{"id":12286,"date":"2019-09-12T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-09-11T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/nieuws\/china-steps-up-discredited-attempts-to-control-dalai-lamas-succession\/"},"modified":"2019-09-12T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2019-09-11T22:00:00","slug":"china-steps-up-discredited-attempts-to-control-dalai-lamas-succession","status":"publish","type":"nieuws","link":"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/en\/news\/china-steps-up-discredited-attempts-to-control-dalai-lamas-succession\/","title":{"rendered":"China steps up discredited attempts to control Dalai Lama\u2019s succession"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<ul class=\"text-box wp-block-list\"><li>Chinese Communist Party authorities have stepped up efforts to control the succession of the Dalai Lama by hosting their first major training on reincarnation involving monks from prominent Tibetan monasteries. Signaling their desire to exclude the Dalai Lama from playing any role in his own succession, a senior official at the training said the reincarnation system is \u201cnever a religious-only issue or a living Buddha\u2019s personal right\u201d but \u201can important representation of the Communist Party of China\u2019s strategies and policies in the region.\u201d This statement can also be seen as a blunt warning to any Tibetans loyal to the Dalai Lama.<sup>[1]<\/sup><\/li><li>At the same time, the Chinese-installed Panchen Lama, whom Beijing is using to help gain control over Tibetan Buddhism, has been on an \u201cinspection tour\u201d of monasteries and villages in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), including in sensitive areas close to the Indian border. China\u2019s leader Xi Jinping is expected to visit India soon after the upcoming 70th anniversary of the People\u2019s Republic of China on Oct. 1.<\/li><li>Later this year, the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) is convening a Special General Meeting of Tibetans from across the international Tibetan diaspora. The meeting agenda includes a discussion on the relationship between the Dalai Lamas and the Tibetan people.<\/li><li>Beijing\u2019s intensive focus on controlling the Dalai Lama\u2019s succession reflects its frustration at its own lack of legitimacy among Tibetans. Despite the harshness of the Chinese Communist Party\u2019s campaigns against religion, loyalty to the Dalai Lama among Tibetans remains constant. The Dalai Lama has made it clear that only he has authority over his reincarnation, an authority that is accepted by Tibetans, by followers of Tibetan Buddhism worldwide and by the international community.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to Chinese state media, around 100 Tibetan Buddhist monks from 73 monasteries attended a \u201ctraining session on reincarnation for a living Buddha\u201d that started on Aug. 23, in which they studied government \u201cmanagement of the reincarnation system\u201d and the Communist Party\u2019s approved version of history and rituals for reincarnation.<sup>[2]<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The training underlined the Chinese government\u2019s message that it will prevent any involvement of the Dalai Lama in his own reincarnation, and in turn shut down any possibility of a return to his homeland. The state media outlet Global Times reported that \u201cholding a training session suggested that reincarnation, written in government regulations and embedded in Tibetan Buddhism, will be carried out properly and not affected by any individual or the \u2018Dalai Lama\u2019s separatist clique,\u2019\u201d citing researcher Penpa Lhamo (Chinese transliteration: Bianba Lamu), head of the South Asia Institute of the Tibetan Academy of Social Sciences.<sup>[3]<\/sup> (Penpa Lhamo has previously blamed the \u201cDalai clique\u201d for \u201cmanipulating\u201d Tibetan monks to set themselves on fire, upholding the official Chinese government position on self-immolation.)<sup>[4]<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The latest official statements on reincarnation include much more blunt and explicit references to the Dalai Lama in comparison with Beijing\u2019s 2007 \u201cManagement measures for the reincarnation of living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism\u201d (also known as Order No. Five), which stated for the first time in legislation that all reincarnated lamas (known as \u201ctulkus\u201d) must have Chinese government approval.<sup>[5]<\/sup> While these earlier measures clearly emerged from an acute awareness of the Dalai Lama\u2019s continued influence in Tibet, and a political imperative to supplant him, he was not specifically named in Order No. Five.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The current Communist Party boss of the TAR, Wu Yingjie, received the monks and other delegates at the closing ceremony of the reincarnation training on Aug. 29. At the closing ceremony, Wu emphasized the importance of reincarnation being under Communist Party control in the heightened period prior to the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People\u2019s Republic of China on Oct. 