What does the Dalai Lama mean to Tibetans?

The Dalai Lama is one of the most significant and respected figures in Tibetan Buddhism.

Despite no longer holding any political power within the Tibetan government in exile, he remains a figurehead for many Tibetans around the world – acting as an ambassador for peace and a focal point for Tibetan culture.

We asked three Tibetan friends at Free Tibet and Tibet Watch to share their views on the importance of the Dalai Lama, both to the Tibetan people and internationally. Here is what they had to say

What are your personal thoughts on the topic of the succession of the Dalai Lama?

Tenzin Rabga Tashi
Campaigns Officer, Free Tibet

As a young Tibetan it does concern me that His Holiness will wait until he is 90 to discuss it. I respect that choice, but the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) have been capitalising off this moment, they are making preparations for when His Holiness will pass and Tibetans will be without his leadership.

His succession is the continuation of his being, not just his legacy. All future Dalai Lama will carry the weight that he has carried, that same level of emotional connection to the Tibetan people as he has now. China is trying to break this. We have never faced this level of threat before, it is more malicious than the crackdowns on religious institutions and languages. Already they have done everything they can, even adjusting borders and making other countries recognise Tibet as Chinese.

The Dalai Lama is the last ember of hope. We are doing everything we can so that they can’t snuff it out.

Tenzin Kunga
Advocacy Officer, Free Tibet

First and foremost is the importance of His Holiness’ 2011 statement, as this is the only definitive statement from his office about his reincarnation – what the international community would call his ‘succession’. This document establishes a timeline for when he would talk about succession, being when he turns 90 according to the Western calendar. That’s when we will know His Holiness’ thoughts on the topic.

Personally, I am concerned for most Tibetans, as this is a sensitive topic for them. They do not want to talk about someone’s passing when they are alive, but we understand that we need to prepare and be ready for it – so from that perspective I don’t mind discussing it.

Over the years, His Holiness has consistently stated that he senses he will live 113 years, if we go by that statement then our concern over the succession comes too early. In my head, I think that it’s too early, but as far as our preparations go it is important to sensitise the new government to this matter. It is right that, at the very beginning, we introduce this important topic to them so that they are aware the Dalai Lama plays and important role for Tibetans.

The UK government must support and understand this, and support his voice and authority on reincarnation which will ultimately benefit the cause of Tibet – it will at least indirectly say that China has no say on the Dalai Lama’s succession.

Tenzin Choekyi
Senior Researcher, Tibet Watch

The first thing that comes to mind is how long this issue has been discussed, and how often foreign journalists have pressed the Dalai Lama for answers regarding succession. This continued to the point where he responded to the journalists saying “do I look like I will die anytime soon?” Even after making clear that there is no rush, there are concerns. Though there is no rush, this is still an important topic.

This is a longstanding concern which has at times just frustrated the Dalai Lama himself. However, there has been one good thing that came out of this; more Buddhist groups around the world discussing and making statements supporting the Dalai Lama and saying that this matter is for the Tibetan people, not the Chinese government.

Secondly, His Holiness has clarified that he knows he will live up to 113 years-old. He says that again and again, and Tibetan people keep hope, so in the event of his death that will be a big issue. The danger though is he has said the Tibetan issue is not about him being alive or dead, but about the country of Tibet and for the Tibetan people to have the freedom to live their lives in their own way.

This is the biggest danger of the Dalai Lama’s geopolitics – we must make it clear that the Tibetan issue has been championed by his leadership, but it won’t go away with his death. We need governments to support the Tibetan cause.

What in your opinion is the importance of the Dalai Lama, both to Tibet and to the international community?

Tenzin Rabga Tashi
Campaigns Officer, Free Tibet

He is a symbol of peace, of non-violent resistance. He himself has advocated for a ‘middle way’ approach. Even though other peoples have taken the violent path, it is paved with bloodshed and displaced millions. The way that we have gone about it is to exile ourselves, but to build a life outside of Tibet, a life that is still connected to Tibet. We have our own democratic system that Tibetans in Tibet do not have.

Some people would call His Holiness our god, in a way they aren’t wrong. I wouldn’t call him a god, more like the north star; he is there as a shining example.

For me, he is not only a person. He transcends that and elevates that. I feel as a Tibetan I am elevated following him, striving to better myself. He is the shining light for over 6 million Tibetans.

Tenzin Kunga
Advocacy Officer, Free Tibet

When talking about the Dalai Lama’s importance… I fall short of words. He is such an integral part of Tibet’s hope, aspiration and identity – not just to the Tibetan diaspora like me, but to those Tibetans inside Tibet too. These Tibetans may not know about the Tibetan government in exile, but all know His Holiness the Dalai Lama. He is the bridge between independent Tibet and a Tibet that is under occupation.

