DHARAMSHALA, India, July 6, 2025 – His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, marked his 90th birthday today with celebrations in Dharamshala, India, where he has lived in exile since 1959. The milestone was accompanied by a significant announcement regarding the future of the Dalai Lama institution, addressing long-standing speculation about his successor and drawing sharp attention from China, which insists on controlling the reincarnation process.On Wednesday, during a video message at the 15th Tibetan Religious Conference in McLeodganj, the Dalai Lama confirmed that the 600-year-old institution would continue after his death, with his reincarnation to be identified solely by the Gaden Phodrang Trust, a non-profit organization he established. “No one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter,” he stated, explicitly rejecting any role for Beijing in selecting his successor. He emphasized that his reincarnation would be born in the “free world” outside China, urging followers to dismiss any candidate chosen by the Chinese government as “fake.”
The announcement came after years of uncertainty, as the Dalai Lama had previously suggested he might be the last of his line or that his successor could be a girl. Speaking at a long-life prayer ceremony on Saturday at Tsuglagkhang, the main Dalai Lama temple in McLeodganj, he expressed optimism about his longevity, citing “clear signs and indications” of the blessings of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion. “I hope to still live for 30–40 years more,” he said, adding that he intends to continue serving humanity through promoting peace, compassion, and Tibetan culture.
Celebrations for the Dalai Lama’s birthday began on June 30, aligned with the Tibetan lunar calendar, and included a historic ceremony organized by the Dhomay Organising Committee in Dharamshala. Representatives from multiple faith traditions, including Tibetan and Chinese Buddhism, Theravada, Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Baha’i, Judaism, Jainism, and Sikhism, honored him as the “Peerless Teacher of the Twenty-First Century” for his lifelong dedication to non-violence and interfaith harmony. In Brussels, a city-wide campaign launched by the Office of Tibet displayed over 110 posters across metro stations, trams, and buses, featuring the Dalai Lama’s quotes on compassion and peace, running until July 21.
Indian leaders, including Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, JD(U) leader Rajiv Ranjan Singh, and Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, attended the Dharamshala events, joined by actor Richard Gere. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the Dalai Lama as “an enduring symbol of love” on X, while U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio lauded his message of peace and unity. The Indian government, however, maintained a neutral stance on the succession issue, with the Ministry of External Affairs stating it “does not take any position on matters concerning beliefs and practices of faith.”
China’s Foreign Ministry reiterated its stance that the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation must comply with Chinese laws, including the use of the Qing dynasty’s Golden Urn method and central government approval. Beijing considers the Dalai Lama a separatist and views Tibetan Buddhism as a “religion with Chinese characteristics.” This position has drawn criticism from Tibetan exiles and international observers, who argue that spiritual leadership cannot be dictated by political authorities.
Born Lhamo Dhondup on July 6, 1935, in Taktser, Tibet, the Dalai Lama was identified as the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama at age two. After China’s occupation of Tibet and the failed 1959 uprising, he fled to India, where he established the Tibetan government-in-exile in Dharamshala. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his non-violent advocacy for Tibetan autonomy, he has promoted a “Middle Way” approach, seeking cultural and religious freedom within China rather than full independence.
The Dalai Lama’s latest statements have heightened global attention on the succession issue, with strategic implications for China, India, and the United States, which has called for Beijing to cease interference in Tibetan Buddhist affairs. As celebrations continue, the Dalai Lama remains a global symbol of compassion, with his message resonating far beyond the Himalayan hills of Dharamshala.
