was born in Mongolia. He further explained that the search for reincarnated lamas is guided by the spread of Tibetan Buddhism and its followers,a process unbound by national borders.
China’s second requirement, the use of a “Golden Urn” lottery method, also lacks significant historical backing.Hu notes that this method was only employed during the Qing Dynasty to identify one or two Dalai Lamas, and was not a consistent practice.
the demand for Chinese government approval of the Dalai Lama is seen as fundamentally unacceptable. Hu believes that any candidate approved by Beijing woudl be widely rejected by Tibetan Buddhists and ultimately become a source of embarrassment for China.
Fooyin University professor Su Chia-hung suggests a potential outcome of two competing Dalai Lamas – one chosen by the Tibetan Buddhist community in exile and another selected by the Chinese government.
Kelsang Gyalsten Bawa, chair of the Tibet Religious foundation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, highlighted the potential for a significant challenge to beijing’s claims should the Dalai Lama be reincarnated in Taiwan, a territory China claims. This scenario would undermine China’s justification for requiring the reincarnation to occur within its borders. Bawa reiterated that the Dalai Lama himself stated in July that the Gaden Phodrang Foundation of the Dalai Lama holds the ultimate authority on his reincarnation.
National Medical University professor Chang Kuo-cheng echoed Bawa’s point, emphasizing the narrative contradiction China would face. He also warned that Taiwan would face even greater repression than Tibet if it were to fall under Beijing’s control, arguing that supporting Tibet is, in effect, supporting Taiwan’s own security.
