Statement Affirming the Continuation of the Institution of Dalai Lama
For centuries, the Dalai Lama has embodied both spiritual leadership and the collective identity of the Tibetan people. As the 14th Dalai Lama enters the later decades of his life, the question of succession—and whether the institution itself should continue—has grown increasingly urgent, especially amid ongoing challenges to Tibetan autonomy and faith traditions.
His Holiness has issued the following official statement from Dharamshala on 21 May 2025, reaffirming the continuation of the institution of the Dalai Lama, and clearly delineating the process and authority for the recognition of future reincarnations.
(Translated from the original Tibetan)
On 24 September 2011, at a meeting of the heads of Tibetan spiritual traditions, I made a statement to fellow Tibetans in and outside Tibet, followers of Tibetan Buddhism, and those who have a connection with Tibet and Tibetans, regarding whether the institution of the Dalai Lama should continue. I stated, “As far back as 1969, I made clear that concerned people should decide whether the Dalai Lama’s reincarnations should continue in the future.” I also said, “When I am about ninety I will consult the high Lamas of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions, the Tibetan public, and other concerned people who follow Tibetan Buddhism, to re-evaluate whether or not the institution of the Dalai Lama should continue.” Although I have had no public discussions on this issue, over the last 14 years leaders of Tibet’s spiritual traditions, members of the Tibetan Parliament in Exile, participants in a Special General Body Meeting, members of the Central Tibetan Administration, NGOs, Buddhists from the Himalayan region, Mongolia, Buddhist republics of the Russian Federation and Buddhists in Asia including mainland China, have written to me with reasons, earnestly requesting that the institution of the Dalai Lama continue. In particular, I have received messages through various channels from Tibetans in Tibet making the same appeal. In accordance with all these requests, I am affirming that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue. The process by which a future Dalai Lama is to be recognized has been clearly established in the 24 September 2011 statement which states that responsibility for doing so will rest exclusively with members of the Gaden Phodrang Trust, the Office of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. They should consult the various heads of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions and the reliable oath-bound Dharma Protectors who are linked inseparably to the lineage of the Dalai Lamas. They should accordingly carry out the procedures of search and recognition in accordance with past tradition. I hereby reiterate that the Gaden Phodrang Trust has sole authority to recognize the future reincarnation; no one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter. Dalai Lama Dharamshala 21 May 2025 |
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Gaden Phodrang Trust – The Gaden Phodrang Foundation of the Dalai Lama was founded by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet, Tenzin Gyatso in 2015 and is based in Zurich, Switzerland. It has been set up to maintain and support the tradition and institution of the Dalai Lama with regard to the religious and spiritual duties of the Dalai Lama.
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