Recognition of new Dalai Lama must be conducted in Dharamsala, India
The detailed account of the search for the reincarnations of the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama, who hold No1 and No2 positions in Tibetan Buddhism is well documented world over. It is emphasized that this religious ritual has been always been supervised by the Tibetan Government which since 1960 is functioning in exile in Dharmsala, India.
However China which has illegally and forcibly occupied Tibet is bent upon conducting the procedure to search for the next Dalai Lama.
However, a few days ago, an organization in Japan “warned China not to interfere in Tibetan religious matters, including the selection of high Tibetan lamas.” This totally supports the Tibetans and exposes China’s ignorance of history and knowledge of Tibetan religious policy.
Present Chinese Communist Party has laid claim on Dalai Lama just because in 1653, the 5th Dalai Lama visited Beijing, and met the Chinese Emperor Shunzhi officially. This marked the first time that the Dalai Lama had visited China. In 1713, the Emperor Kangxi also sent an imperial commissioner to visit the the 5th Panchen Lama at the Tashilhunpo Monastery, the residence of the Panchen Lama in Xigatze, Tibet.
Just on the basis of these two incidents the “great” Chinese Communist Party has started laying historical claims that the reincarnations of both the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama must be approved by the Government of China, providing it with self claimed legitimacy.
In 2007, the Communists formulated the Measures on the Management of the Reincarnation of Living Buddhas of Tibetan Buddhism. The Communists thought this falsehood would work and that the reincarnation of Living Buddhas will be as per their whims and fancy.
Therefore, no matter which influential Living Buddha he is, his reincarnation must follow the convention as decided by Dalai Lama himself.
India is the birthplace of Tibetan Buddhism and the Living Budhha is a Tibetan. So the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama must be carried out by Dalai Lama and his own government in exile. Furthermore, any religious affairs are part of Tibet’s domestic affairs, so it must be done in accordance with Tibetan Laws as decided by Tibetan Govt in exile.
Just as the 11th Panchen Lama said, “The reincarnation system of Tibetan Buddhism not only serves the religion, but also serves society, so it must be in line with the needs of social progress.”
