Dalai Lama to Address Key Buddhist Meet Ahead of 90th Birthday Amid Succession Debate
The Dalai Lama will address a major three-day Buddhist gathering this week, days before his 90th birthday on July 6. The event, attended by over 100 Tibetan Buddhist leaders, will be closely watched as followers await clarity on his succession a move likely to irk China.
Beijing, which sees the Dalai Lama as a separatist, insists it will select his successor. However, the Dalai Lama has urged rejection of any candidate chosen by China and hinted his reincarnation may be found outside the country, possibly in India.
Tibetan officials say China is trying to politicize the institution of the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation. Deputy Speaker Dolma Tsering Teykhang stressed the need for global awareness, accusing Beijing of interfering in spiritual matters.
The Dalai Lama, living in exile in Dharamshala since 1959, has transferred his political duties to an elected government-in-exile since 2011.
Hollywood actor Richard Gere is expected to attend the event, which marks the first such religious conference since 2019.
