So who chooses the next Dalai Lama now? Beijing passed a law in 2007 stating reincarnations are “subject to an application for approval.” Last year, a Chinese official said reincarnations “must comply with Chinese laws and regulations.”
Tibet is called, correctly, an “internal colony” of China. The current Dalai Lama, who retains the devotion of Tibetans, cannot help those inside China’s borders, but he can prevent Chinese materialists from controlling Tibetan spirituality.
His Holiness has indicated his successor need not be from Tibet, need not be a Tibetan, and need not be male. More fundamentally, he has also said he may decide not to reincarnate, suggesting last year that the concept of reincarnation may end forever. In any event, the ultimate decision on reincarnation will be up to the entire Tibetan community, and the public discussion the Dalai Lama started helps prevent China from hijacking the institution of reincarnation.
Everyone, not just Tibetans, has a stake in the outcome of the reincarnation debate. China’s plan to control succession is part of its attempt to eliminate religion in China and reorient the world in its direction. Chinese officials boast of their new model of human rights, economic development, and governance and even hint China should be considered the world’s only sovereign state. Through their global influence campaigns, they are pressuring peoples everywhere.
Will he be a big hitter?
Beijing passed a law in 2007 stating reincarnations are “subject to an application for approval.”
Oh, this is rich!
The Void laughs at fools like this.
Reincarnation is a key concept in Buddhism. Do all present-day Buddhists believe they will be reincarnated after they die, or only some of them?
China should be considered the world’s only sovereign state.
Very old Chinese belief. There is the Celestial Kingdom and the rest are ‘Outer barbarians’. This idea has never really gone away.