Dalai Lama's claims of reincarnation contested

The Buddhist Association of China issued a statement on Thursday on the recent claims made by the 14th Dalai Lama regarding his reincarnation.

According to the association's statement, the 14th Dalai Lama recently released the so-called "Statement Affirming the Continuation of the Institution of Dalai Lama", which violates the precepts and makes false claims regarding his reincarnation.

Starting from the 5th Dalai Lama, all successive holders of the title have been conferred by China's central government, which is the source of the religious status and historical legitimacy of the Dalai Lama title, the association said.

The central government has the right to make the final decision on the reincarnation, which is by no means subject to the 14th Dalai Lama's individual discretion, it said.

Throughout the historical process of searching for the spiritual successors of the Dalai Lama, a complete set of traditional religious rituals and historical conventions has been developed.

Since the establishment of the lot-drawing ceremony from the golden urn, the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama has required adherence to the "drawing lots from the golden urn" procedure, with the selected candidate subject to approval by the central government, according to the association's statement.

This process is the only way for the selected candidate to earn public credibility and religious authority, it said.

Moreover, the National Religious Affairs Administration has issued the Measures on the Management of the Reincarnation of Living Buddhas of Tibetan Buddhism, which strictly govern all reincarnation procedures for Living Buddhas, including the Dalai Lama, the statement added.

Xinhua