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Dalai Lama: 'I would rather be the last Dalai Lama than see a stupid person take my place' Dalai Lama: 'I would rather be the last Dalai Lama than see a stupid person take my place'
(35 minutes later)
The Dalai Lama has said he would rather be the last to hold the spiritual post than see it pass to a “stupid” successor.The Dalai Lama has said he would rather be the last to hold the spiritual post than see it pass to a “stupid” successor.
No one may follow the Buddhist leader, he told BBC Newsnight, saying it was “up to the Tibetan people” to decide what will happen after his death.No one may follow the Buddhist leader, he told BBC Newsnight, saying it was “up to the Tibetan people” to decide what will happen after his death.
The 14th Dalai Lama, whose real name is Tenzin Gyatso, has made the claim several times to the chagrin of China, which insists it has the right to choose a sucessor. The 14th Dalai Lama, whose real name is Tenzin Gyatso, has made the claim several times, to the chagrin of China, which insists it has the right to choose a successor.
He is the longest serving leader and has been in the post for 64 years, since he was 15 years old.He is the longest serving leader and has been in the post for 64 years, since he was 15 years old.
“The Dalai Lama institution will cease one day. These man-made institutions will cease,” the 79-year-old told Newsnight.“The Dalai Lama institution will cease one day. These man-made institutions will cease,” the 79-year-old told Newsnight.
“There is no guarantee that some stupid Dalai Lama won't come next, who will disgrace himself or herself. That would be very sad. So, much better that a centuries-old tradition should cease at the time of a quite popular Dalai Lama.”“There is no guarantee that some stupid Dalai Lama won't come next, who will disgrace himself or herself. That would be very sad. So, much better that a centuries-old tradition should cease at the time of a quite popular Dalai Lama.”
Each dead Dalai Lama is thought to be reincarnated in the body of a male child identified by high lamas (Buddhist priests) in Tibet.Each dead Dalai Lama is thought to be reincarnated in the body of a male child identified by high lamas (Buddhist priests) in Tibet.
The Dalai Lama leads a symbolic walk across a peace bridge in Londonderry during a visit in 2013 China has repeatedly insisted it has the right to choose his successor, but the Dalai Lama says that he will not be “reincarnated” in the Communist state if Tibet is not free and that no one has the right to make the decision “for political ends”.The Dalai Lama leads a symbolic walk across a peace bridge in Londonderry during a visit in 2013 China has repeatedly insisted it has the right to choose his successor, but the Dalai Lama says that he will not be “reincarnated” in the Communist state if Tibet is not free and that no one has the right to make the decision “for political ends”.
Hua Chunying, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said that when it came to the reincarnation of living Buddhas, China had a “set religious procedure and historic custom”.Hua Chunying, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said that when it came to the reincarnation of living Buddhas, China had a “set religious procedure and historic custom”.
“China follows a policy of freedom of religion and belief, and this naturally includes having to respect and protect the ways of passing on Tibetan Buddhism,” she said.“China follows a policy of freedom of religion and belief, and this naturally includes having to respect and protect the ways of passing on Tibetan Buddhism,” she said.
“The title of Dalai Lama is conferred by the central government, which has hundreds of years of history. The (present) 14th Dalai Lama has ulterior motives, and is seeking to distort and negate history, which is damaging to the normal order of Tibetan Buddhism.”“The title of Dalai Lama is conferred by the central government, which has hundreds of years of history. The (present) 14th Dalai Lama has ulterior motives, and is seeking to distort and negate history, which is damaging to the normal order of Tibetan Buddhism.”
A Tibetan monk carries a portrait of exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, during a celebration of the Tibetan New Year China views the 14th Dalai Lama as a dangerous separatist inciting Tibetans against its rule since it began in 1950. He fled to India in 1959 following a failed uprising and has been in exile ever since.A Tibetan monk carries a portrait of exiled Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, during a celebration of the Tibetan New Year China views the 14th Dalai Lama as a dangerous separatist inciting Tibetans against its rule since it began in 1950. He fled to India in 1959 following a failed uprising and has been in exile ever since.
The current Dalai Lama, who has won the Nobel Peace Prize, advocates a “middle way” with China, seeking autonomy but not independence for Tibet.The current Dalai Lama, who has won the Nobel Peace Prize, advocates a “middle way” with China, seeking autonomy but not independence for Tibet.
In 1995, a boy in Tibet was named as the reincarnation of the previous Panchen Lama, the second highest figure in Tibetan Buddhism, but China put the child under house arrest and installed another in his place.In 1995, a boy in Tibet was named as the reincarnation of the previous Panchen Lama, the second highest figure in Tibetan Buddhism, but China put the child under house arrest and installed another in his place.
But many Tibetans reject the Chinese-appointed Panchen Lama as a fake.But many Tibetans reject the Chinese-appointed Panchen Lama as a fake.