BY: JIANLI YANG
July 6 marks the 90th birthday of the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso—a milestone not only of personal longevity but of profound historical consequence. As the revered spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism enters his tenth decade, the question of who will succeed him looms with deep urgency. This is no ordinary religious matter; it is a battle for the survival of a culture, a faith, and a people. And beyond that, it is a test for humanity. If the world stands by while the cultural identity of Tibet is erased under authoritarian control, we will lose more than a civilization—we will lose a source of wisdom, tolerance, and moral clarity that has long served as a quiet guide for our shared future.
As a Chinese person, I have been taught to believe in national unity and the narrative of progress under a strong central state. But I have also come to see the importance of confronting truths that lie beyond official lines. Tibet is not merely a territory within a map—it is a living civilization with a rich spiritual tradition that has endured through centuries. At the heart of that tradition stands the Dalai Lama—not as a political agitator, but as a symbol of peace, resilience, and cultural continuity. His consistent advocacy of the “middle way”—seeking genuine autonomy for Tibet within China rather than full independence—has been met not with dialogue, but with repression.
The Chinese Communist Party’s ambition to control the Dalai Lama’s succession reveals the essence of its project in Tibet. It is not concerned with religion, but with power. By appointing its own Dalai Lama—a child chosen under Party supervision—it aims to manufacture legitimacy while hollowing out the institution from within. Such a figure would wear the robes but lack the spiritual lineage, moral authority, and community trust that the true Dalai Lama commands. It would be a tragic parody, and a tool of political domination dressed in sacred cloth.
The current Dalai Lama, aware of this danger, has taken an extraordinary step. He has indicated that he may name his successor during his lifetime—and crucially, that the child may be born outside of Tibet, beyond the reach of the Chinese state. This decision challenges centuries of tradition, but it is a bold act of spiritual preservation. It seeks to safeguard the soul of Tibetan Buddhism from being absorbed into the machinery of state control.
For Tibetans—especially the more than 140,000 living in exile—this question is deeply personal. The Dalai Lama is not only their religious leader but also the living thread that connects them to a homeland many have never seen. His presence has helped preserve their identity, culture, and hope. The fear that the CCP may succeed in imposing a rival Dalai Lama is real—and with it, the fear of internal division, disorientation, and cultural erosion.
Source: https://www.yibao.net/2025/07/05/the-dalai-lamas-90th-birthday-and-the-battle-for-tibets-soul/