The Dalai Lama is set to speak at a significant three-day assembly of Buddhist religious leaders this week, just before his 90th birthday, as his followers eagerly anticipate insights regarding his succession, a matter that could provoke China.
Beijing regards the Dalai Lama, who escaped Tibet in 1959 following a failed uprising against Chinese governance, as a separatist and asserts that it will select his successor.
The Dalai Lama indicated that his successor would be born outside of China and encouraged his followers to dismiss anyone appointed by Beijing.
“The rest of my life I will dedicate for the benefit of others, as much as possible, as extensive as possible,” the Dalai Lama told a gathering of his followers on Monday as they offered prayers for his long life.
“There will be some kind of a framework within which we can talk about the continuation of the institution of the Dalai Lamas,” he said, without elaborating.
Tibetan Buddhists believe that enlightened monks are reborn to continue their spiritual path.
The 14th Dalai Lama will celebrate his 90th birthday on Sunday and has said he would engage with senior monks and others now to provide possible hints about where his successor, whether a boy or a girl, might be after his passing.
He has previously suggested that he could be reincarnated in India, where he has lived in exile near the northern Himalayan town of Dharamshala. When he was just two years old, he was recognised as the reincarnation of his predecessor.
The religious conference taking place this week, the first since 2019, will include over 100 Tibetan Buddhist leaders in attendance and a video message from the Dalai Lama.
