FNF hosts webinar on ‘The Future of Tibetan Leadership: Insights on His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Succession’

The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom South Asia hosted an insightful webinar titled ‘The Future of Tibetan Leadership: Insights on His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Succession’ on November 20. The discussion, held ahead of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday, explored his extraordinary legacy of peace, compassion and human rights, while addressing the challenges surrounding his succession. Moderated by Dr Anna Sawerthal, Editor of Der Standard, Austria, the webinar brought together prominent voices to discuss the future of Tibetan leadership.

The event opened with a video message from Sandra Weeser, Member of the German Bundestag and the Free Democratic Party. She highlighted the occasion as an opportunity to celebrate the Dalai Lama’s profound leadership and consider the future challenges for the Tibetan people, particularly regarding leadership transition. Weeser raised critical questions: How will Tibetans navigate their future post-Dalai Lama amidst increasing geopolitical pressures? How will they protect their right to select their spiritual leaders, especially against China's interference in Tibetan religious affairs?

Weeser reflected on her visit to Dharamsala, where she engaged with the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) and the Tibetan exile community. She praised their resilience and emphasised the urgent need to prepare for a smooth leadership transition. Calling on the international community, particularly Europe and Germany, she underscored their responsibility to safeguard Tibetan rights and amplify their voices. Condemning China’s attempts to control the reincarnation process of Tibetan spiritual leaders, she reaffirmed the importance of protecting the Tibetans’ autonomy in matters of faith and governance.

In another video message, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, head of the CTA, expressed gratitude to the organisers for highlighting the Dalai Lama’s autonomous reincarnation. He emphasised the significance of addressing China's efforts to control this sacred process. Tsering detailed how China uses legal mechanisms and propaganda to interfere in Tibetan Buddhist practices, particularly in recognising reincarnated leaders. He outlined the CTA's official stance, asserting that reincarnation is a religious tradition unique to Tibetan Buddhism and must remain free from political influence.

Tsering also stressed the CTA’s commitment to ensuring the Dalai Lama’s wishes are respected. He appreciated the support from democratic nations like the United States, which endorsed His Holiness’s stance, and urged others to do the same. The CTA continues to stand firm in its efforts to safeguard Tibetan Buddhism, protect its religious traditions, and counter China's encroachments.

Ven. Geshe Lhakdor, Director of the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives, delved deeper into the spiritual and cultural dimensions of reincarnation. He emphasised its profound roots in Tibetan Buddhism, explaining how it serves as a testament to the continuity of the mind and spiritual service. Lhakdor criticised China’s attempts to manipulate this sacred process as ignorant and self-serving, aimed at undermining Tibetan identity.

He underscored that the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama is a matter for His Holiness, the Tibetan community, and Buddhist practitioners alone. He described China's claims as illegitimate and pointed out their lack of international credibility, citing the failure of China's recognition of other Tibetan lamas. Highlighting the unique contributions of Tibetan Buddhism to global understanding of the human mind, Lhakdor called for continued international support to counter China's interference.

Professor Anand Kumar, President of the India-Tibet Friendship Society, spoke about the evolving situation surrounding the Dalai Lama’s leadership. Over the past 15 years, the Dalai Lama has transitioned to being primarily a spiritual figure, having delegated secular authority to the Tibetan Parliament in Exile. Kumar noted that this shift has fortified the Parliament’s legitimacy and ensured continuity in leadership.

He highlighted the historical alignment between India and Tibet, particularly the Indian public’s trust in Tibetan narratives over Chinese claims. This alignment, coupled with the exile community's consistent fact-based advocacy, has strengthened Tibet's credibility on the global stage. Kumar stressed the importance of unity within the exile community and called on India to maintain its steadfast support for Tibet, particularly in light of rising tensions with China.

Chemi Lhamo, Tibetan-Canadian activist and Campaign Director of Students for Free Tibet, offered a compelling call to action. She likened China’s involvement in the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation to a foreign government deciding the Pope’s successor, emphasising its absurdity. The reincarnation process, she asserted, is deeply personal and spiritual, leaving no room for political interference, especially from a regime actively suppressing Tibetan culture.

Lhamo highlighted the plight of Tibetan children subjected to forced assimilation policies, recently condemned by UN experts. She pointed to the Chinese government’s appointment of a ‘fake’ Panchen Lama as a tactic to undermine Tibetan resistance. Despite these challenges, Lhamo praised the unyielding devotion of Tibetans to their culture and the Dalai Lama’s leadership. She urged the international community to adopt measures similar to the US 2020 Tibet Support and Policy Act, which imposes consequences for Chinese interference.

Tenzin Desal, Senior Research Fellow at the Tibet Policy Institute, examined China’s strategies to exert control over Tibet through state-making and nation-building. State-making involves extensive infrastructure projects, such as advanced railway networks, aimed at consolidating China’s grip on the region. More significantly, the omnipresence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in Tibetan governance underscores a deliberate effort to suppress autonomy.

Nation-building, on the other hand, focuses on promoting the narrative that Tibet is an inseparable part of China. Desal noted that this strategy has faced significant resistance, particularly during the 2008 Tibetan protests, which demanded freedom and the Dalai Lama’s return. These protests revealed the enduring strength of Tibetan identity and highlighted the failure of China’s nation-building agenda.

Desal emphasised that these strategies, despite their coercive intent, are met with steadfast Tibetan resistance. Understanding the resilience of the Tibetan identity amidst such oppression is crucial to appreciating the broader Tibetan struggle.

The webinar concluded with a resounding message of hope and determination. Each speaker highlighted the unique challenges and opportunities facing the Tibetan community as they navigate the future of their leadership. From safeguarding spiritual traditions to advocating for human rights, the discussions underscored the importance of international solidarity in supporting Tibet’s cause.

As His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday approaches, this event served as a powerful reminder of his enduring legacy and the collective resolve of the Tibetan people to preserve their culture, identity, and autonomy. The Tibetan struggle remains a beacon of resilience in the face of adversity, and the global community must continue to stand with them in their pursuit of justice and freedom.