Tibetan leader: Next Dalai Lama 鈥榗ould be anybody鈥�
Penpa Tsering says attempts to interfere in the selection would create a 鈥榣ifelong problem鈥� for China
An attempt by China to interfere in the selection process of the next Dalai Lama would create 鈥榓 lifelong problem鈥� for Beijing, says the leader of the self-declared Tibetan government-in-exile.
Speaking to the 大象传媒鈥檚 HARDtalk programme, Penpa Tsering warned: 鈥業f China decides to choose one and the Tibetans decide to choose one, I tell the Chinese government: 鈥榙o you want a lifelong problem on your hands?鈥�
The president of the Central Tibetan Administration said: 鈥業 keep telling my Chinese friends鈥︹�楲et us see whether his holiness the Dalai Lama outlives the Communist Party or the Communist Party outlives the Dalai Lama.
The Dalai Lama is the spiritual figurehead of Tibetans and the current reincarnation is regarded as a dangerous, separatist figure by China which governs Tibet as an autonomous region. He fled to India in 1959 where he lives alongside thousands of Tibetan exiles. China has been accused of widespread human rights abuses in Tibet but has always vociferously denied any wrongdoing.
According to Tibetan Buddhist tradition, the spirit of a deceased Lama is reborn in a child. When asked if, because of the significant political importance of the role, the Dalai Lama would consider naming an adult, a woman, or a non-Tibetan successor, Tsering said 鈥楾hose options are still open鈥�. He added: 鈥業t need not need be a Tibetan. If His Holiness is reborn in India then he will be called Indian. If he鈥檚 reborn in America then he鈥檒l be American鈥�.
