Dalai Lama cannot decide on reincarnation, says China; India maintains neutrality | India News

Tibetan religious chief the Dalai Lama (AP picture)

NEW DELHI: China’s ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, on Sunday stated the 14th Dalai Lama has no authority to decide the continuation of the Tibetan Buddhist reincarnation system, calling it a non secular apply that has existed for over 700 years and isn’t topic to particular person discretion.“The reincarnation system of Living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism has existed for over 700 years,” China’s Ambassador to India, Xu Feihong, stated in a publish on X. “Currently, there are more than 1,000 such reincarnation lineages across Tibet and Tibetan-inhabited regions of Sichuan, Yunnan, Gansu, and Qinghai,” he wrote.Xu emphasised that the 14th Dalai Lama is part of a historical and religious succession and cannot unilaterally decide whether the institution should continue or end. “The reincarnation of Dalai Lamas neither began with him nor will it end with him,” he stated. “He has no authority to abolish or continue the system,” he added.

The remarks come amid renewed world consideration on the problem, particularly because the Dalai Lama turns 90 on July 6. The query of his succession has emerged as a delicate geopolitical and religious subject, notably within the context of China’s growing management over non secular affairs in Tibet.However, the ministry of exterior affairs on Friday stated that the federal government “does not take any position” on such non secular points. “We have seen reports relating to the statement made by His Holiness the Dalai Lama about the continuation of the Dalai Lama institution,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, whereas including: “Government of India does not take any position or speak on matters concerning beliefs and practices of faith and religion.”Meanwhile, union minister for Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, a practising Buddhist, reiterated that the choice rests solely with the Dalai Lama and conventional Buddhist customs. Speaking at birthday eve celebrations for the Tibetan religious chief in Dharamshala, Rijiju stated, “Dalai Lama institution is purely religious and government of India believes there should be no interference in religious matters… I would like to wish His Holiness a long life… All his devotees desire to see him healthy so that the global community can benefit from his wisdom... I don’t want to react on the Chinese statement, but we leave everything to His Holiness.”Earlier, Rijiju had stated, “The Dalai Lama is a defining spiritual leader for Buddhists. The decision about his reincarnation should follow tradition and be made by him alone. No one else has the right.”“The Dalai Lama is a defining spiritual leader for Buddhists,” Rijiju stated on July 2. “The decision about his reincarnation should follow tradition and be made by him alone. No one else has the right.”The 14th Dalai Lama had not too long ago reiterated that the establishment would proceed and that solely the Gaden Phodrang Trust would have the authority to recognise his reincarnation.China has persistently asserted that the method of choosing Tibetan Buddhist leaders should comply with procedures authorised by the Chinese state. In a latest assertion, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated, “Reincarnation must follow Chinese laws and religious rituals, including drawing lots from a golden urn and approval from the central government.”Mao added that whereas China respects non secular freedom, it strictly regulates non secular actions, together with reincarnation processes.Meanwhile, in a pointy rebuttal, Penpa Tsering, President of the Tibetan government-in-exile, accused China of erasing Tibetan identification by “cultural genocide.”