Delhi (AsiaNews) - The current Dalai Lama "will not be the last. He is considering a different way of choosing his reincarnation than the traditional method of looking for a young child based on prophecies. The Dalai Lama's ideas include electing a successor through voting similar to the selection process of popes of the Roman Catholic Church or he would leave a written instruction before he passes away".
This is according to Tenzin Gyatso, the XIV leader of Tibetan Buddhism, in an interview with the Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun. The spiritual leader denies reports - published by a German newspaper which have made global headlines - that he would be the last of the Dalai Lama.
The Nobel Peace Laureate explains: "In 2011, I completely retired from political responsibility. China in the past was more concerned because the Dalai Lama had some political significance. Now no longer," he said. "As early as '69, I formally stated that whether the very (religious) institution of the Dalai Lama should continue or not is up to the Tibetan people."
Regarding the misunderstood statements, his secretary, "the Dalai Lama said that a 600 year old tradition could easily end up with a popular leader, and that it would be better that way rather than see it end up in disgrace. But he never said that he would be the last. "
Rather, Tenzin Taklha adds, "His Holiness the Dalai Lama is gravely concerned that the Chinese government will choose someone whom it can control as his successor. He also said the Dalai Lama is considering a different way of choosing his reincarnation than the traditional method of looking for a young child based on prophecies. The Dalai Lama's ideas include electing a successor through voting similar to the selection process of popes of the Roman Catholic Church or he would leave a written instruction before he passes away".
