How will the next Dalai Lama be chosen?
Tibetan spiritual leader says centuries-old institution will continue beyond his death
The 14th Dalai Lama has confirmed that he will reincarnate after his death, putting to rest years of speculation and reaffirming that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue — but strictly on Tibetan Buddhist terms.
Speaking days ahead of his 90th birthday, the globally revered spiritual leader said the search for his successor will follow traditional Tibetan Buddhist practices, and will be overseen solely by his personal office, the Gaden Phodrang Trust, based in India. “No one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter,” he said.
The Dalai Lama’s announcement comes in the face of persistent claims by the Chinese government that it alone has the right to name the next Dalai Lama, igniting fears of a future where two rival Dalai Lamas could emerge — one recognised by Tibetans and the other by Beijing.
“This is a moment of great clarity and courage,” said Penpa Tsering, head of the Tibetan government-in-exile. “We are deeply grateful His Holiness has accepted our collective appeal for the institution to continue.”
A future rooted in tradition
According to Tibetan Buddhist belief, the Dalai Lama is the reincarnation of Avalokiteshvara (Chenrezig), the bodhisattva of compassion. While the search for the next Dalai Lama can only begin after his death, the process has already become a deeply contested geopolitical issue.
The Dalai Lama reiterated that his successor could be born in any country that offers religious freedom.
A senior leader of the Gaden Phodrang Trust, Samdhong Rinpoche, said that the Dalai Lama is currently in good health and that no further steps toward succession will be taken until necessary. However, the framework has been clearly laid out. “The process will adhere to our historical spiritual practices. The next Dalai Lama will be recognised, not appointed,” he said.
Beijing reacts
China reacted strongly. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning insisted that the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation must be “domestically searched” within China and that the outcome must be “approved by the central government” — including, if necessary, by drawing lots from the so-called golden urn, a historical practice revived by Communist authorities in recent decades.
The Dalai Lama has previously dismissed this process as lacking spiritual legitimacy, warning of its use for political ends.
Global significance
The Dalai Lama’s decision to continue the lineage is significant not only for the Tibetan people, but also for millions of followers across the Himalayan region, Mongolia, Russia, and the global Buddhist diaspora. For many, the Dalai Lama represents not just a religious figure, but a symbol of non-violence, compassion, and cultural survival.
How earlier Dalai Lamas were chosen
The institution of the Dalai Lama dates back to 1587, with each Dalai Lama believed to be a reincarnation of his predecessor.
Upon the death of a Dalai Lama, high-ranking monks and regents traditionally look for signs, dreams, and omens to guide them to the new incarnation.
The process often includes:
Visions at sacred lakes, such as Lhamo La-tso.
Identification of specific locations and symbols revealed through meditation.
Testing young candidates using personal artifacts (e.g. the late Dalai Lama’s items) to see if the child recognises them.
Once a likely child is identified, they are groomed and educated for years, typically entering monastic life at a very early age.
The search has sometimes taken several years and spanned across national borders.
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