Dalai Lama Reaffirms Continuation of His Reincarnation Lineage at Major Tibetan Religious Conference in Dharamshala
DHARAMSHALA, July 2, 2025 — In a historic and spiritually significant announcement, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has formally declared that the revered institution of the Dalai Lama will continue, and that the authority to recognize his reincarnation will rest solely with the Gaden Phodrang Trust, the official Office of the Dalai Lama.
The statement was delivered through a pre-recorded video message on the opening day of the 15th Tibetan Religious Conference, which commenced on Tuesday at the Dalai Lama Library and Archives in Dharamshala, India. The three-day gathering, organized by the Department of Religion and Culture of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), brought together over 180 prominent Tibetan Buddhist leaders and representatives from the major schools of Tibetan Buddhism—including Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, and Gelug—as well as the Bon tradition.
Clear Mandate on Reincarnation Process
“I am affirming that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue,” said His Holiness in the address, emphasizing that the responsibility to recognize his reincarnation lies solely with the Gaden Phodrang Trust. “No one else has any authority to interfere in this sacred process,” he firmly reiterated.
The Dalai Lama stressed that the procedure for identifying his successor had already been publicly articulated in his 24 September 2011 statement, which outlines a traditional process rooted in historical and spiritual legitimacy. According to this framework, the Office of the Dalai Lama, in consultation with the heads of the four major Tibetan Buddhist traditions and Dharma Protectors associated with the Dalai Lama lineage, will oversee the recognition of his next incarnation.
Reaffirmation of the 2011 Guidelines
His Holiness revisited his 2011 statement, which emphasized transparency, spiritual consultation, and the collective will of Tibetan Buddhist leadership in the event of his passing. The 2011 guidelines also specify that political interference—particularly by the Chinese government—will not be recognized as legitimate or valid.
“As early as 1969, I had already made it clear that the continuation of the Dalai Lama lineage should be decided by the Tibetan people and concerned followers,” the Nobel Peace Laureate said, reflecting on his lifelong commitment to democratizing the Tibetan spiritual and political leadership.
He shared that over the past 14 years, he has received persistent appeals from Tibetan leaders in exile, monastics, elected representatives, and lay communities—especially from within occupied Tibet as well as from Mongolia, Russia, China, and Himalayan Buddhist regions—urging him to ensure the continuity of the institution of the Dalai Lama.
Conference to Shape Future Course of Tibetan Buddhism
The 15th Tibetan Religious Conference, which runs through July 4, brings together 121 senior monastic leaders from India, Nepal, and Bhutan. It is one of the most significant religious assemblies organized by the CTA and is held periodically to deliberate on matters affecting the faith, monastic discipline, and the collective direction of Tibetan Buddhism in exile and beyond.
This year’s gathering is especially significant as it precedes the upcoming 90th birthday of His Holiness the Dalai Lama on July 6, when thousands of Tibetans, international devotees, and dignitaries are expected to join celebrations in Dharamshala and across the world.
Political and Spiritual Context
The Dalai Lama’s declaration arrives at a time when the Chinese Communist Party has intensified claims that it will appoint the next Dalai Lama, despite international criticism and widespread rejection of any state-appointed religious figure.
The Gaden Phodrang reaffirmation is thus not only a spiritual proclamation but also a geopolitical statement underscoring the religious sovereignty of Tibetan Buddhism. The CTA, in line with the Dalai Lama’s statement, has maintained that any recognition made under Chinese state influence will be considered invalid and politically motivated.
