As he turns 90 on July 6, the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, has outlined plans for the continuation of his spiritual office. In a mid-February memoir, A Voice for Those Who Have None, the Dalai Lama affirms that his successor will be born outside China, “in the free world,” and that the institution will continue rather than be discontinued.
The Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, believed to be the reincarnation of a line of enlightened beings. He also held political authority as the head of state of Tibet and later led the Tibetan government-in-exile. In 2011, he formally relinquished his political role, transferring leadership of the Central Tibetan Administration to the Sikyong, a democratically elected figure comparable to a prime minister.
This announcement follows earlier statements by Tenzin Gyatso, in which he suggested that the tradition of the Dalai Lama could be significantly altered due to the risk of Chinese interference in the selection of his successor. In the past, he had considered options such as ending the lineage entirely or identifying his reincarnation during his lifetime.
Instead, he will convene an assembly of senior exiled lamas later this month to endorse the community’s wish to perpetuate the lineage beyond Tibet’s borders. A formal decree is expected to follow, and upon the Dalai Lama’s passing, a religious committee overseen by his secretary will identify the next reincarnation according to traditional rites.
Chinese officials have stated their intention to play a decisive role in the selection of the next Dalai Lama, citing the requirement for Beijing’s approval in the appointment of high-ranking religious figures—even if it means naming their own candidate. In 1995, Chinese authorities detained the child recognized by Tenzin Gyatso as the Panchen Lama—the second highest figure of religious authority in Tibetan Buddhism—and installed an alternative appointee, who has since been rejected by most Tibetans. This precedent underscores the likelihood of competing claimants.