Ultimately, what we are all fighting for is to restore freedom to the Tibetan people. The voices and concerns of those living inside Tibet matter, and for them the Dalai Lama is everything.

For the international community, simply look at His Holiness’ lifelong achievements:

• Fostering a sense of oneness of humanity, 7 billion people as one big family. He is not just saying this, but actively working towards applying that philosophy.
• Building inter-religious harmony, all religions bridge the same common thing; compassion and kindness. His Holiness strives to bring international religious leaders together.
• Acting as Tibet’s figurehead and using that responsibility to promote the Tibetan culture and way of life.
• As someone who has lived in exile for over 65 years, he has not seen his home in so long. He has lived most of his life in India, and he has said that he is like a son of India. He feels a responsibility, having lived in India so long, that he should also restore the ancient Indian wisdom and culture to the world.

There are not just words and rhetoric, but commitments. He is a global peace icon and people of different ideologies and faiths are united in showing respect and appreciation to His Holiness. He has earned this through his work, dedication and discipline. He is always there in front of cameras and media for the world’s attention, remaining consistent in his statements.

He continues to inspire millions of people around the world.

Tenzin Choekyi
Senior Researcher, Tibet Watch

This question was actually asked to a political prisoner who said that “he represents an independent Tibet, he was there leading the country.” Him leading Tibet from exile is an embodiment of history in the making even after seven decades of colonisation. His history speaks of all the upheavals, but also represents the good. Over the past seven decades he has popularised the religion and language of Tibet during one of the darkest periods of our history.

In his books, the Dalai Lama wrote that, when he went to the West seeking support for Tibet, he was saddened by the rampant industrialisation and societies made to suffer. He decided that he could not ask for support, because those he would ask for help were themselves in anguish. He tried to speak at a basic human level before that of a Tibetan. He spoke to address a collective spirit of struggle, he is popular because he speaks as a human being.

His importance is also amplified by the collaboration he set up successfully with different fields of knowledge. Now physicists partner with monasteries in exile to talk about theories of physics, quantum mechanics, metaphysics, all sorts of things. Buddhist philosophy shared commonality and differences with Western traditions, bringing these different groups together was a big achievement that we now see continuing.

Most importantly is the message he puts in practice to be kind to everyone, the need for understanding each other as human beings before everything else.

What is at risk if Chinese government interference over the succession of the Dalai Lama is allowed/legitimised by the international community?

Tenzin Rabga Tashi
Campaigns Officer, Free Tibet

I think it would further drive Tibetan Buddhism underground inside Tibet. Tibetan Buddhists are allowed to practise their faith, but everything is restricted – this would be another huge restriction over the practise of their faith. Tibetans would object, and so would be restricted in public life, the Chinese authorities would be policing monasteries, going through houses looking for photos of the real Dalai Lama and imposing a fake one on them.

Tibetans will still follow the real Dalai Lama, as they do now with the Panchen Lama… But for diplomacy regarding the Tibetan struggle, there will be no one recognisable like the 14th Dalai Lama, no one will be able to step into his shoes.

The CCP hopes that the Tibetan cause will die with him. If the international community were to allow China to enforce their own Dalai Lama… it would be a seismic blow to Tibetans. Centuries of culture and religious practice thrown in the bin.

Not to dwell on the negatives though, the Tibetan struggle could never be extinguished – but for the international community to allow this would be a real betrayal of the Tibetan people.

Tenzin Kunga
Advocacy Officer, Free Tibet

If you look at the Chinese communist regime, it has everything it wants. It has taken over our land, 99% are under their control, the international community aren’t able to hold them to account, and they break all human rights laws. The last thing they lack is true legitimacy.

China is trying to buy legitimacy to rule over Tibet. If His Holiness’ succession is politicised and a Chinese Communist Party choice is allowed by the international community, then all hopes of the Tibetan people would be crushed.

We don’t want to give legitimacy to a regime that has forcefully occupied another country. If you look at Ukraine, the international community are opposing Russia because they have occupied Ukrainian land. If you look at Tibet from the same perspective, China has forcefully occupied Tibet. If you are alarmed by the Russia-Ukraine situation, then you should definitely cry out to support Tibet.

Tenzin Choekyi
Senior Researcher, Tibet Watch

I think that [with China’s interference in the Dalai Lama’s succession] there would be a denial of truth. The international community will become puppets to not just the economic power, but also the distorted history of China too. The legitimacy, diplomatic visits, and historical footprints of the Dalai Lama will be co-opted by the Chinese Communist Party. In doing so the past would be erased and the future controlled.

It is quite simply wrong. None would wish to be fed lies and manipulated into actions and beliefs that harm the most vulnerable.