Major Setback for China: Dalai Lama Reaffirms Continuation of His Institution, Declares China Has No Role in Successor's Recognition

In a major diplomatic rebuke to China's continued attempts to influence Tibetan religious succession, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama has officially reaffirmed that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue—and China has no role or authority in the selection of his successor.

Major setback to China.
China has no role in the process of institution of the Dalai Lama. https://t.co/ykIrzMevTF

— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) July 2, 2025

In a powerful public statement translated from Tibetan and issued from Dharamshala, the Dalai Lama reiterated a stance first discussed in 2011, when he delegated the authority to decide on the future of the Dalai Lama institution to the Tibetan people and Buddhist leaders. After receiving consistent appeals over the past 14 years from Tibetans in exile and within Tibet, as well as Buddhist communities in the Himalayan region, Mongolia, Russia, China, and across Asia, he has now confirmed that the spiritual lineage will continue beyond his current life.

“I am affirming that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue,” the Dalai Lama stated.

“The Gaden Phodrang Trust has sole authority to recognize the future reincarnation; no one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter.”

This is seen as a direct challenge to Beijing, which has long claimed it will appoint the next Dalai Lama, a move widely condemned by Tibetan Buddhists and human rights groups as illegitimate and a form of state control over religion.

Gaden Phodrang Trust to Lead Future Selection

The Dalai Lama made it unequivocally clear that the Office of His Holiness, operating under the Gaden Phodrang Trust, will alone oversee the process of finding and recognizing his reincarnation. The process will involve consultation with high Lamas, Tibetan Buddhist leaders, and Dharma Protectors—as per established traditions.

This reiteration comes after widespread appeals from both the Tibetan exile community and Tibetans inside Tibet, urging the continuation of the spiritual office as a symbol of unity, resistance, and faith.

Why This Statement Matters

The timing of the Dalai Lama’s declaration is crucial. It comes amid growing geopolitical tensions and China’s increasing crackdown on Tibetan religious and cultural identity, especially in light of Beijing’s clear ambition to control the appointment of all top Buddhist positions within Tibet.

By reaffirming that Beijing has no part to play in the succession, the Dalai Lama has set the stage for a major spiritual, political, and international confrontation over the future of Tibetan leadership.

Human rights activists and Tibetan organizations have welcomed the statement, calling it a bold assertion of religious independence and a clear roadmap to protect Tibetan spiritual heritage from external interference.

Global Reactions Awaited

As the news spreads globally, all eyes will be on how China responds. Meanwhile, the Tibetan diaspora and Buddhist communities across the globe have expressed relief and support for the Dalai Lama’s stance, viewing it as a preservation of faith and sovereignty in the face of political pressure.

The reaffirmation of the Dalai Lama’s institution is expected to play a key role in shaping the future of Tibetan identity, both spiritually and politically, for generations to come.