‘At age 90,will decide on institution of Dalai Lama’

In an official statement released by his office,Dalai Lama said: “When I am about 90,I will consult the high Lamas of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions,the Tibetan public and other concerned people who follow Tibetan Buddhism and re-evaluate whether the institution of the Dalai Lama should continue. On that basis,we will take a decision. If it is decided that the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama should continue and there is a need for the 15th Dalai Lama to be recognised,responsibility for doing so will primarily rest on the concerned officers of the Dalai Lama’s Gaden Phodrang Trust. They should consult the various heads of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions and the reliable oath-bound Dharma Protectors who are linked inseparably to the lineage of the Dalai Lamas. They should seek advice and direction from these concerned beings and carry out the procedures of search and recognition in accordance with past tradition. I shall leave clear written instructions about this.”

Further,to avoid any confusion,Dalai Lama added: “In the absence of any clear guidelines,should the concerned public expresses a strong wish for the Dalai Lamas to continue,there is an obvious risk of vested political interests,misusing the reincarnation system to fulfill their own political agenda. Therefore,while I remain physically and mentally fit,it seems important to me that we draw up clear guidelines to recognise the next Dalai Lama,so that there is no room for doubt or deception.”

Concluding the three-day meeting of Tibetan Buddhist religious heads at Dharamsala,Dalai Lama,in his written statement,said: “Bear in mind that apart from the reincarnation recognised through such legitimate methods,no recognition or acceptance should be given to a candidate chosen for political ends by anyone,including those in the People’s Republic of China.” Taking a dig at Dalai Lama,the Chinese government in February had formulated a law banning the reincarnation of a lama,unless permitted by the government.

Reacting to the Chinese government’s policy,Dalai Lama said: “Reincarnation is a phenomenon which should take place either through the voluntary choice of the concerned person or at least on the strength of his or her karma,merit and prayers. Therefore,the person who reincarnates has sole legitimate authority over where and how he or she takes rebirth and how that reincarnation is to be recognised. It is particularly inappropriate for Chinese communists,who explicitly reject even the idea of past and future lives,let alone the concept of reincarnate Tulkus (an extremely high ranking Lama,who can chose the manner of his/her rebirth),to meddle in the system of reincarnation and especially the reincarnations of the Dalai Lamas and Panchen Lamas. Such brazen meddling contradicts their own political ideology and reveals their double standards.”

Reincarnation

Usually Dalai Lamas leave hints — either in writing or in signals — pointing towards their reincarnation. On the death of the Dalai Lama and consultation with the Nechung Oracle (a holy spirit,which is consulted by the high lamas to seek directions and other hints using which they look for the reincarnation),a search for the reincarnation is conducted by the high lamas. Traditionally,it has always been the responsibility of the Gelugpa tradition and the Tibetan government to find Dalai Lama’s reincarnation. However,after Dalai Lama announced his retirement from political headship of the exiled Tibetans,certain new guidelines are yet to be formulated. Earlier,while Dalai Lama was both the temporal and spiritual head of the Tibetans,the process used to take around two or three years. It took around four years,before the 14th Dalai Lama Tenzin Gyatso was discovered by the high lamas. Dalai Lama had already made it clear that if Tibet does not get free before his death,then his reincarnation will not take birth in China.