Dalai Lama successor: After India snubs China, Tibet's president-in-exile picks apart 'Golden Urn' tradition

In response to China's remarks on the succession of the Dalai Lama, Penpa Tsering , the president of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), questioned Beijing’s claim over religious matters, including the selection of the next Tibetan spiritual leader.

Speaking on China's insistence that the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama must follow the 'Golden Urn' process, Tsering said, "That's for the Chinese government to decide whether the government that does not believe in religion wants to interfere in the religious freedom of Tibetan people; not just occupy our country but also force a lot of things on us, including religious freedom to choose our own spiritual leader."


He added, "So, that is very unfortunate, and Chinese government always keeps saying something. They are saying that we broke from tradition. What tradition is the Chinese Government talking about? The Golden Urn? This was introduced only in 1793, late 18th century. There have been 8 Dalai Lamas before that. Are those not Dalai Lamas because there was no Golden Urn?"

#WATCH | Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh: On China's statement on the successor of Dalai Lama, Penpa Tsering Sikyong, President of the Central Tibetan Administration, says, "...That's for the Chinese Government to decide whether that Government does not believe in religion wants to… pic.twitter.com/iyZXgvGYZ1

— ANI (@ANI) July 4, 2025

The comments from the Tibetan administration-in-exile came after minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said on Thursday that the choice of the next Dalai Lama rests only with the current Dalai Lama and the religious traditions of Tibetan Buddhism .

Rijiju said, "The Dalai Lama is the most important and defining institution for the Buddhists. And all those who follow the Dalai Lama feel that the Incarnation is to be decided by the established convention and as per the wish of the Dalai Lama himself. Nobody else has the right to decide it except him and the conventions in place."

This was the first official response from a senior minister after the Dalai Lama spoke publicly about his succession plan.

Earlier this week, China rejected the Tibetan spiritual leader’s plan, with Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning reiterating that the selection must go through a process approved by Beijing.

Also read: 'No one can decide except Dalai Lama, set convention': India's first reaction over next successor; Kiren Rijiju snubs China

"The Dalai Lama's reincarnation must follow the principles of domestic recognition, the ‘Golden Urn’ process, and approval by the central government, in line with religious traditions and laws,” Mao said at a media briefing in Beijing.

This comes after Dalai Lama declared that the Gaden Phodrang Trust, a non-profit institution he established, has the sole authority to recognise his future reincarnation.

The 'Golden Urn' system, which China refers to as a traditional method for selecting high-ranking Tibetan lamas, was introduced during the Qing dynasty in 1793.