Dalai Lama says his office has 'sole authority' to name successor

Tibetan spiritual leader addresses Buddhist gathering by video as China watches

20250702 Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama video letter

The Dalai Lama addresses via video the inaugural session at the 15th Tibetan Religious Conference in the northern hill town of Dharamshala, India, on July 2. © Reuters

KIRAN SHARMA

July 2, 2025 14:31 JST

Updated on July 2, 2025 19:15 JST

DHARAMSHALA, India -- Ahead of his 90th birthday this weekend, Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Wednesday said in a statement that the institution he represents will continue and that only members of his private office are responsible for selecting his successor.

In the statement, shared during the inaugural session of the three-day 15th Tibetan Religious Conference, the Dalai Lama stated that, based on various requests from Tibetans and other groups, "I am affirming that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue."