The 14th Dalai Lama’s recent statement reaffirming that the institution of the Dalai Lama will endure and that the Gaden Phodrang Trust, which was founded by the Tibetan spiritual leader, is the only body with the power to decide his future reincarnation has received strong support from the Himalaya Suraksha Manch unit in Arunachal Pradesh.
The organization praised the Dalai Lama’s hard stance as a critical reaffirmation of spiritual sovereignty and cultural preservation, according to a statement released by the Manch Tarh Tarak’s secretary general and state unit president, Nima Sangey Saling.
The Manch referred to the Dalai Lama’s statement as “bold and timely,” asserting that no government or outside force has the authority to meddle in this sacred process.
The Manch strongly criticized a recent statement by Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, who insisted that the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation must adhere to the Qing dynasty-era “golden urn” system and be approved by the Chinese government. The statement condemned attempts by foreign powers to politicize spiritual traditions.
The Manch criticized Beijing’s efforts as an attack on religious freedom and called the assertion “baseless and politically motivated.” They claimed that reincarnation is a spiritual issue that is only controlled by Tibetan Buddhist institutions led by the Dalai Lama.
According to the Manch, millions of Tibetan Buddhists in the Himalayan region, including those in Arunachal Pradesh, Ladakh, and Sikkim, are highly offended by such intervention, which also transgresses international standards.
With a renewed commitment to the Gaden Phodrang Trust and the Tibetan people, the organization commended the Dalai Lama for his “unwavering leadership, boundless compassion, and moral clarity.” Additionally, it called on the international community—especially democratic countries and people who value peace—to support Tibet and oppose authoritarian governments’ involvement with religion. “The Tibetan people own Tibet. The declaration came to the conclusion that the Tibetan spiritual community alone is responsible for the Dalai Lama’s future.
