Who Will Name the Dalai Lama’s Successor? China Wants Power, But Tibetans Say Only Gaden Phodrang Can Decide

Dharamshala: The dispute over who has the authority to choose the next Dalai Lama has intensified once again, exposing deep fractures between the Tibetan exile community and the Chinese government. At the core of the conflict is a fundamental disagreement over spiritual legitimacy and political control.

The 14th Dalai Lama, now in his late 80s and living in exile in India, has made it clear that only the Gaden Phodrang Trust, based in India, will oversee the process of identifying his reincarnation. He has repeatedly stated that no outside government—particularly China—has the authority to interfere in this deeply religious decision. In recent statements, he indicated that his successor would be born in a “free country,” signaling that China would be excluded from the process entirely.

China, however, continues to assert that it holds the final say in the appointment of Tibetan religious figures. According to Beijing, all reincarnations must follow Chinese laws and what it calls “historic traditions.” This includes state approval of any future Dalai Lama, despite widespread resistance from Tibetans.

The controversy is closely tied to a similar dispute from the 1990s, when the Dalai Lama named a six-year-old boy, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, as the 11th Panchen Lama. The boy disappeared shortly after his recognition and has not been seen since. In his place, China appointed another monk, Gyaltsen Norbu, who has since risen to prominence as a pro-government figure in the Chinese religious landscape.

Now an adult, Gyaltsen Norbu has become a visible supporter of Chinese policies and the Communist Party. He recently met with President Xi Jinping and pledged to promote the “sinicisation” of Tibetan Buddhism—an initiative aimed at aligning Tibetan spiritual traditions with the ideals of the Chinese state. He also sits on high-level political advisory bodies and frequently visits Tibetan regions under Beijing’s control.

While Norbu is showcased in Chinese media as a legitimate religious leader, many Tibetans, both inside Tibet and in exile, view him as a political appointee with no real spiritual authority. His growing influence is seen as a precursor to a larger effort by Beijing to control the selection of the next Dalai Lama once the current spiritual leader passes away.

The unresolved fate of Gedhun Choekyi Nyima continues to fuel concern globally. Despite Chinese claims that he is living a normal life, no independent verification has ever been provided. Human rights organisations and the United Nations have repeatedly demanded proof of his well-being.

As the Dalai Lama’s age advances, the succession issue is becoming increasingly urgent. For China, controlling the reincarnation would help cement its grip over Tibet. For Tibetans, resisting this move is about preserving the independence of their spiritual traditions.