Dalai Lama Confirms Continuation of Tibetan Buddhist Institution After His Passing
The Dalai Lama has stated that the centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist institution will endure beyond his lifetime, putting to rest long-standing speculation that arose after he previously hinted that he might be the last to hold the position.
During prayer events in anticipation of his 90th birthday on Sunday, the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, emphasized in a recorded message that the next Dalai Lama should be identified and acknowledged in line with traditional Buddhist customs.
The Dalai Lama has maintained that his successor would be born outside of China. Authorities in Beijing, who view him as a separatist, have asserted that only the Chinese government holds the right to determine his reincarnation.
According to Tibetan Buddhist beliefs, the Dalai Lama has the ability to choose the body in which he is reborn—a process that has occurred 14 times since the institution's establishment in 1587.
Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, was recognized in 1940. He left Tibet in 1959 after Chinese forces suppressed an uprising in Lhasa, the Tibetan capital, and has since resided in exile in Dharamshala, India.
He affirmed that "the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue" and stressed that the selection of a successor must follow "past tradition."
Many Tibetan Buddhists, both within Tibet and in exile, oppose China's stringent governance over the region.
Read next
Over 1 million people gather in Madrid for outdoor mass with Pope Leo
Over one million people gathered in Madrid for an open-air mass led by Pope Leo. During the service, the American pontiff highlighted the contradiction between Christian principles and far-right ideology, stating, “No one can kneel before the Lord and despise their brother.”
Crowds began forming hours before dawn on Sunday
Xi Jinping visits Pyongyang to strengthen China-North Korea relations
Xi Jinping has begun a two-day visit to North Korea, marking his first trip to the country in nearly seven years as he seeks to strengthen relations with the ally.
Footage from the Xinhua state news agency showed the Chinese leader and his wife, Peng Liyuan, arriving at Sunan international
Denmark's mullet championship celebrates the 'beautifully ugly' and divisive hairstyle
Copenhagen recently hosted the 2026 Mullet Championship, where more than 1,000 spectators gathered on an outdoor stage to celebrate the enduring hairstyle characterized by short hair in the front and length in the back.
Twelve participants competed in the event, which was organized by 37-year-old electrician Steffen Stiw Weber.