China’s foreign ministry has strongly opposed the Dalai Lama’s claim in his latest book, ‘Voice for the Voiceless’, where he states that the next spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism will be born outside China, as reported by Reuters.
Responding to his remarks, the Chinese foreign ministry said, “He has no right to represent the people of Tibet. Reincarnations of the living Buddha, including the Dalai Lama, should abide by the regulations of the country.”
Officials further reinforced Beijing’s position on the matter, stating, “Reincarnation is a special tradition of Tibetan Buddhism and the name of the living Buddha of Dalai Lama was identified by the central government.”
At a press briefing on Monday, a ministry spokesperson dismissed the Dalai Lama as “a political exile who is engaged in anti-China separatist activities under the cloak of religion.” The official also emphasized that his views would not alter China’s policies on Tibet or its governance.
While China insists that the government will have the final say in selecting the next Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader has made it clear that any successor chosen by Beijing would not be recognized.
The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, fled to India in 1959 along with thousands of Tibetans following an unsuccessful uprising against the Chinese communist regime under Mao Zedong.
