Dalai Lama hinted at his reincarnation in a ‘free world’ that most certainly be in India: Tibetologist Claude Arpi

The Buddhist spiritual leader turns 90 on July 6, and global attention is on Dharamshala, the seat of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, where a three-day international conference of Buddhist scholars, senior monks and representatives from various Buddhist traditions from around the world will be held from July 2 to 4.

The event is expected to culminate in a much-anticipated address by the Dalai Lama, during which he is likely to offer clarity on the future of the reincarnation tradition and his succession.

“China is very upset because the Dalai Lama may speak openly about his reincarnation, possibly offering guidance on where and how he will return,” said Arpi, a leading authority on Tibet and Buddhism.

Arpi recalled that in 2007, the Chinese government passed a regulation giving the Communist Party the authority to approve reincarnations of Tibetan Buddhist leaders, a move widely seen as “a political attempt to control the succession of the Dalai Lama”.

Arpi said, “This has nothing to do with spirituality or religion. The Dalai Lama has been vocal about this threat, publicly stating that people should not accept any future Dalai Lama appointed by Beijing. That would be a very, very bad thing, not just for Buddhists but for all of humanity.”

Arpi noted, “China is particularly agitated by the fact that the Dalai Lama is expected to deliver his statement in Tibetan, English and Chinese. This multilingual outreach will ensure his message reaches not only Tibetan Buddhists but also global followers, governments and scholars. There are millions, including Western Buddhists and even non-Buddhist Indians, who deeply admire him. He is respected as a man of peace, compassion and non-violence. His message will carry enormous weight.”

Asked whether it is confirmed that the Dalai Lama would announce or hint at his reincarnation on his 90th birthday, Arpi said, “In 2011, he convened a similar high-level religious conference in Dharamshala, where hundreds of Rinpoches had gathered. At that time, he explained the meaning and importance of reincarnation and said he would provide a precise indication of his return when he reached his 90s. I believe this moment is now approaching. In the meantime, China is working very hard to block this process.”

Arpi emphasised that the Dalai Lama has “no intention of returning within a Communist regime that rejects the spiritual basis of reincarnation. He has made it clear that he will never reincarnate under such a system”.

Arpi, however, said, “I do not believe in the concept of reincarnation, but the significance of the Dalai Lama’s message transcends religious boundaries — it is spiritual, cultural and deeply political.”