Barely six months after renouncing the political leadership of the exiled Tibetans,the 14th Dalai Lama,Tenzin Gyatso (76),on Saturday left a question mark on his reincarnation as well,saying the issue of reincarnation would not be decided before he turned 90 and even then it would only happen if the High Lamas and the Tibetans at large felt the need for it at that time. However,he also made it clear that if his reincarnation happened,he would be the one who would be leaving clear instructions on it and China would not decide on the issue. On March 14,2011,he had announced that the Dalai Lama would only be the spiritual head of the exiled Tibetans and cease to be their political head. When I am about 90,I will consult the High Lamas of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions,the Tibetan public and other people concerned who follow Tibetan Buddhism and re-evaluate whether the institution of the Dalai Lama should continue or not. On that basis we will take a decision. If it is decided that the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama should continue and there is a need for the Fifteenth Dalai Lama to be recognised,responsibility for doing so will primarily rest on the officers concerned of the Dalai Lamas Gaden Phodrang Trust. They should consult the various heads of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions and the reliable oath-bound Dharma Protectors who are linked inseparably to the lineage of the Dalai Lamas. They should seek advice and direction from these concerned beings and carry out the procedures of search and recognition in accordance with past tradition. I shall leave clear written instructions about this, the Dalai Lama said in an official statement released by his office on Saturday evening. Concluding a three-day meeting of Tibetan Buddhist religious heads at Dharamsala,the Dalai Lama,in his written statement,said,Bear in mind that,apart from the reincarnation recognised through such legitimate methods,no recognition or acceptance should be given to a candidate chosen for political ends by anyone,including those in the Peoples Republic of China. The Chinese government in February this year had formulated a law banning the reincarnation of any Lama,unless permitted by the government. Reacting to the Chinese governments policy of taking over the reincarnation process,the Dalai Lama said,Reincarnation is a phenomenon which should take place either through the voluntary choice of the person concerned or at least on the strength of his or her karma,merit and prayers. Therefore,the person who reincarnates has sole legitimate authority over where and how he or she takes rebirth and how that reincarnation is to be recognised. It is particularly inappropriate for Chinese communists,who explicitly reject even the idea of past and future lives,let alone the concept of reincarnate Tulkus (an extremely high ranking Lama,who can choose the manner of his/her rebirth),to meddle in the system of reincarnation and especially the reincarnations of the Dalai Lamas and Panchen Lamas. The Dalai Lama added that in the absence of any clear guidelines,should the concerned public expresses a strong wish for the Dalai Lamas to continue,there is an obvious risk of vested political interests,misusing the reincarnation system to fulfil their own political agenda. Therefore,while I remain physically and mentally fit,it seems important to me that we draw up clear guidelines to recognise the next Dalai Lama,so that there is no room for doubt or deception.
