- विज्ञापन -
New Delhi: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has stated that the next Dalai Lama will come from a free and democratic country, and certainly not from China. He mentioned that the process of selecting the new Dalai Lama begins only after the current one passes away. He also expressed hope and prayed that the 14th Dalai Lama will live for another 40 years.
Khandu highlighted that the Dalai Lama’s health is good, and during his 90th birthday celebration, His Holiness mentioned he might live up to 130 years. As a Buddhist and follower of the Dalai Lama, Khandu said he is unaware of the specific process for selecting the next Dalai Lama, but assured there are established procedures and rules. He emphasized that it’s pointless to speculate about where the next Dalai Lama will be born—whether in India, Tibet, or elsewhere—but clarified that it will be in a free world.
When asked if he meant the next Dalai Lama would not come from China, Khandu affirmed, “Yes, definitely not from China because there is no democracy there.” He explained that the next Dalai Lama could be born anywhere democracy exists, where people can freely express their views.
He also noted that China does not recognize the Dalai Lama institution and questioned why China objects to the succession process. Khandu stated that the institution is mainly recognized in the Himalayan region and by Tibetan Buddhists, with no role for China in it.
The chief minister said the search for the 15th Dalai Lama will only begin after the current Dalai Lama passes away, and there is no rush in this process. He mentioned that the Dalai Lama institution has existed for over 600 years, from its first Dalai Lama to the current 14th, and that religious leaders from various Buddhist traditions have confirmed that the institution will continue. He also noted the speculation about whether the next Dalai Lama could be a woman.