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wu stressed that it was necessary \u201cto take Xi Jinping\u2019s new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics as the guide, do a good job in the management and training of living Buddhas in accordance with the law, and constantly promote Tibetan Buddhism to adapt to the socialist society [in order to contribute to] our region\u2019s long-term development and long-term stability.\u201d He referred to the importance of welcoming \u201cthe 70th anniversary of the founding of New China with outstanding achievements.\u201d<sup>[6]<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Wu also emphasized the importance of \u2018\u201cSinicization\u201d\u2019 of the Tibetan Buddhist religion, saying that it is \u201cinterpreted in accordance with the requirements of contemporary China\u2019s development and in line with the Chinese traditional culture.\u201d In January, China announced a five-year plan of \u201cSinicization\u201d to \u201cintegrate\u201d religions \u201cwith Chinese culture,\u201d<sup>[7]<\/sup> which involves unprecedentedly systematic efforts to mold and shape Tibetan Buddhism to the dictates of the Communist Party in line with increased regulations that have already deepened religious op6pression over the last decade. Altogether, this presents a historic threat to the survival of Tibetan religious identity.<sup>[8]<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The \u201ctraining\u201d on reincarnation involved influential figures in the TAR who are being primed by party authorities for involvement in the succession issue. The most critical figure in this approach is the Chinese-installed Panchen Lama, Gyaltsen Norbu, who embarked on a major tour of the TAR this past summer. Gyaltsen Norbu, known among Tibetans as \u201cGya Panchen\u201d (Chinese Panchen), was briefed by Wu before his tour, and it is notable that his role appears to have been extended beyond the religious sphere to incorporate \u201csurvey and research\u201d activities.<sup>[9]<\/sup> It was in this context that Gyaltsen Norbu\u2019s visit to Jaggang village in Rutok, Ngari (Chinese: Ali) was undertaken.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While state media described Jaggang as a \u201ctypical plateau village,\u201d it is close to a sensitive border. Jaggang is near Demchok in Ladakh, India, one of a number of areas described as \u201cdisputed\u201d by Beijing on the \u201cLine of Actual Control\u201d stretching from eastern Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh in India (the latter is claimed as \u201cSouthern Tibet\u201d by the Chinese leadership).<sup>[10]<\/sup> The dispute over territory in border areas is at the heart of India-China tensions, and there are frequent face-offs and transgressions between the Chinese and Indian troops in this area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chinese media featured images of Norbu chatting to villagers at Jaggang, with a backdrop of pictures on the wall of Xi Jinping and Mao Zedong, and reporting that he \u201ccarefully asked about the family\u2019s production and living conditions. \u2018Are there changes between your past and present life?\u2019 \u2018Are you keeping well; what about your knees?\u2019 \u2018Do you go out for a travel?\u2019 \u2018How do you keep warm in winter?\u2019 \u2018How do the livestock sustain when it snows?\u2019 \u2018How many TV channels do you get?\u2019.\u201d<sup>[11]<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He also attended a ceremony at a monastery in Purang (Chinese: Burang) in Ngari, close to the border of Nepal and India, and the sacred pilgrimage site of Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar. In August 2018 Gyaltsen Norbu visited the sacred lake of Lhamo Latso in Lhokha (Chinese: Shannan), TAR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While in Ngari, the Chinese-selected Panchen Lama visited a monastery of the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism, indicating that the Chinese authorities intend him to represent all schools of Buddhism, not only the Gelug (Yellow Hat) school to which he belongs together with the Dalai Lama.<sup>[12]<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most Tibetans do not recognize or accept Gyaltsen Norbu; they are loyal instead to the the Panchen Lama recognized by the Dalai Lama, Gedhun Choekyi Nyima, whose whereabouts have been unknown since he was abducted by the Chinese government in 1995. Gedhun Choekyi Nyima\u2019s absence has come to symbolize the anguish of Tibetans at China\u2019s efforts to undermine and eviscerate their religious and cultural identity. Historically, the Panchen Lama has been one of Tibet\u2019s most revered religious figures, with a unique relationship to the Dalai Lama. Some Panchen Lamas have previously played a role in the recognition and subsequent education of Dalai Lamas, and vice versa, which is why China feels control over the institution is considered to be so crucial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During the same tour of the TAR this past summer, Norbu travelled to Nagchu (Chinese: Naqu), where he reiterated the importance of \u201cdeveloping Tibetan Buddhism in the Chinese context and advancing Tibetan Buddhism to adapt to socialist society.