The Tibetan government-in-exile has strongly condemned comments made by the China-appointed Panchen Lama regarding the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, asserting that the ultimate authority over the process remains exclusively with the Dalai Lama himself. Speaking to Indian news agency ANI, Tibetan government spokesperson Tenzin Lekshay said, “Tibetans and all the followers of Buddhism believe that the ultimate choice or ultimate authority lies with His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Now it’s up to China whether they want to appoint a puppet one or not, and even if they do it just like the Panchen Lama, then who will believe him? Nobody will believe the Chinese choice of Dalai Lama. He will be just like the Chinese Panchen. In Tibet, the Chinese Panchen Lama has no reverence from the Tibetans.”
Lekshay further questioned the independence of the China-appointed Panchen Lama, noting that he operates under Chinese control and is appointed by the Chinese government. He emphasised that the Panchen Lama’s remarks align closely with official Chinese government positions. “The Chinese-appointed Panchen Lama says the same thing that the Chinese government has said in legitimising the position of the Chinese government,” he said, highlighting what he described as Beijing’s attempts to assert influence over Tibetan religious traditions.
The spokesperson also criticised China’s longstanding role in Tibetan religious affairs, accusing the government of suppressing Tibetan Buddhism and questioning its authority to interfere in the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation. According to Lekshay, thousands of monks and nuns have been killed, and numerous monasteries and learning centres destroyed over the past six decades. He noted that the Chinese Communist regime is not Buddhist and therefore holds no legitimate religious authority to dictate succession within the tradition.
Lekshay argued that the Panchen Lama’s remarks are shaped by the lack of freedom of expression under Chinese rule, suggesting that his statements would differ if he were able to speak independently. He underlined that the Dalai Lama himself has repeatedly clarified the future of his institution between 2011 and 2025, stating that the responsibility for selecting his successor is entrusted to the Gaden Phodrang, strictly in accordance with tradition. “This time Dalai Lama has made it very clear that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue and has entrusted the responsibility to the Gaden Phodrang, strictly in accordance with tradition,” he said, adding, “the authority over reincarnation is vested in the Dalai Lama himself, not the Chinese government regime, and not even the Chinese-appointed Panchen Lama.”
Lekshay’s remarks reinforce the Tibetan government-in-exile’s position that any attempt by China to influence the Dalai Lama’s succession will be widely rejected by Tibetans and the global Buddhist community.
