Dalai Lama Turns 90, Reaffirms Global Influence and Rejects China’s Control Over His Successor
Marking his 90th birthday, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama was celebrated around the world not only for his spiritual leadership but for taking a bold stand against China’s attempts to control the succession process of Tibetan Buddhism’s highest figure.
The celebration, held in Dharamshala, India, where the Dalai Lama has lived in exile since 1959, brought together thousands of Tibetans, global supporters, and political allies. But beyond the prayers and tributes, the Dalai Lama used this historic milestone to make one thing clear: his reincarnation will not be chosen by the Chinese government.
🎉 Celebrations Amid Storms – And Political Thunder
Despite heavy monsoon rains, crowds gathered in front of the Tsuglagkhang Temple in Dharamshala, chanting mantras and waving prayer flags. Diplomats from the U.S., Europe, and Japan attended, along with celebrity supporters like Richard Gere. Videos from world leaders—including Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush—poured in, hailing the Dalai Lama as a global beacon of peace, resilience, and freedom.
🧘♂️ Dalai Lama Declares Independence Over His Legacy
In a landmark statement, the Dalai Lama confirmed that his Gaden Phodrang Trust will oversee the process of identifying his next reincarnation, based solely on Tibetan spiritual tradition, not government interference.
“Only the Tibetan people and Buddhist tradition have the authority to recognize the next Dalai Lama,” he declared, directly rejecting Beijing’s claim that it holds legal authority over the reincarnation process.
China, unsurprisingly, denounced the statement, citing its “historical rights” to manage the appointment through its Golden Urn system—a centuries-old practice China now uses to claim religious control over Tibet.
🌐 Global Support and Diplomatic Tensions Rise
Support from major world powers quickly followed the Dalai Lama’s message.
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India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent public congratulations, calling the Dalai Lama a “moral compass for the world.”
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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio reiterated America’s support for Tibet’s right to religious autonomy, warning China against political interference.
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European Union representatives issued a joint statement recognizing the Dalai Lama’s right to preserve Tibetan spiritual succession without external influence.
⚖️ Human Rights Groups Join In
Activists and rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch and the International Campaign for Tibet used the birthday to renew calls for global pressure on Beijing, condemning:
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Cultural suppression in Tibet
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Forced assimilation policies
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Political imprisonment of Tibetan monks and educators
📌 What It Means for Tibet’s Future
As the Dalai Lama reaches this milestone age, the question of his succession becomes increasingly urgent—and politically sensitive. His firm stance sends a clear message to both Beijing and the international community: Tibetan identity and spirituality cannot be controlled by force or policy.
For millions of followers and freedom advocates, the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday is more than a celebration—it’s a reaffirmation of Tibet’s unyielding will to survive and stay spiritually free.
