MEDIA RELESE

26 June 2026

China Has No Historical, Religious and Political Right to Interfere in the Dalai Lama’s Reincarnation Issue

The Tibet Information Office in Canberra strongly condemns the Chinese Embassy’s sponsored propaganda published in regional newspapers earlier this week, titled “How the Dalai Lama became the Dalai Lama: A fascinating history of Tibetan Buddhism”. This paid disinformation campaign attempts to manipulate public opinion by falsely asserting that the identification and reincarnation of the Dalai Lama must occur within China and obtain the approval of the Chinese government. These claims are entirely baseless, highly misleading, and demonstrate a profound disregard for the Buddhist community worldwide and fundamental human rights.

We wish to reiterate the following critical facts to the Australian public, media, and international community:

Sole Authority Rests with the Dalai Lama

As reaffirmed by His Holiness on July 2, 2025, the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue, and the authority to recognize his future reincarnation lies exclusively with the Gaden Phodrang Trust (the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama).

Reincarnation is a Spiritual, Not Political Process

In order to accept reincarnation or the reality of tulkus, one must first accept the existence of past and future lives. The recognition of reincarnate lamas is therefore rooted in spiritual and religious principles that presuppose the continuity of consciousness across lifetimes. The Chinese Communist Party—an officially atheist regime that actively represses religious freedom in Tibet—has no legal, historical, or spiritual right to meddle in this sacred tradition.

A Pattern of Control and Human Rights Abuse

Beijing’s ambition to install a state-approved Dalai Lama mirrors their 1995 abduction of the 11th Panchen Lama, whose whereabouts remain forcefully concealed. It is part of a broader strategy to erase Tibetan cultural and spiritual identity.

We call on Australian Community at large must remain vigilant against political narratives designed to undermine the sacred lineages of Tibetan Buddhism. The continuity of Tibetan Spiritual leadership will be determined based on the Tibetan spiritual traditions, and the Tibetan people will never recognize a puppet “reincarnation” appointed by Beijing.

Karma Singey

Representative

Tibet Information Office

Email: [email protected]