\u201d<sup>[13]<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">China warns India not to get involved in Dalai Lama\u2019s succession<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Just as Gyaltsen Norbu arrived in Lhasa, Tibet\u2019s capital, in June, China gave a direct warning to India not to interfere in the process of the Dalai Lama\u2019s reincarnation. A group of Indian journalists were invited to Lhasa, where they were told by Wang Neng Sheng, a Chinese official, that: \u201cThe reincarnation of the Dalai Lama is a historical, religious and political issue. There are established historical institutions and formalities for the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama\u2019s reincarnation is not decided by his personal wish or by some group of people living in other countries.\u201d<sup>[14]<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Zha Luo, director at the Beijing-based China Tibetology Research Centre, a government-run think tank, was even clearer in his comments, saying that any refusal by India to recognize the future Dalai Lama chosen by China will impact bilateral ties. Zha Luo was reported by Indian newspapers as saying: \u201cSince the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama is an important issue for China any friendly country or friend of China would not interfere or meddle on the issue.\u201d<sup>[15]<\/sup> But the same Indian newspaper report cited a spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs in Delhi saying in March last year: \u201cThe government of India\u2019s position on His Holiness the Dalai Lama is clear and consistent. He is a revered religious leader and is deeply respected by the people of India. There is no change in that position. His Holiness is accorded all freedom to carry out his religious activities in India.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">China\u2019s warnings to India on this matter will be under sharp focus during a visit of China\u2019s leader Xi Jinping to Delhi in October. The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) is also convening a Special General Meeting of Tibetans from across the world in October, and the agenda includes a discussion on the relationship between the Dalai Lamas and the Tibetan people. Under the Tibetan Charter in Exile, the CTA can convene such meetings of community representatives to discuss \u201cemergency or significant public issues.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Tibetan disquiet over China\u2019s efforts to subvert reincarnation system<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fundamental to Tibetan Buddhism is the belief that the purpose of enlightenment is to benefit other living beings, rather than a personal quest for liberation. When a fully enlightened being chooses to manifest in an emanated human body in order to benefit all living beings, that emanation is referred to as a \u201cbodhisattva\u201d. The Dalai Lama is believed by Tibetan Buddhists to be an emanation of Avalokitesvara, the bodhisattva of compassion, known in Tibetan as Chenresig.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSince the pursuit of spiritual realization founded on the generation of altruism and compassion was the <em>raison d\u2019etre<\/em> of Tibetan Buddhist practice and institutions, it was presumed that lamas, or higher-status monks and spiritual masters (gurus in Sanskrit), who were most accomplished in this endeavor would choose to return and their reincarnations could be identified,\u201d says the book \u201cSacred Mandates: Asian International Relations Since Chinggis Khan,\u201d edited by Timothy Brook, Michael Van Walt van Praag and Miek Boltjes.<sup>[16]<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">China\u2019s intensive efforts to subvert and co-opt the traditional process of reincarnation appear to reflect their insecurities and lack of legitimacy among Tibetans. But this systematic, all-encompassing political approach to controlling succession and appropriating traditions at the heart of Tibetan Buddhism has led to alarm among both elder Tibetan scholars and a younger generation who lacks the same historical context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Elder scholar Jampel Gyatso, who is based in China and was one of the first generation of Tibetans to work with Chinese Communists, expressed this disquiet in an eloquent and bold essay that was briefly online in 2015. Gyatso referred to the party\u2019s approach to reincarnate lamas in Tibet as the \u2018poisonous fruit\u2019 of policy developed over the last 50 years by the Chinese leadership, specifically referring to Ye Xiaowen, the former head of the State Administration for Religious Affairs.