The Dalai Lama to reveal succession plans as he celebrates 90

A burning question for Tibetans

As the Dalai Lama turns 90 on July 6, the burning question of who will succeed him is at the forefront of the minds of Tibetans living both inside and outside of their country which was occupied by China in 1950.

Uncertain fate

There is fear among this disenfranchised people that without a leader, they will struggle for continued recognition as a nation.

A fingers-crossed scenario

“We are hoping for the best but preparing for the worst,” Tsering Yangchen, a member of Tibet’s parliament in exile, told the New York Times.

Breaking with tradition

The Dalai Lama has the matter in hand. As he wrote in his book “Voice for the Voiceless: Over Seven Decades of Struggle with China for My Land and My People”, his successor will come from outside of what is now China, may be a grow person and not necessarily a man.

A product of the free world

"Since the purpose of a reincarnation is to carry on the work of the predecessor, the new Dalai Lama will be born in the free world," he said.

An early start

Recognized as the 14th Dalai Lama when he was just two years old, the Dalai Lama’s training was cut short to avoid the Chinese taking advantage of the power vacuum, making him the spiritual and political leader of all Tibetans at the tender age of 16.

Power vacuum to be avoided

The gap between recognition and taking the reins will need to be shorter for his successor, according to Lobsang Tenzin.

A potential "disaster"

A similar gap would be “a disaster”, the Tibetan educator, also known as the Samdhong Rinpoche, told the New York Times.

The 1959 exodus

The Dalai Lama’s reign within Tibet ended in 1959 when the Tibetans rose up against the Chinese in the capital of Lhasa, leading to his escape into exile along with thousands of other Tibetans.

A long fruitless struggle

But he continued as Tibetans’ spiritual and political leader – relinquishing the political role in 2011 – and has spearheaded the struggle to recover their homeland: “My entire adult life mirrors the tragic fate of Tibet and its people,” he wrote in the Washington Post.

Non-violent fight for rights

It is, of course, a peaceful fight against China – a country which continues to stamp out Tibet’s demands for autonomy. “I have insisted to my people that our struggle adhere strictly to the principles of nonviolence,” he wrote in the Washington Post.

Violence begets more violence

“Violence brings more violence; even when violence leads to some temporary solution, it sows the seeds for future violence.”

Exile in India

The Dalai Lama now has his base in India along with 100,000 other Tibetans. There are another estimated 50,000 Tibetans living in exile, most in Nepal and Bhutan.

A purposeful life

“Even while stateless, I feel I have been able to live a life with freedom, joy and purpose, and have been able to make some contribution toward the betterment of humanity,” the Dalai Lama wrote in the Washington Post.

A mini nation

A democracy for the exiled community in India has been established, complete with its own parliament. The community also runs, schools, clinics, farming cooperatives and homes for senior Tibetan citizens.