The 14th Dalai Lama, in an interview with German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, said the Tibetan tradition of the incarnation system could end until him. Qin Yongzhang, a researcher from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences recently published an article to analyze the reasons why the Dalai Lama said so on Global Times.

"Historically, the reincarnation system of the Dalai Lama was never restricted to the religious affairs or his personal affairs. Tibetan Buddhism's reincarnation system with a history of five centuries cannot be canceled by the 14th Dalai Lama's one sentence", said Qin.

Do not want to see the next Dalai Lama selected in China?

It is well known that the living Buddha reincarnation system is unique in Tibetan Buddhism with a history of near 500 years. In the long historical process, the reincarnation of the Tibetan Buddhism has formed a complete set of procedures and strict religious rituals, according to Qin.

Chinese ordinance stipulated that the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama and other Living Buddhas had to follow the procedure of "drawing lots from the golden urn", and the selected candidate would be subject to the approval by the central authorities of China. The establishment of "drawing lots from the golden urn" makes the central government to hold the ultimate authority of the living Buddha reincarnation system.

"If the 14th Dalai Lama once passed away, the central government should follow the traditional ritual and historical convention of Tibetan Buddhism, then a new Dalai Lama would be selected in China", said Qin, "The Dalai Lama would not want to see this result".

The Dalai Lama nearly has made several kinds of speeches about his reincarnation issue. He stated previously that he may not be reborn in China, and he may be reincarnated to be a man or a woman, even a bee perhaps. "He said this in attempt to change the traditional way of reincarnation, deliberately to bring difficulties to the central government".

In addition, the "Tibet issue" has increasingly been marginalized in the world. Last week, the Dalai Lama canceled a visit to South Africa after encountering visa troubles, which international media suggested was a sign that Pretoria desires closer trade ties with China more than the presence of the Dalai Lama at a conference. "Feeling constantly anxious, the Dalai Lama hyped the topic of reincarnation to remind the international community not to forget the 'Tibet issue'".

Play "last card"

Aljazeera America said, "With his comments in the German media, it appears that the Dalai Lama may be playing one of his last cards, one that is both religious and political".

The Dalai Lama announced in March,2011 that he would give up his political role in the Tibetan "government-in-exile" and shift that power to an "elected leader".

However, the Aljazeera America continued to say, "It appears that the Dalai Lama remains politically invested in Tibet's future".

China tells Dalai Lama to respect reincarnation

The Chinese government has also warned the Dalai Lama he has no right to abandon the tradition of reincarnation.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said, "China follows a policy of freedom of religion and belief, and this naturally includes having to respect and protect the ways of passing on Tibetan Buddhism. The title of the Dalai Lama was conferred by the central government with hundreds of years of history. The (current) 14th Dalai Lama has ulterior motive that is seeking to distort and negate history, which is harmful to the normal order of Tibetan Buddhism."

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Reincarnation of the Dalai Lama

Origin of "drawing lots from the golden urn"