<sup>[17]<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Younger generation Tibetan intellectuals point to the dangers of Communist Party control over every Tibetan \u201ctulku\u201d (reincarnate lama), given the development of a complex framework of training and education. In addition to the training on the party\u2019s position on reincarnation highlighted in this report, another new development has been the visits of Tibetan tulkus to \u201cred\u201d sites connected to Communist Party political heritage. On one such \u201cpatriotic\u201d tour, young Tibetan lamas visited a memorial museum for Mao Zedong at his birthplace in Hunan and military bases.<sup>[18]<\/sup> One of the young Tibetan \u201cLiving Buddhas\u201d<sup>[19]<\/sup> on the tour was pictured in the state media offering a \u201ckhata,\u201d or white blessing scarf, to a statue of Mao.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A Tibetan scholar who lives in China and whose views were conveyed to the International Campaign for Tibet, said: \u201cChina sees that Tibetan Buddhist monasteries were the center of politics, economy and culture of Tibetan areas in the history of their rule since the 1950s. In order to pass on their teachings and control a large population of Tibetan Buddhist monks and nuns, as well as to strengthen the political, economic, cultural and judicial functions of monasteries, it has developed a systematic and complex system of monastic internal management. This system even takes into account the different schools of Tibetan Buddhism and their different characteristics, in order to focus on how to better integrate the traditional modes of management into new Communist Party methodologies.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another Tibetan intellectual from Tibet, who cannot be identified due to the lack of freedom to speak openly, spoke about the \u201ctough policies\u201d developed in terms of training Tibetan reincarnate lamas. Referring to Tibetan tulkus officially approved by the Chinese authorities and included on China\u2019s \u201cLiving Buddha\u201d database,<sup>[20]<\/sup> the scholar said: \u201cEvery single individual now on the official reincarnation database has to go through an entire political procedure, entirely separate to a religious training, in which they are advised about the need for their career and role in the religious community to motivate religious believers to love the Party, love the country and \u2018social stability maintenance\u2019 work, as well as the fight against \u2018separatism\u2019 and Dalai Lama. This training is focused on manipulating them to be a bridge between the Party and religious community and believers. That means that now the Tibetan reincarnations are becoming Communist-trained talents rather than religious leaders, which is very disturbing for the future of Tibetan Buddhism. The government is manipulating the role of reincarnation for engaging religious believers and conveying the Party\u2019s ideology and propaganda to grassroots society. This is also creating a distance between reincarnate lamas and Buddhist believers as the Party is using them in this way. Also, the government is restricting the religious activities of those with reincarnate lama status who are not approved by the Chinese Communist Party.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Dalai Lama\u2019s position, supported by the Tibetan people, is explicit in saying that only the Dalai Lama himself can decide issues related to his reincarnation. In a statement on Sept. 24, 2011, the Dalai Lama said: \u201cReincarnation is a phenomenon which should take place either through the voluntary choice of the concerned person or at least on the strength of his or her karma, merit and prayers. Therefore, the person who reincarnates has sole legitimate authority over where and how he or she takes rebirth and how that reincarnation is to be recognized. It is a reality that no one else can force the person concerned, or manipulate him or her. It is particularly inappropriate for Chinese Communists, who explicitly reject even the idea of past and future lives [. . .] to meddle in the system of reincarnation and especially the reincarnations of the Dalai Lamas [. . .] Such brazen meddling contradicts their own political ideology and reveals their double standards. Should this situation continue in the future, it will be impossible for Tibetans and those who follow the Tibetan Buddhist tradition to acknowledge or accept it.\u201d<sup>[21]<\/sup><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Tibetans, this closes off any possibility that options presented by Beijing, such as a Chinese-installed successor, could be legitimate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Dalai Lama\u2019s authority and the principle of religious freedom is also upheld by US lawmakers; in April 2019, US Sen. