One is paraded to serve its master's purposes and the other is the Panchen Lama accepted in the hearts of all the Tibetans.Īnswer: In general, I always state that I have three commitments in life. There is a Chinese-appointed Panchen Lama and there is the Panchen Lama chosen by me. It will be similar to the present situation of the Panchen Lama. Of course the Chinese will still choose their own Dalai Lama and we Tibetans will choose our own according to tradition. Thus if the Tibetan situation still remains unsolved it is logical I will be born in exile to continue my unfinished work. The very purpose of a reincarnation is to continue the unfinished work of the previous incarnation. What do you have to say about this?Īnswer: If the present situation regarding Tibet remains the same, I will be born outside Tibet away from the control of the Chinese authorities. Question: The Chinese have recently stated that the next Dalai Lama will be born in Tibet and chosen by them. By amicably resolving the Tibetan issue, China will be able to contribute to her own unity and stability. We Tibetans will be able to develop Tibet with China's assistance, while at the same time preserving our own unique culture, including spirituality, and our delicate environment. I firmly believe that this is of mutual benefit both to the Tibetans as well as to the Chinese. I am committed to my middle-way approach whereby Tibet remains within the People's Republic of China enjoying a high degree of self-rule or autonomy. Besides, I am not seeking separation from China. Global interdependence, especially in terms of economics and environment make it impossible for nations to remain isolated. If you compare China today to ten or twenty years ago, there is tremendous change. Question: Do you think you will ever be able to return to Tibet?Īnswer: Yes, I remain optimistic that I will be able to return to Tibet. Half jokingly and half seriously, I state that I am now in semi-retirement.
The Kalon Tripa runs the daily affairs of our administration and is in charge of our political establishment. More recently, since 2001 we now have a democratically elected head of our administration, the Kalon Tripa. In the future, if the Dalai Lama's institution is no longer relevant or useful and our present situation changes, then the Dalai Lama's institution will cease to exist.Personally, I feel the institution of the Dalai Lama has served its purpose. Thus, if I were to die today, I think the Tibetan people would choose to have another Dalai Lama.
At the present moment, the Dalai Lama's institution is useful to the Tibetan culture and the Tibetan people. The constitution clearly mentions that the power of the Dalai Lama can be removed by a two-thirds majority vote of the members of the Assembly. Even in 1963, after four years in exile, we made a draft constitution for a future Tibet which is based on the democratic system. Question: Will you be the last Dalai Lama?Īnswer: Whether the institution of the Dalai Lama remains or not depends entirely on the wishes of the Tibetan people. This is not voluntary work but something that I feel I must pursue because of the hope and trust that the Tibetan people place on me.
It is a big responsibility for someone not so well equipped. Regarding politics, I have no modern education except for a little experience. I have some kind of confidence in it, and thus I want to study it more. The spiritual or religious life is something I know and have great interest in. So naturally I feel myself as more of a religious person.Įven in my daily life, I can say that I spend 80% of my time on spiritual activities and 20% on Tibet as a whole. Deep down inside, I always consider myself a monk, even in my dreams. But being a monk is something which belongs to me. As long as the people accept the Dalai Lama, they will accept me. I feel that the Dalai Lama as a temporal ruler is a man-made institution. Answer: I always consider myself as a simple Buddhist monk.
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