Tibetan leader Penpa Tsering has accused China of attempting to control the selection of the next Dalai Lama, warning that Beijing’s interference in Tibetan Buddhist traditions threatens religious freedom and the community’s right to determine its spiritual succession.
China is attempting to gain control over the selection of the next Dalai Lama to strengthen its influence over Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, the elected political leader of the Central Tibetan Administration, has alleged.
In an exclusive interview with IANS in Washington, Tsering said Beijing’s efforts to influence the reincarnation process had become a major concern for Tibetans and international supporters of religious freedom. He alleged that Chinese authorities believed controlling the next Dalai Lama would provide them with greater political and religious authority over Tibet.
“They believe that if they can control the next Dalai Lama’s reincarnation, they can control the whole of Tibet,” Tsering said, referring to the Chinese government.
The Tibetan leader accused Beijing of interfering in the religious affairs of monasteries by demanding loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party. He claimed that religious institutions were increasingly being directed towards political education, including the study of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s ideology, instead of focusing on traditional Buddhist teachings and religious scholarship.
According to Tsering, China has introduced regulations governing the recognition of reincarnated religious figures and intends to retain final authority over the identification of the 15th Dalai Lama. He argued that the process of religious succession should remain within Tibetan Buddhist traditions rather than being controlled by a government that does not recognise religion.
Tsering also referred to the Dalai Lama’s public statement ahead of his 90th birthday in July 2025, saying the spiritual leader had indicated that his next reincarnation would take place in a free world, outside China’s control.
He questioned how a government that does not believe in religion could claim authority over a centuries-old spiritual tradition followed by Tibetan Buddhists.
Highlighting previous concerns surrounding China’s involvement in religious succession, Tsering cited the case of the Panchen Lama recognised by the Dalai Lama. He said the Tibetan leadership still did not know the whereabouts of the religious figure, raising concerns about Beijing’s intentions regarding future appointments.
He further alleged that China had promoted its own Panchen Lama and could potentially use that figure to influence the identification of the next Dalai Lama. Tsering described such interference as unacceptable to followers of the current spiritual leader.
The Tibetan administration, he said, was preparing for the eventual transition while remaining guided by the Dalai Lama’s own instructions regarding reincarnation. He stressed that the issue was fundamentally about protecting Tibetans’ religious freedom and their right to follow their spiritual traditions without political interference.
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Tsering also welcomed bipartisan support in the United States for Tibet-related issues, referring to legislation updated in 2020 that provides for sanctions against Chinese officials involved in interfering with the Dalai Lama’s succession process.
He additionally highlighted India’s importance as a partner for Tibetans, pointing to its religious diversity and commitment to freedom of belief.
Tsering maintained that Tibetans would continue to defend their religious traditions and the right to recognise their next spiritual leader independently, amid growing concerns over China’s potential intervention.
