Reincarnation debate gathers pace as Dalai Lama turns 86

As the highest spiritual leader of Tibet, the 14th Dalai Lama turns 86 today, the debate over who will be chosen as his successor has gathered pace writes Nishant Sharma, News Editor, ETV Bharat.

Hyderabad: July 6th marks an important day for Tibetans across the world as they celebrate the birthday of Tenzin Gyatso popularly known as his holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. As his holiness turns 86 this year, Tibetans prepare to celebrate his birthday with prayers for his good health and hope to see a free Tibet under his leadership. Dalai Lama holds not only an important place in the hearts of Tibetans but is also close to India and its people. His holiness currently resides in the foothills of the Himalayas in the northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. There are very few people who have had such an influence in the world.

Born on July 6, 1935, to a small farming family in northeastern Tibet’s small hamlet located in Takster Amdo. He belongs to the most influential and largest tradition in Tibet known as the Gelugpa tradition. Dalai Lama has been residing in India’s Dharamshala after he fled from Tibet during the 1959 Tibetan uprising. In the 1950's when China decided to bring Tibet officially under Chinese Control, Tibetans revolted demanding an end to Chinese rule. This revolt was crushed by Chinese troops and thousands were massacred.

Read:'China should have no role in succession process of Dalai Lama'

Though his Holiness the Dalai Lama managed to escape from Tibet, he continued with his mission of free Tibet by establishing a democratically based shadow Tibetan government known as the Tibetan Government in Exile. For many years Dalai Lama has been seen as a force and motivation for those who have been fighting for a free Tibet but questions about his successor become more complicated with each passing year.

Dalai Lama follows the Buddhist belief in reincarnation, so he can choose the next body in which he reincarnates. The person found will then be the next Dalai Lama. There are three different ways of finding the person who will be the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama.

How is Dalai Lama chosen?

• A monk dreaming of the place will identify the child who will be the new reincarnation
• The monks consult an oracle lake in the Tibetan highlands. Here they meditate and wait for the lake to direct them. The 14th Dalai Lama was recognised this way when he was only 2-yrs-old.
• The third way is to trace the smoke from the cremation of the dead Dalai Lama to the child’s location.

What happens after selection?

Following identification of the child who could be the reincarnation of Dalai Lama, the child is shown several artefacts. Some of these belong to the previous Dalai Lama. If the boy makes the right choice, then he will be considered the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama.

Read:Dalai Lama takes first dose, appeals to get COVID-19 jab