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Spirituality

Dalai Lama warns that he may be the last

By T.K. Randall
December 23, 2014 · Comment icon 48 comments

The 14th and possibly last Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. Image Credit: CC BY 2.0 Christopher Michel
The Tibetan spiritual leader has stated that he does not want his role to pass to a 'stupid' successor.
Exiled from his homeland, the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, has been a prominent figure on the world stage for decades.

As the Buddhist leader reaches his eighth decade however it has become increasingly unclear as to whether there will actually be another Daila Lama to continue the line after he dies.

The main point of contention lies in China's insistence that it will choose a successor instead of the high lamas, as is traditional.
"The Dalai Lama institution will cease one day. These man-made institutions will cease," said Gyatso.

"There is no guarantee that some stupid Dalai Lama won't come next, who will disgrace himself or herself. That would be very sad. So, much better that a centuries-old tradition should cease at the time of a quite popular Dalai Lama."

Ultimately, Gyatso insists, it is the people of Tibet who will have the final say on the matter.

Source: Independent | Comments (48)




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Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #39 Posted by third_eye 9 years ago
And a few more immolating monks to usher in the New Year ... ~
Comment icon #40 Posted by White Crane Feather 9 years ago
Maybe he doesn't "believe" anything, but I suspect he thinks that most of what he stands for is pretty close to truth. That is one of the foundations of happiness -- don't "believe" and question everything, so that one does not suffer guilt when one doubts but can accept doubts happily. But what happens to Buddhism if they eliminate this tradition? I don't want to see it go. Now I'm interested in the behaviour of last Dali Lamas. Any sources you can recommend?
Comment icon #41 Posted by Beany 9 years ago
But what happens to Buddhism if they eliminate this tradition? I don't want to see it go. Now I'm interested in the behaviour of last Dali Lamas. Any sources you can recommend? I don't think tradition will be totally eliminated, I'm guessing it will morph or change in a way that better supports modern practitioners living in current time. Which I think would be very cool. Jettison the dogma and find ways to support people struggling with the current issues found in today's modern society.
Comment icon #42 Posted by third_eye 9 years ago
Philosophy is not a Luxury by Jeff Carreira. The philosophical ideas discussed in this book mainly belong to the classical American philosophers Charles Sanders Peirce, William James, and John Dewey. These three minds were the originators of the philosophy called pragmatism, which remains to this day America’s most significant contribution to world philosophy. The essays represent a general progression of thought, each building upon the last. They are suggested to be read as complete in themselves in order to see what questions and avenues for further inquiry they open up for you. Each essay... [More]
Comment icon #43 Posted by DieChecker 9 years ago
Haveing a minor in humanities centered on transposition of literature to film probably makes me think way to much about it, So you probably had a field day with The Hobbit movies??
Comment icon #44 Posted by Frank Merton 9 years ago
But what happens to Buddhism if they eliminate this tradition? I don't want to see it go. Now I'm interested in the behaviour of last Dali Lamas. Any sources you can recommend? Buddhism will do fine without the Dalai Lama. What happens to Tibetan Buddhism is another question, but it is being destroyed anyway by the influx of Chinese into Tibet. Nothing is permanent, not even Buddhism and its institutions.
Comment icon #45 Posted by DieChecker 9 years ago
Buddhism will do fine without the Dalai Lama. What happens to Tibetan Buddhism is another question, but it is being destroyed anyway by the influx of Chinese into Tibet. Nothing is permanent, not even Buddhism and its institutions. I'd heard that Christianity and other religions were actually becoming more common in China. Perhaps the Tibetan Buddhists could influence the new Chinese immigrants into followers?
Comment icon #46 Posted by third_eye 9 years ago
The local and distinct Tibetan culture unique to Tibet Buddhism is what keeps Tibet afloat and relevant today ~ Dalai or no dalai ~ Llamas still roam free ~
Comment icon #47 Posted by mskate 9 years ago
well, at best , we have documentation of this last 14th Dalai Lama.... A lot of film and lectures...
Comment icon #48 Posted by Nonnie1g4b 9 years ago
I have the most respect for HH the Dalai Lama XIV. His teachings are fabulous. His main teaching is to realize our place in the universe, that we are all connected. We should love and respect one another. He teaches that Peace has NEVER been won through war. (I suspect that the Crusades did as much or more killing than any other religion.) He teaches that "Freedom is the real source of happiness and creativity. Irrespective of whether you are a believer, Buddhist, Christian, or Jew, the important thing is to be a good human being." He also teaches that "My religion is simple. My religion is ki... [More]


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