Tibetan Buddhists Believe Dalai Lama Reincarnated

The Dalai Lama is Reincarnated

On December 17, 1933, the 13th Dalai Lama died in Lhasa, Tibet, prompting a search for his reincarnation. Tenzin Gyatso, the current Dalai Lama, was born on July 6, 1935, in Taktser, Tibet. The discovery of the Dalai Lama's reincarnation is a complex process that has been refined over centuries.

What Everyone Knows

Most people think that the Dalai Lama's reincarnation is a simple matter of spiritual succession, with the new Dalai Lama being discovered through visions and omens. The standard story goes that the High Lamas of the Gelugpa order, the dominant school of Tibetan Buddhism, use mystical means to locate the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama. However, this understanding oversimplifies the intricate process that involves a combination of spiritual, historical, and cultural factors.

What History Actually Shows

Historian Giuseppe Tucci writes in his book "The Religions of Tibet" that the concept of reincarnation in Tibetan Buddhism dates back to the 12th century. On April 25, 1253, the Tibetan monk Karma Pakshi was recognized as the reincarnation of the first Karmapa, establishing the tradition of tulku, or reincarnated lamas. Tibetan Buddhist scholar, R.A. Stein, notes in his work "Tibetan Civilization" that the process of finding the Dalai Lama's reincarnation involves a thorough search of the region, guided by the Nechung Oracle, a monk-medium who is believed to be possessed by the spirit of the deity Pehar, providing crucial clues to the location of the reincarnation. On October 27, 1937, the Regent of Tibet, Jamphel Yeshi, officially recognized Tenzin Gyatso as the 14th Dalai Lama, following an extensive search and verification process. Historian Melvyn Goldstein documents in his book "A History of Modern Tibet" that the search for the Dalai Lama's reincarnation is a meticulous process, involving the scrutiny of visions, dreams, and omens reported by High Lamas, as well as the examination of the young candidates' physical and behavioral characteristics, to ensure the authenticity of the reincarnation. The search process can take several years, as it did in the case of the 14th Dalai Lama, who was not enthroned until February 22, 1940.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians and scholars have consistently overlooked the complex process of finding the Dalai Lama's reincarnation, and this lack of attention can be attributed to the British colonial administration's deliberate efforts to suppress Tibetan Buddhist practices in the early 20th century. The British government, led by Lord Curzon, implemented policies to undermine Tibetan autonomy and cultural identity, which included dismissing the significance of the Dalai Lama's reincarnation. As a result, the story of the Dalai Lama's reincarnation was relegated to the margins of historical records, and the intricate rituals and traditions surrounding it were not thoroughly documented. The decision to prioritize British interests over Tibetan cultural heritage led to a significant gap in the historical narrative, making it challenging for researchers to reconstruct the events surrounding the Dalai Lama's reincarnation. Furthermore, the Chinese government's subsequent occupation of Tibet in the 1950s further complicated the preservation of Tibetan Buddhist history, as many historical records and artifacts were destroyed or lost.

The Ripple Effect

The suppression of Tibetan Buddhist practices and the lack of understanding about the Dalai Lama's reincarnation have had concrete consequences, including the disruption of the traditional Tibetan Buddhist monastic system. The Chinese government's efforts to control the selection of the Dalai Lama's reincarnation have led to the current situation, where the Chinese government has appointed its own candidate, while the Tibetan Buddhist community recognizes a different individual as the rightful Dalai Lama. A specific modern consequence of this event is the development of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, which was established in response to the Chinese occupation and continues to advocate for Tibetan autonomy and cultural preservation. This organization has played a crucial role in preserving Tibetan Buddhist traditions and promoting awareness about the Dalai Lama's reincarnation.

The Line That Says It All

The Dalai Lama's reincarnation remains a highly contested and politicized issue, with the Chinese government's candidate and the Tibetan Buddhist community's recognized Dalai Lama existing in a state of unresolved tension.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to Tibetan Buddhism and the history of the Dalai Lama's reincarnation.