Rita Farhat Mukand

The Dalai Lama's surprising words, "The Next Dalai Lama will be in the Free World," have reverberated globally, prompting mixed reactions because there was an earlier indication that he wanted to devolve the institution of the Dalai Lama.

This statement brought hope and the melody of promise to some. Others were left pondering over its meaning, searching for clarity, and for others, it stirred unease. The Dalai Lama, which means "Ocean of Wisdom," connotes a powerful spiritual and political role for the Tibetans.

Dalai Lama's 90th birthday being held at Dharamsala,  Himachal Pradesh on Sunday, July 6, is being attended by Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju and Rajiv Ranjan as official representatives of the Government of India.

Stemming from a 500-year tradition of Dalai Lamas, Tenzin Gyatso is the 14th and contemporary Dalai Lama. Born as Lhamo Dhondup on July 6, 1935, to a farming family in the Qinghai region, he was chosen for his divine mission at the age of 2 years. He was identified by Rinpoches at the end of an elaborate process. Tibetans acknowledge him as Avalokiteshvara, the avatar of the Bodhisattva of love and compassion.

Dalai Lama being helped in moving at a public function

Following the end of the Qing Dynasty, the 13th Dalai Lama proclaimed Tibet's Independence in 1913. The was contested by the Chinese Government in Beijing.

In October 1950, China invaded Tibet and seized most of its territory. By 10 March 1959, the Chinese military forces had encircled Lhasa. The Tibetans, afraid that the Chinese government could detain the present 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, urged the family to flee.

The Dalai Lama's exile to India started on March 31, 1959, when he traveled into India via the Khenzimane Pass in Arunachal Pradesh, escorted by his family, bodyguards, and fellow Tibetans. The Indian border guards received them. Later they were formally welcomed by government officials at the Chutangmu outpost. This marked the birth of a long journey, during which the Dalai Lama would finally establish the Tibetan government-in-exile in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh.

The Dalai Lama has consistently voiced deep gratitude to India for providing him and his fellow Tibetans refuge, hailing India's secularism, he expressed, "In the field of secularism, there is no other country like India." He credits India with helping him evolve broader thoughts and perspectives, particularly after living in exile for many years.

For the last six decades, the Dalai Lama’s stature and popularity has increased manifold due to his wisdom, calm, compassionate spirit, graced with an abundant sense of humour, well depicted in famous interview with John Oliver where he claimed that he cured Mongolia of alcoholism by introducing horses’ milk which tastes like Vodka! His jocular statements often catch people off guard.  He has trained the Tibetan community to build a free and fair future. Charming, magnetic, and a seeker of world peace, he has gained universal reverence for his differentiae.

Dalai Lama receiving white scarves from devotees

With his human approach to world peace, he says,  "... I speak simply as a human being, as an upholder of the humanitarian values that are the bedrock not only of Mahayana Buddhism but of all the great world religions. From this perspective, I share with you my personal outlook - that: Universal humanitarianism is essential to solving global problems; Compassion is the pillar of world peace...."

He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 "for advocating peaceful solutions based upon tolerance and mutual respect in order to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of his people."

In a 2014 interview with the BBC, he may have stunned some of his followers when he said, “The Dalai Lama institution will cease one day. These man-made institutions will cease. There is no guarantee that some stupid won’t come next, who will disgrace himself or herself.”

In light of that comment, he was keen that the Dalai Lama institution end, where he could be the one to devolve its political authority.

He offered democracy within the community because he wanted the Tibetan community to become independent and free. While he did not believe that a religious leader should run the country, Tibetans echo that Tibet is still not free and independent, with China looming over Tibet as a powerful and militarily strong nation. Thus, the need for the next Dalai Lama is still on the cards. At 89, he accepted that there should be a 15th Dalai Lama after him. He suggested that the battle over Tibet’s future would persist long after his passing.

In the Dalai Lama's 2025 book,Over Seven Decades of Struggle With China for My Land and My People, he writes, "Since the purpose of a reincarnation is to carry on the work of the predecessor, the new Dalai Lama will be born in the free world so that the traditional mission of the Dalai Lama - that is, to be the voice for universal compassion, spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, and the symbol of Tibet embodying the aspirations of the Tibetan people will continue."

Dalai Lama with followers

In an interesting turn of events, days before his 90th birthday, the Dalai Lama announced his successor would be chosen by "free Tibetans," and the Gaden Phodrang Trust, reaffirming the continuation of the Dalai Lama institution while dismissing Chinese intervention. He had earlier said that his incarnation could be found in India.

Beijing has rejected the Dalai Lama’s statements of the Gaden Phodrang Trust, insisting that it alone has the authority to pick his successor, with its stamp of approval.

India's Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju backed the Dalai Lama's announcement. China reacted. Beijing said it hopes India will stop using Tibet issues to meddle in domestic affairs and avoid ruining the development of ties.

Later MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal explained that the government has always upheld freedom of religion for all in India and will continue to do so. He also said, "...the government of India does not take any position or speak on matters concerning beliefs and practices of faith and religion."

Reinforcing the seal of diplomacy, Kiren Rijiju, a Buddhist from Arunachal Pradesh, refused to react to China's statement and said earlier he spoke as a 'devotee'. "I do not want to react to China's statement. I speak as a devotee, I have faith in the Dalai Lama, one of those who follow the Dalai Lama wish that he decides his successor."

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As a result of the Dalai Lama's announcement of the 15th Dalai Lama, the Colosseum is open for anything to materialize after his birthday celebrations as he had declared he would share important plans for the future. Millions await his birthday speech with bated breath because the charismatic spiritual leader's words are sure to stir people and shift equations.