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) said at a hearing of a Senate Foreign Relations Committee subcommittee that the US Congress would not recognize a Dalai Lama chosen by the Chinese government.<sup>[22]<\/sup> At a hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Asia Subcommittee, Said Gardner: \u201cLet me be very clear: The United States Congress will never recognize a Dalai Lama that is selected by the Chinese.\u201d Gardner, who is also the subcommittee chairman, added: \u201cHis Holiness has laid out [his] succession. Only then will the US follow that succession.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"footnote wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Footnotes:<\/strong><br><strong>[1]<\/strong> Suolang Renzeng (Chinese transliteration of Sonam Rinzin), a Tibetan official who is deputy chief of the Chinese People\u2019s Political Consultative Conference Tibet Autonomous Regional Committee, was cited as saying by Global Times on August 25, 2019, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.globaltimes.cn\/content\/1162625.shtml\">http:\/\/www.globaltimes.cn\/content\/1162625.shtml<\/a><br><strong>[2]<\/strong> Global Times, August 25, 2019, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.globaltimes.cn\/content\/1162625.shtml\">http:\/\/www.globaltimes.cn\/content\/1162625.shtml<\/a><br><strong>[3]<\/strong> Ibid. Tibet Daily published an article on a day in the life of Penpa Lhamo speaking about her role on the National Committee of the Chinese People\u2019s Political Consultative Conference, August 3, 2018, <a href=\"http:\/\/big5.china.com.cn\/gate\/big5\/grassland.china.com.cn\/2018-03\/08\/content_40245457.htm\">http:\/\/big5.china.com.cn\/gate\/big5\/grassland.china.com.cn\/2018-03\/08\/content_40245457.htm<\/a><br><strong>[4]<\/strong> Penpa Lhamo was speaking in Berlin as the leader of a delegation from the TAR during German-Chinese Tibetan Culture Week 2013. According to an official media report of the exchange, Penpa Lhamo told a German group: \u201cThe main reason why some Tibetan Buddhist monks burning themselves is because they are manipulated and brainwashed by the Dalai Clique. For instance, before each incident happened, someone was already aware of the time and location and had a camera, and prepared people to prevent public and security personnel from rescuing the self-immolator.\u201d In a clear disregard of the exile government\u2019s position, she added that: \u201cThe \u2018Tibetan government in exile\u2019 openly appreciated such inhumane behaviour, and even takes instigating others to burn themselves as its policy\u201d. October 23, 2013, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.chinatibetnews.com\/lyrw\/zxkj\/201501\/t20150130_263182.html\">http:\/\/www.chinatibetnews.com\/lyrw\/zxkj\/201501\/t20150130_263182.html<\/a><br><strong>[5]<\/strong> International Campaign for Tibet report and translation of the measures, August 15, 2007, <a href=\"https:\/\/savetibet.org\/new-measures-on-reincarnation-reveal-partys-objectives-of-political-control\/\">https:\/\/savetibet.org\/new-measures-on-reincarnation-reveal-partys-objectives-of-political-control\/<\/a><br><strong>[6]<\/strong> Tibet Daily, August 30, 2019 (in Chinese), <a href=\"http:\/\/epaper.chinatibetnews.com\/xzrb\/html\/2019-08\/30\/content_907141.htm\">http:\/\/epaper.chinatibetnews.com\/xzrb\/html\/2019-08\/30\/content_907141.htm<\/a><br><strong>[7]<\/strong> The Global Times highlighted this on September 7, 2017, when it stated: \u201cThe direction of religions is to integrate them with Chinese culture.\u201d China passes five-year plan to sinicise Islam, as Beijing tightens grip on major faiths in China, January 9, 2019, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/asia\/east-asia\/china-passes-five-year-plan-to-sinicise-islam-as-beijing-tightens-grip-on-major\">https:\/\/www.straitstimes.com\/asia\/east-asia\/china-passes-five-year-plan-to-sinicise-islam-as-beijing-tightens-grip-on-major<\/a><br><strong>[8]<\/strong> International Campaign for Tibet report, \u2018China\u2019s revised religious regulations threaten survival of Tibetan Buddhism\u2019, September 17, 2017, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.savetibet.org\/chinas-revised-religious-regulations-threaten-survival-of-tibetan-buddhism\/\">https:\/\/www.savetibet.org\/chinas-revised-religious-regulations-threaten-survival-of-tibetan-buddhism\/<\/a><br><strong>[9]<\/strong> This was flagged from his arrival in Lhasa in June, when the state media reported: \u201cOn June 11, the Panchen Erdeni Choskyi Gyalpo, a member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People\u2019s Political Consultative Conference and a vice president of the Buddhist Association of China, arrived in Lhasa by plane to conduct research and Buddhist activities.