Dalai Lama slams China’s interference in picking his religious successor

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Lhasa, July 2: The Dalai Lama has said that China cannot decide who succeeds him as the leader of Tibetan Buddhists, and called Beijing’s meddling in the issue “a disgrace”.

He made it clear that as far as his own rebirth is concerned, he, and no one else will make that final decision.

“One thing I want to make clear, as far as my own rebirth is concerned, the final authority is myself and no one else, and obviously not China’s Communists,” the Independent quoted the Dalai Lama, as saying.

The Tibetan spiritual leader will be 76 next week and is preparing people for his death, in an effort to stop his homeland’s Chinese rulers from seizing on a leadership vacuum.

As a part of planning for his eventual death, the Dalai Lama gave up his role as Tibet’s political leader in favour of an elected exile government in May.

He has said the next Dalai Lama, who would be the 15th incarnation of the spiritual leader, will be born in exile.

China has, however, said that the Dalai Lama will be reincarnated in Chinese-controlled Tibet and has accused the current Dalai Lama of violating religious tradition. (ANI)