The Dalai Lama recent confirmation that his office only has the right to identify his successor, a strong reply to the ongoing efforts of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to intervene in Tibetan religious matters.
The 14th Dalai Lama, who turned 90 on Sunday, announced last week that the Dalai Lama organization would continue and their successor would be from the 15th Dalai Lama, outside China.
According to the Taipei Times report, he said, “As per the old tradition, the work of naming the 15th Dalai Lama will be done.”
He strongly stated that his office only has a valid right to determine the selection.
Human Rights Network (HRNTT) general secretary Tashi Tsering for Tibet and Taiwan praised the Dalai Lama’s remarks, saying it is “a strong attack on CCP.”
He condemned the baseless claim of Beijing that he had the right to choose the next Dalai Lama and reiterated that such rights are only with the Holiness and his organization.
Tashi Tsering said, “This clear attitude gives a strong message that religious identity and Tibetan spiritual autonomy cannot be controlled by the CCP.”
He also urged the Tibetans to maintain the legacy of the Dalai Lama and oppose Chinese pressure.
HRNTT, along with Hong Kong Outlanders (HKO) and Taiwan Chapter of Students for a Free Tibet, attended the 90th birthday celebrations in Dharamshala. The Taipei Times reported that these groups also interacted with the local deported Tibetan community to strengthen the Taiwan-Tibetan solidarity.
Several Taiwanese civilian leaders were also present on the occasion, including HRNTT Board member Lynn Hasin-Y, Human Rights Convention and Covanent CEO Huang Yi-B, HKO General Secretary Sky Fung and HKO President Lee Pang-Hsuan.
According to the Taipei Times report, Hollywood actor and long -standing Tibet supporter Richard Gere, while speaking at the event, described the Dalai Lama as “not just for Tibet, but a gift for the world”.
In honor of this achievement of the spiritual leader, HRNTT and affiliated groups have nominated the next 12 months as the “year of compassion”.
A touring exhibition called “from snowy peaks to the ocean of knowledge” will highlight the Tibetan history and the teachings of the Dalai Lama. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s civilian groups are planning to start a city council group to raise public awareness about the struggle of Tibet.