Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the 14th Tibetan Religious Conference convened at the CTA headquarters, 27 November 2019. Photo/Tenzin Phende/CTA

Dharamshala: Ever since 1969, when asked about his next reincarnation, His Holiness the Dalai Lama has told the international media that it was a matter to be decided by the Tibetan people. As it stands now, it is important for the Tibetan people to enact a legitimate stand on the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation. In that light, a necessary special resolution on reincarnation was passed at the 14th Tibetan Religious Conference which began today at the headquarters of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). The conference is being organised by the Department of Religion and Culture, CTA.

The relationship between successive Dalai Lamas and the Tibetan people has been akin to that between head and neck, or, as it were, between the body and its shadow, and therefore never ever separable. Hence it is only to be expected that the tradition of the continuance of the lineage of the Dalai Lamas through successive reincarnations based on the Tibetan Buddhist tradition should remain for the sake of the Tibetan people.

As such, through this conference, Tibetan religious heads and representatives see it as imperative to adopt a special resolution which thus follows hereunder.

Dharamshala Declaration – Resolutions:

• The Karmic bond between the Dalai Lamas and the Tibetan people have been inseparable and the present status of the Tibetan people being extremely critical, all Tibetans genuinely wish for the continuation of the Institution and Reincarnation of the Dalai Lama in the future. We therefore strongly supplicate to His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama for the same.

• The authority of decision concerning the way and the manner in which the next reincarnation of the XIV Dalai Lama should appear solely rests with His Holiness the XIV Dalai Lama himself. No government or otherwise will have such authority. If the Government of the People’s Republic of China for political ends chooses a candidate for the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan people will not recognize and respect that candidate.

• Regarding the method of recognizing the future reincarnations of the Dalai Lama, the same unique Tibetan traditional method, which has been continuously used until now, will be followed. This method conforms to be basic philosophy and tenets of the Buddhadharma and originated in Tibet over 800 years ago.

The three-day conference is administered by the heads and important figures of various traditions of Tibetan Buddhism and native Tibetan Bon tradition including H.E Sakya Trizin Rinpoche, H.E Gaden Tri Rinpoche, H.E Drikung Kyabgon Chetsang Rinpoche, H.E Kyabje Menri Trizin Rinpoche, Kyabje Tsurphu Gorshe Gyaltsab Rinpoche (Representative of Gyalwa Karmapa), Rev. Taklung Matrul Rinpoche (Representative of H.E Taklung Shabdrung Rinpoche), Namdroling Tulku Choedhar Rinpoche, Ven. Khenpo Ngedhon Tenzin (Representative of H.E Gyalwang Drukchen), and Jonang Gyaltsab Rinpoche.

Other eminent Tibetan rinpoches and tulkus, representatives and lamas from the Himalayan region, Khen Rinpoches of major Tibetan Buddhist institutes in exile, heads and members of Tibetan monastic institutes and representatives of Tibetan nunneries were present among the 100-strong participants. Dignitaries of the Tibetan Administration including the heads of three pillars of Democracy, Kalons, and Members of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile attended the inaugural ceremony.

The conference will focus on enabling extensive participation of the religious heads and other important figures of Tibetan Buddhism in the discussion and decision making on the overarching significance of Tibetan tradition of recognising the reincarnation of scholar-adepts with a particular emphasis on the discovery and recognition of the reincarnation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

Addressing the inaugural session of the conference, Sikyong Dr. Lobsang Sangay apprised on the resolutions passed in the recently held 3rd Special General Meeting of Tibetans whereby it was declared that the exclusive right and the power regarding the discovery and recognition of reincarnations of His Holiness the Dalai Lama lies in His Holiness himself and the Gaden Phodrang Trust of the Dalai Lama. And any effort being made by China via its Order no 5 will be outrightly considered as invalid as per the resolution adopted.

Sikyong then notified on the alarming meddling of China in the reincarnation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama not only through its implementation of Order no 5 but by threatening and putting pressures on India against interfering in the selection of next Dalai Lama.

“China’s extreme hostility towards religious freedom in Tibet is totally unacceptable to us and likewise, we vehemently reject any advancement of China’s interferences in the process of the reincarnation system. If any, It should be for the Tibetans to decide and defend” said Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay.

“Though China continues to put pressure on India, India’s consistent generosity and kindness towards Tibetans have always been the same” added Sikyong.

Remarking on the recent visit of Senator Brownback, US Ambassador for Religious Freedom, Sikyong said that the US fully supports and favours the Tibetan Buddhist system of selecting the successors.

“The US government has officially stated its support for the Tibetan people’s religious freedom to select, educate and venerate their religious leaders without state interferences,” said the democratically elected leader of the Tibetans in exile.

Kalon for Religion and Culture, Ven Karma Gelek Yuthok, in his opening remarks, explained the recent steps taken to change the title of the conference. He expressed his appreciation and confidence that this conference in its optimum capacity will deliver fruitful results.

Kalon Ven Karma Gelek Yuthok, Department of Religion and Culture, CTA delivering the welcome remarks at the inaugural ceremony of the 14th Tibetan Religious Conference convened at the CTA headquarters, 27 November 2019.

Religious heads and masters from all traditions of Tibetan Buddhism participating in the 14th Tibetan Religious Conference convened by the Department of Religion and Culture, CTA.

Kyabgon Drikung Chesang Rinpoche (left) and Gaden Tri Rinpoche (right) at the 14th Tibetan Religious Conference.

Religious heads and masters from all sects of Tibetan Buddhist tradition participating in the 14th Tibetan Religious Conference convened by the Department of Religion and Culture, CTA.

Sakya Trizin Ratna Vajra Rinpoche speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the 14th Tibetan Religious Conference convened by the Department of Religion and Culture, CTA.

Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the 14th Tibetan Religious Conference convened at the CTA headquarters, 27 November 2019.

Kalon Ven Karma Gelek Yuthok unveils a publication featuring 2011 statement of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama on his Reincarnation at the inaugural ceremony of the 14th Tibetan Religious Conference.

Heads of three pillars of Tibetan democracy including Sikyong Dr Lobsang Sangay, Tibetan Chief Justice Commissioner Sonam Norbu Dagpo, Speaker of Tibetan Parliament and other dignitaries at the inaugural ceremony.