\u201d China Tibet Online, June 28, 2019, <a href=\"http:\/\/eng.tibet.cn\/eng\/news\/tibetan\/201906\/t20190628_6623271.html\">http:\/\/eng.tibet.cn\/eng\/news\/tibetan\/201906\/t20190628_6623271.html<\/a><br><strong>[10]<\/strong> Underscoring China\u2019s claim to one of the disputed areas on the border with India, in October, 2017, Party Secretary and President Xi Jinping took the unusual step of writing to a Tibetan family to help them safeguard the zone.<br><strong>[11]<\/strong> China Tibet Online, August 7, 2019, <a href=\"http:\/\/eng.tibet.cn\/eng\/news\/tibetan\/201908\/t20190807_6656885.html\">http:\/\/eng.tibet.cn\/eng\/news\/tibetan\/201908\/t20190807_6656885.html<\/a><br><strong>[12]<\/strong> A state media report stated that: \u201cOn July 22, the 11th Panchen Lama came to Khorchak Monastery, a famous monastery of the Sakya sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Khorchak Monastery, located in Burang County, was built by the Tibetan translator Rinchen Zangpo in the year 996 AD and is over 1,000 years old.\u201d (July 29, 2019, <a href=\"http:\/\/eng.tibet.cn\/eng\/news\/tibetan\/201907\/t20190729_6647115.html\">http:\/\/eng.tibet.cn\/eng\/news\/tibetan\/201907\/t20190729_6647115.html<\/a>). <br><strong>[13]<\/strong> Official website, Tibet.cn, August 21, 2019, <a href=\"http:\/\/eng.tibet.cn\/eng\/index\/bjtj\/201908\/t20190821_6667056.html\">http:\/\/eng.tibet.cn\/eng\/index\/bjtj\/201908\/t20190821_6667056.html<\/a> The report stated that: \u201cThe Panchen Lama arrived in Nagchu on August 4 after carrying out various Buddhist and social activities in Ngari. [\u2026] On August 8, the Panchen Lama held a discussion with representatives of religious circles in Nagchu.\u201d<br><strong>[14]<\/strong> Article by the Press Trust of India, \u2018India should not interfere in selection of Dalai Lama\u2019s successor: China\u2019, July 14, 2019, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/pti-stories\/next-dalai-lama-must-be-chosen-within-china-india-should-not-intervene-chinese-authorities-119071400468_1.html\">https:\/\/www.business-standard.com\/article\/pti-stories\/next-dalai-lama-must-be-chosen-within-china-india-should-not-intervene-chinese-authorities-119071400468_1.html<\/a><br><strong>[15]<\/strong> Ibid.<br><strong>[16]<\/strong> From Chapter Four, \u201cThe Tibetan Buddhist World\u201d, University of Chicago Press, 2018.<br><strong>[17]<\/strong> Full translation of his blog and analysis by the International Campaign for Tibet, May 2, 2016, \u2018The \u201cpoisonous fruit\u201d of Tibet\u2019s religious policy as China publishes \u2018Living Buddha\u2019 database\u2019, <a href=\"https:\/\/savetibet.org\/the-poisonous-fruit-of-tibets-religious-policy-as-china-publishes-living-buddha-database\/#8\">https:\/\/savetibet.org\/the-poisonous-fruit-of-tibets-religious-policy-as-china-publishes-living-buddha-database\/#8<\/a><br><strong>[18]<\/strong> Global Times (in English), November 6, 2016, and Tibet.cn in Chinese on November 5, 2016<br><strong>[19]<\/strong> \u201cLiving Buddhas\u201d (Chinese: huofo) is a Chinese term which misrepresents Tibetan conceptions of the system. In his book \u201cThe Buddha Party\u201d, John Powers writes: \u201c[The use of this term] implies that tulkus regard themselves as buddhas, but most are believed to be bodhissatvas. Most are reincarnations of deceased religious figures, but only a few are construed as buddhas by the tradition. Most tulkus are thus better understood as buddhas-in-training following the path to awakening and working for the benefit of others.\u201d (Oxford University Press, 2017).<br><strong>[20]<\/strong> In 2016 the development of an online database of Party-approved Tibetan Buddhist reincarnations was announced. This was consistent with the 2007 measures demonstrating the Party\u2019s agenda to undermine and supplant the Tibetan religious hierarchy and weaken the authority of legitimate Tibetan religious leaders including the Dalai Lama. International Campaign for Tibet report, \u2018The \u201cpoisonous fruit\u201d of Tibet\u2019s religious policy as China publishes \u2018Living Buddha\u2019 database\u2019, May 2, 2016, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.savetibet.org\/the-poisonous-fruit-of-tibets-religious-policy-as-china-publishes-living-buddha-database\/\">https:\/\/www.savetibet.org\/the-poisonous-fruit-of-tibets-religious-policy-as-china-publishes-living-buddha-database\/<\/a><br><strong>[21]<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.dalailama.com\/messages\/retirement-and-reincarnation\/reincarnation\">https:\/\/www.dalailama.com\/messages\/retirement-and-reincarnation\/reincarnation<\/a><br><strong>[22]<\/strong> International Campaign for Tibet press release, Congress will \u201cnever\u201d recognize Chinese-appointed Dalai Lama, Senator says\u2019, April 9, 2019, <a href=\"https:\/\/savetibet.org\/congress-will-never-recognize-chinese-appointed-dalai-lama-senator-says\/\">https:\/\/savetibet.org\/congress-will-never-recognize-chinese-appointed-dalai-lama-senator-says\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chinese Communist Party authorities have stepped up efforts to control the succession of the Dalai Lama by hosting their first major training on reincarnation involving monks from prominent Tibetan monasteries.