Amid renewed tensions with China over the issue of succession, it is interesting to know how the term ‘Dalai Lama’ came to be. The title “Dalai Lama” is not a personal name but a religious title
The elderly Dalai Lama, earlier this week, assured followers that upon his death, he would be reincarnated as the next spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism and spelt out a succession process, setting up a renewed clash with China. The statement made days before the Nobel peace laureate turns 90 put to rest speculation, started by the Dalai Lama himself, that he may be the last of Tibet’s spiritual leaders, ending a line that stretches back centuries. The 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, has expressed uncertainty in multiple interviews over whether the centuries-old tradition of recognising a reincarnated Dalai Lama should continue. However, renewing the tussle with China, the Dalai Lama now said that a successor would be chosen.
