Can China Decide the Next Dalai Lama? Here’s What He Says

July 6, 2025: The Kalchakra Monastery in Salugara, West Bengal, lit up with celebration on Sunday as the Himalayan Buddhist Cultural Organisation marked the 90th birthday of the 14th Dalai Lama with a blend of devotion and festivity.

Chief Secretary Sanam Lama called it a landmark moment: “Every year we celebrate his birthday, but this is his 90th — so it’s grand.” The two-day celebration began Saturday with a free eye check-up camp, underlining the spiritual leader’s emphasis on both compassion and community service.

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Traditional rituals were performed with monks from various regions joining in, adding to the spiritual significance of the occasion.

Meanwhile, in Dharamshala, the Dalai Lama addressed a packed gathering at the Tsuglagkhang temple, reflecting on his spiritual journey and emphasizing compassion, service, and the Bodhichitta path. Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju and Rajiv Ranjan Singh were among the dignitaries who attended the event.

Adding global weight to the occasion, Sanam Lama highlighted the Dalai Lama’s recent announcement regarding his reincarnation — a matter of global interest and spiritual importance. The Tibetan spiritual leader reaffirmed that only the Gaden Phodrang Trust — his own foundation — has the sole authority to identify his reincarnation.

“China might be unhappy,” Lama acknowledged, “but this tradition has stood for over 1,000 years. No one can change it. Every Buddhist organization worldwide supports his decision.”

Penpa Tsering Sikyong, President of the Central Tibetan Administration, echoed this sentiment, warning that China’s attempts to politicize reincarnation and undermine Tibetan identity would not be accepted.

The 90th birthday of the Dalai Lama served as both a tribute to his enduring influence and a powerful reminder of Tibetan resilience, tradition, and the values of kindness and compassion.