Dalai Lama Successor Row: Why the ‘Golden Urn’ Is at the Heart of China-Tibet Clash

Dalai Lama Successor Row: On Wednesday, China made a statement: Dalai Lama reincarnation as the successor needs to be “approved by the central government” following the Tibetan spiritual leader in which he would have a reincarnated successor.

Back in 1959, when Tenzin Gyatso (14th Dalai Lama) ditched his native place Lhasa in fear, he was only 23 years of age. Although, he managed to escape, Chinese forces occupied Tibet.

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The focus of the Tibetans to maintain their cultural identity has since been the world face courtesy of Dalai Lama, the Nobel Peace Prize holder, who has become one of the symbols of peace and non-violence in the world.

On Wednesday, he added weight to the tradition of 600 years of the Dalai Lama that gave hope to many Tibetans who were worried about their religious and cultural leadership.

Disciples of Dalai Lama also commend him on attempts to achieve greater autonomy of Tibet which is a large high-altitude Chinese province of the size of South Africa.

China which views the incumbent Dalai Lama as a separatist has claimed that no other party than Beijing has the mandate of determining the heir of the current Dalai Lama.

“The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, the Panchen Lama and other great Buddhist figures must be chosen by drawing lots from a golden urn, and approved by the central government,” said foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning at a regular press briefing, In reference to a method of selection initiated by an emperor of the Qing dynasty during the 18 th century.

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China says rules in place for reincarnation of Tibetan spiritual leaders

“The Chinese government implements a policy of freedom of religious belief, but there are regulations on religious affairs and methods for managing the reincarnation of Tibetan living Buddhas,” Mao added.

On Wednesday, in his defence of China religious policies, Mao opined that the bid to mould religious practices to conform to Chinese traditions was not its restriction. The survival and flourishing of any religion consists in adjusting to the social environment and culture traditions of the country ”.

“Tibetan Buddhism was born in China and carries Chinese characteristics,” she said.

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