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":12287,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"categorie":[691],"news_tag":[670],"class_list":["post-12286","nieuws","type-nieuws","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","categorie-news","news_tag-culture-and-religion"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>China steps up discredited attempts to control Dalai Lama\u2019s succession - Campaign for Tibet<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/en\/news\/china-steps-up-discredited-attempts-to-control-dalai-lamas-succession\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"China steps up discredited attempts to control Dalai Lama\u2019s succession - Campaign for Tibet\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Chinese Communist Party authorities have stepped up efforts to control the succession of the Dalai Lama by hosting their first major training on reincarnation involving monks from prominent Tibetan monasteries.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/en\/news\/china-steps-up-discredited-attempts-to-control-dalai-lamas-succession\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Campaign for Tibet\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/internationalcampaignfortibetnederland\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/panchen-lama.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"630\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@savetibetorg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"18 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/savetibet.nl\\\/en\\\/news\\\/china-steps-up-discredited-attempts-to-control-dalai-lamas-succession\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/savetibet.nl\\\/en\\\/news\\\/china-steps-up-discredited-attempts-to-control-dalai-lamas-succession\\\/\",\"name\":\"China steps up discredited attempts to control Dalai Lama\u2019s succession - Campaign for Tibet\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/savetibet.nl\\\/en\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/savetibet.nl\\\/en\\\/news\\\/china-steps-up-discredited-attempts-to-control-dalai-lamas-succession\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/savetibet.nl\\\/en\\\/news\\\/china-steps-up-discredited-attempts-to-control-dalai-lamas-succession\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/savetibet.nl\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/panchen-lama.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2019-09-11T22:00:00+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/savetibet.nl\\\/en\\\/news\\\/china-steps-up-discredited-attempts-to-control-dalai-lamas-succession\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/savetibet.nl\\\/en\\\/news\\\/china-steps-up-discredited-attempts-to-control-dalai-lamas-succession\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/savetibet.nl\\\/en\\\/news\\\/china-steps-up-discredited-attempts-to-control-dalai-lamas-succession\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/savetibet.nl\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/panchen-lama.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/savetibet.nl\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/05\\\/panchen-lama.jpg\",\"width\":1200,\"height\":630},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/savetibet.nl\\\/en\\\/news\\\/china-steps-up-discredited-attempts-to-control-dalai-lamas-succession\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/savetibet.nl\\\/en\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"China steps up discredited attempts to control Dalai Lama\u2019s succession\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/savetibet.nl\\\/en\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/savetibet.nl\\\/en\\\/\",\"name\":\"Campaign for Tibet\",\"description\":\"LET OP: Plaats je bestelling v\u00f3\u00f3r 16 december om zeker te zijn dat je cadeau op tijd voor Kerst aankomt.\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/savetibet.nl\\\/en\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/savetibet.nl\\\/en\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/savetibet.nl\\\/en\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Campaign for Tibet\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/savetibet.nl\\\/en\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/savetibet.nl\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/savetibet.nl\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/05\\\/logo-round.