The Dalai Lama plans to
retire from political life over the next six months, a spokesman said
today, thus reiterating what the leader of Tibetan Buddhism said two
days ago in an interview with an Indian TV network.
The 76-year-old spiritual leader, who fled
Chinese-occupied Tibet in 1959, wants to step down in order to return to
his homeland as an ordinary citizen.
The current 14th Dalai Lama, who
wants to die on the “roof of the world”, is not likely to convince the
Chinese to grant him this wish.
Tenzin Gyatso, which is the short form of the Dalai
Lama’s full religious name, wants all political decision regarding Tibet
to be taken by the Tibetan parliament-in-exile based in Dharamsala,
northern India.
The Noble Prize laureate has not played any political
role in the government for several years.
“Since 2001 we have put in
place a political leadership in exile,” he said.
“The major decisions
are taken by the elected political leadership. So in order to utilise
fully democracy, I felt better not to involve myself in any sort of
these works.”
When asked about the continuation of the institution
of the Dalai Lama, he said, “If my death comes in the next few years,
then I think most probably the concerned people, including the Mongolian
people and the Buddhists living in the Himalayan range, will keep this
institution.”
China is not likely to welcome the Dalai Lama’s views.
Years ago, it abducted Gedhun Choekyi, the Panchen Lama (second highest
figure in Tibetan Buddhism) appointed by the government-in-exile,
replacing him with someone of its own choosing. Now Chinese authorities
hope to do the same with the next Dalai Lama.
To avoid such a possibility, the Buddhist leader has
suggested another way. “If the Tibetan people really want to keep the
Dalai Lama institution, [. . .] there is [the] possibility to have a
deputy Dalai Lama carry forward my work of promotion of religious
harmony and human values.”
How it would be called, he does not know but
he is certain that it ought to continue his work.
Because of China’s occupation, finding his
reincarnation will be hard to do in Tibet itself. Years ago, the Dalai
lama made it clear that if he died outside Tibet, “logically the
reincarnation will appear outside Tibet”.
SIC: AN/INT'L