DHARAMSHALA Days after laying out a succession plan by stating that he intends to reincarnate after his death, the Dalai Lamas, a Tibetan spiritual leader, stated that he aspires to live until he is over 130 years old.
At a ceremony held by his supporters to offer prayers for his long life, the Dalai Lama, who will celebrate his 90th birthday on Sunday, made these remarks. In the past, he has assured supporters who were concerned about his health that he might live to be 110 years old.
The Dalai Lama told thousands of followers gathering Saturday in the northern Indian town of Dharamshala that he has so far been able to serve the Buddha dharma and the Tibetan beings pretty effectively and that he hopes to live for more than 130 years.
Since 1959, the Dalai Lama has lived in exile in Dharamshala after fleeing Tibet following a failed rebellion against Chinese control. Since then, he has encouraged Tibetans both inside and outside of China and supported Tibet’s demands for increased autonomy under Chinese Communist Party control.
The Dalai Lama declared on Wednesday that he plans to reincarnate, opening the door for a successor to assume a mantle that dates back 500 years after his death. According to Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama has the ability to select the body in which he will reincarnate.
After he hinted that he might be the final person to occupy the position, years of conjecture came to an end with that declaration.
While emphasizing that his office will spearhead the search, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism also stated that the next Dalai Lama should be located and acknowledged in accordance with earlier Buddhist traditions. He has previously stated that his successor will be born outside of China in a free world.
China has maintained that only Beijing can authorize the Dalai Lama’s succession because it considers him a rebel. It further declares that anyone selected without Beijing’s approval will be rejected.
Dharamshala-based Tibetan Buddhist Phuntsko Tsering said the Dalai Lama’s recent comments were meant to obstruct Beijing’s efforts to find his successor.
According to Tsering, he is attempting to convey to China that it should refrain from interfering with the reincarnation process.
The more than 20,000 members of the exiled Tibetan community in Dharamshala are preparing to commemorate the Dalai Lama’s birthday on Sunday. Tens of thousands of people, including Buddhist leaders from different sects and followers from around the globe, are anticipated to attend the event, so his supporters have erected enormous posters and billboards throughout the town.
American citizen Barbara Weibel, who has practiced Buddhism for over 30 years, stated that she had to be present for this.
“I want him to live as long as possible,” she remarked, referring to this long life ceremony.