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/savetibet.nl\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/05\\\/logo-round.png\",\"width\":150,\"height\":150,\"caption\":\"Campaign for Tibet\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/savetibet.nl\\\/en\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/internationalcampaignfortibetnederland\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/savetibetorg\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.instagram.com\\\/savetibeteurope\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/user\\\/ICTEurope\"]}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"China steps up discredited attempts to control Dalai Lama\u2019s succession - Campaign for Tibet","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/en\/news\/china-steps-up-discredited-attempts-to-control-dalai-lamas-succession\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"China steps up discredited attempts to control Dalai Lama\u2019s succession - Campaign for Tibet","og_description":"Chinese Communist Party authorities have stepped up efforts to control the succession of the Dalai Lama by hosting their first major training on reincarnation involving monks from prominent Tibetan monasteries.","og_url":"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/en\/news\/china-steps-up-discredited-attempts-to-control-dalai-lamas-succession\/","og_site_name":"Campaign for Tibet","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/internationalcampaignfortibetnederland\/","og_image":[{"width":1200,"height":630,"url":"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/panchen-lama.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_site":"@savetibetorg","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"18 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/en\/news\/china-steps-up-discredited-attempts-to-control-dalai-lamas-succession\/","url":"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/en\/news\/china-steps-up-discredited-attempts-to-control-dalai-lamas-succession\/","name":"China steps up discredited attempts to control Dalai Lama\u2019s succession - Campaign for Tibet","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/en\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/en\/news\/china-steps-up-discredited-attempts-to-control-dalai-lamas-succession\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/en\/news\/china-steps-up-discredited-attempts-to-control-dalai-lamas-succession\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/panchen-lama.jpg","datePublished":"2019-09-11T22:00:00+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/en\/news\/china-steps-up-discredited-attempts-to-control-dalai-lamas-succession\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/en\/news\/china-steps-up-discredited-attempts-to-control-dalai-lamas-succession\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/en\/news\/china-steps-up-discredited-attempts-to-control-dalai-lamas-succession\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/panchen-lama.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/panchen-lama.jpg","width":1200,"height":630},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/en\/news\/china-steps-up-discredited-attempts-to-control-dalai-lamas-succession\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/en\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"China steps up discredited attempts to control Dalai Lama\u2019s succession"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/en\/#website","url":"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/en\/","name":"Campaign for Tibet","description":"LET OP: Plaats je bestelling v\u00f3\u00f3r 16 december om zeker te zijn dat je cadeau op tijd voor Kerst aankomt.","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/en\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/en\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/en\/#organization","name":"Campaign for Tibet","url":"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/en\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/en\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/logo-round.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/logo-round.png","width":150,"height":150,"caption":"Campaign for Tibet"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/en\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/internationalcampaignfortibetnederland\/","https:\/\/x.com\/savetibetorg","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/savetibeteurope\/","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/user\/ICTEurope"]}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/nieuws\/12286","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/nieuws"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/nieuws"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12287"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12286"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"categorie","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categorie?post=12286"},{"taxonomy":"news_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/savetibet.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news_tag?post=12286"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}