WHO WILL BE THE NEXT LAMA?

For Tibetans, right now the major apprehension is that is there going to be the 15^th Dalai Lama or will the Dalai Lamas might soon become a part of chronicles or the legitimacy would be given to the Chinese government to choose the next dalai lama? The most prominent religious leader- “The 14^th Dalai Lama –Tenzin Gyatso” presumably the most adored except by the Chinese seeks advice from  the high lamas of the Tibetan Buddhist mores to whether the association of Dalai Lama should be continued or not. The question “WHO WILL BE THE NEXT LAMA?” has amplified the grapple against China’s intrusion in the religious beliefs.

Long time back in 1950, China invaded in Tibet and it has been facing its oppression till date. When it comes to choosing of next Lama, China is still trying to grab the opportunity so that it can have a tight grip over Tibet. Invading into holy values of a country where Dalai Lamas have been believed as the manifestation of the Buddha of Compassion and enlightened beings, Chinese authorities are not losing any opportunity to suppress the Tibetans. Thus when it comes of giving Chinese this power of selecting the next Dalai Lama, there is a major chance of brutally killing the Tibetans and finishing of the Buddhist dynasty. Traditionally, the process of reincarnation is through phowa i.e. practicing conscious dying. Upon the death of Dalai Lama and discussion with the Nechung Oracle, a search for the Lama’s yangsi, or reincarnation, is conducted. The process takes three to four years to find the next lama. Another way is that the Buddhists go to Lhamo – La – tso, a lake in the central Tibet and observe for a sign from the lake itself. Once the high lamas have found the home and the boy they deem to be the reincarnation, the boy undergoes tests to majestically legitimize the revivification. They present a number of artifacts, only few of which belong to previous Dalai Lama and if the boy chooses the items which belonged to the previous Dalai Lama, this is seen as a sign, in juxtaposition with all of the other claimed indications, that the boy is the reincarnation of the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. As rightly said,” Capitalism attacks and destroys all the finer sentiments of the human heart; it ruthlessly sweeps away old traditions and ideas opposed to its progress, and it exploits and corrupts those things once held scared.” So is it possible a country popular for its divine culture can be governed politically?

In one of the recent statements of 14^th Dalai Lama, he said that either he will choose his successor during his lifetime contrary to the traditions of choosing the lama or the line of Dalai Lama will end with him. Also he added that the next Dalai Lama will be from outside Tibet. It might be a woman as the next Dalai Lama. Whatever the statements are but one cannot politically impose things on public. If the choosing of next Dalai Lama is governed by Chinese, then it might be the campaign –“FREE TIBET’S BEYOND BELIEF” which Tibetans are following peacefully right now turns to be a massive blow for next war. According to the US state department’s 2016 report on international religious freedom, the subjugation of religious freedom in Tibet is “relentless”. Earlier also China abducted an innocent 6 years old boy who was declared as Panchen Lama , the second highest authority in Tibetan Buddhism. Till now the nation is asking his whereabouts from China but the results are zero. Due to China’s torture religious devastated in Tibet.

 The damages caused by China’s suppression cannot be counted. From Tibetan’s dead due to china’s occupation to jailing the monks and banning Dalai Lama images the list is endless. To bring more turmoil, more desolation and corruption one can handover the power to Chinese but here comes is this not a way of nailing down Tibetan’s religious freedom.

The position is right now that Tibetans cannot wait for  the next deemed to be Dalai Lama through their traditional process as it will take time and in that time China will try to suppress them.  Already the country is working on different campaigns to fight against China’s cruelty. For a safer side, Tibetans should find a figurehead till that time. During this duration they can work upon the next Lama. Otherwise China will find one and ruin up all the efforts of 13^th and 14^th Dalai Lama which contributed in making Tibet an independent nation.  It was the 13^th Dalai Lama – “Thubten Gyatso” who began to reform Tibet. He survived both the invasions of Chinese and British and after his death, Tibet already in a phase of modernization was able to achieve freedom and till date it’s because of the current Dalai Lama’s popularity and piousness, Tibet is able to fight against China’s repression.

Ultimately one can say Tibet has the right to determine their own future. No other country should be given this supreme power to tell what should be done. Also the religious beliefs which are enrooted in every country cannot be compressed by any other nation or any individual. If this time one does not stand for Tibetans’ rights then one cannot save Tibet from oppression of China. Also the question of choosing the next Dalai Lama will remain just a question if the power is handed over to China.  The next Dalai Lama can only be born in a free nation as said by current Dalai Lama and the rituals followed should be continued. Otherwise the decline of Dalai Lama lineage is finish.