Reincarnation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama : CTA Statement

By Staff Reporter / September 30, 2022;

The Kashag (Cabinet) of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), also known as the Tibetan Government-in Exile, has issued a statement on the position of the reincarnation of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. The Kashag stated that the Chinese government introduced a law, Management Measures for the Reincarnation of Living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism, in 2007 which takes the control over administration of all monastic institutions, including complete power to recognise reincarnated Lamas and Living Buddhas.

The issue of the reincarnation of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has been a concern among Tibetan communities both inside and outside Tibet. CTA’s Kashag office expressed their need to present this Position Paper for everyone’s information as following :

The Kashag has the firm belief that His Holiness will live to the ripe age of 113 as per propitious prescient and the repeated assurances of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.
The system of recognising reincarnated spiritual beings is a religious practice unique to Tibetan Buddhism. The fundamental thought behind this philosophy is to accept the principle of life after death.
While extending our sincere appreciation and thankfulness to those freedom-loving democratic countries around the world, including the United States of America, for their complete endorsement of His Holiness’s thoughts on this matter, we will pursue with due diligence to obtain similar support from as many like-minded countries as possible.
With regards to the reincarnation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, His Holiness’s repeated statements since 1969, the official pronouncement of September 24, 2011, or any guidance in future is inherently discretionary. No government nor any individual has the right to interfere in this matter.
This religious activity has to be conducted as per the responsibilities that His Holiness the Dalai Lama enshrines and entrusts. We have full confidence in the leadership of the Central Tibetan Administration at the time to take responsibility as entrusted.
The Kashag is in the process of working on other related matters that need to be addressed concerning this issue.