The selection of the Dalai Lama Dalai Lama of Tibetan Buddhism is part of an ancient, holy and intensive tradition, based on auspicious signs, religious beliefs and consent of the Tibetan community. The current Dalai Lama, Tenjin Gyatso, will celebrate their 90th birthday on 6 July 2025. This opportunity is not only an important stage of his life, but can also be an important step towards the future of Tibetan Buddhism and the selection of the 15th Dalai Lama. Let us know how the Dalai Lama is selected and what is its historical relation with India.
Dalai Lama selection, traditions and process: The current Dalai Lama has said that he will consult the Tibetan religious traditions and the Tibetan public for the selection of the next Dalai Lama. He says that it is necessary to decide whether the organization of the Dalai Lama should continue or not “. He also informed that he would leave clear written instructions for this process. Interestingly, the Dalai Lama has indicated that his successor may also be a girl, an insect, or the transfer of their soul into an adult. However, he insisted that the next Dalai Lama’s discovery and identity would be “according to the Tibetan Buddhist traditions”.
The following signs and methods are used in the process of selection of the Dalai Lama:-
Identification of East Dalai Lama’s goods: The current Dalai Lama, Tenjin Gyatso, was selected at the age of two based on his extraordinary ability to recognize the 13th Dalai Lama’s belongings. This process indicates that the Dalai Lama Avlokiteshwar is an incarnation of Bodhisattva.
Auspicious signs and miracles: Many Dalai Lamas have been selected on the basis of auspicious signs in history. For example, in 1758, the 8th Dalai Lama had a rich crop in Tibet at the time of birth and a rainbow appeared, which was said that he had touched his mother. In addition, the child tried to sit in a lotus meditation posture, which confirmed his identity.
Traditions of Name Name: Special methods are used several times for the selection of the Dalai Lama. In a way, the names of potential heirs are written on paper and hidden in the dough. In another ancient method, the name is extracted from the golden urn. However, the current Dalai Lama has warned that if the Golden Kalash near Beijing is misused, there will be no spiritual quality.
Historical relations between India and the sixth Dalai Lama: So far, 14 Dalai Lamas have been born in various social backgrounds, including elite families to nomadic shepherd families. Most of the Dalai Lamas were born in central Tibetan regions, while one was born in Mongolia. But a fact that connects India to this tradition is the sixth Dalai Lama, the birth of Tsangayang Gyatso. He was born in 1682 in Tawang region of Arunachal Pradesh, India. The Monpa community of Tawang still proudly remembers this historical relationship. Tsangayang Gyatso was a poet and spiritual leader known for his mysterious lifestyle and poetic compositions.
Future of Dalai Lama’s organization: The present Dalai Lama has said to make the process of selection of the next Dalai Lama more transparent in view of its age and health. He has also indicated that it is not necessary that his successor is a child; It can also be a girl or any other form. This idea reflects the flexible and inclusive nature of Tibetan Buddhism. In addition, the Dalai Lama has also warned that efforts to intervene in the selection of the Dalai Lama by China can weaken their traditions. He clarified that the consent of Tibetan people and religious leaders would be the basis of this process.
Importance of Dalai Lama in Tibetan culture: The Dalai Lama is not only a spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, but also a symbol of Tibetan culture and identity. The people of Tibet consider him as an incarnation of Avlokiteshwar, Bodhisattva of compassion. After the Chinese repression in 1959, the present Dalai Lama had to take refuge in India, and since then he has been conducting his activities from Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. India has a deep connection between the Tibetan community and the Dalai Lama, which is stronger than the birth of the sixth Dalai Lama.
The selection of the Dalai Lama is a unique and spiritual process of Tibetan Buddhism, based on auspicious signs, traditions and deep faith. Arunachal Pradesh of India, especially Tawang, has been an integral part of this tradition, because the sixth Dalai Lama was born there. As the current Dalai Lama is getting closer to its 90th birthday, the whole world is eyeing how the next Dalai Lama will be selected and what will it mean to Tibetan culture, spirituality and global peace.
