This year, the Dalai Lama’s 91st birthday celebration in Dharamshala might be extra special. There are reports that he could announce his successor on this occasion. In Tibetan Buddhism, choosing the next Dalai Lama is a very traditional and spiritual process, often linked to the belief in reincarnation.

However, China wants to interfere in this process. Chinese authorities claim that they have the right to approve the next Dalai Lama. But many Tibetans believe this is just a way for China to influence the Tibetan people and their religion.

This time, the selection of the next Dalai Lama is not only important for Tibetan Buddhists, but also for countries like India, China, and the United States, because of the political and strategic impact it may have.

The Dalai Lama, who won the Nobel Peace Prize, is seen as one of the most respected spiritual leaders in the world. His followers are spread across many countries, not just in Buddhist communities.

After fleeing from Tibet in 1959, the Dalai Lama made Dharamshala in India the base for his government-in-exile. He has been living here and guiding the Tibetan people for the past 66 years, continuing to be their spiritual head from this small town in the Indian Himalayas.

Q: Why do people think the Dalai Lama might announce his successor this time?

The Dalai Lama has been living in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, since 1959, after fleeing Tibet during a failed uprising against China’s communist rule.

He recently wrote a book called “Voice for the Voiceless”, published in March 2025. In the book, he said he would share details about his successor around the time of his 90th birthday. That’s why many believe he may make the announcement this year, during his 91st birthday celebration.

Q: When and how was the current Dalai Lama chosen?

According to Tibetan tradition, it is believed that a senior monk’s soul is reborn after death.

The current Dalai Lama, the 14th, was born on 6 July 1935 in a small farming family in northeast Tibet. His birth name was Lhamo Dhondup.

When he was just 2 years old, a search team from the Tibetan government came looking for the reincarnation of the 13th Dalai Lama. They found several signs. The final proof came when young Lhamo recognized items that belonged to the 13th Dalai Lama and said, “This is mine.”

In winter 1940, he was taken to the Potala Palace in Lhasa and was formally declared the spiritual leader of Tibet.

Q: How will the next Dalai Lama be chosen?

In his 2025 book, the Dalai Lama said that his successor will be born outside China. He plans to reveal the location as well.

The responsibility to find and recognize the next Dalai Lama will be given to the Gaden Phodrang Foundation, which he established in 2015.

This foundation was created to preserve the Dalai Lama’s spiritual tradition and includes many of his close and trusted followers.

Q: How is the next Dalai Lama traditionally found?

The search follows ancient Tibetan Buddhist customs built on the belief in reincarnation, the idea that the Dalai Lama’s spirit is reborn in a new child after he passes away. The main steps are:

• Senior monks study unusual dreams, omens, or events that happened around the Dalai Lama’s death. These clues point them toward the place where the child may be born.
• A team of trusted monks travels to the likely regions to look for children who fit those clues.
• Each child is shown everyday items mixed with possessions that belonged to the late Dalai Lama (such as beads, bowls, or prayer tools). If a child confidently picks out or says, “This is mine,” that is taken as a strong sign of recognition.
• The monks quietly observe the child’s temperament, kindness, and wisdom—qualities expected of a future Dalai Lama.
• When the search team and senior lamas agree, the chosen child is publicly proclaimed the next Dalai Lama.

Q: Can the same process still work now that Tibet is under Chinese control?

The current Dalai Lama has said in recent talks and in his 2025 book “Voice for the Voiceless” that he will leave clear written instructions for picking his successor:

• He says the next Dalai Lama will be found in a country where China cannot interfere.
• The successor could be a girl, an adult, or take some new form, whatever best serves the Tibetan people.
• Any choice must be accepted by Tibetan Buddhist tradition and by the Tibetan community itself, not by outside governments.

What happens if there’s no Dalai Lama yet? Who will lead the Tibetan people?

If there is a time when the current Dalai Lama is no longer there and the next one has not been found yet, the work will still continue. The Tibetan government-in-exile, which is based in Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh), has already created a system to keep running smoothly during this gap. This system will take care of both the government and the responsibilities of the Dalai Lama.

What does China say about the next Dalai Lama?

China says that it has the right to approve the next Dalai Lama. They claim this power comes from a tradition started in 1793 during the Qing dynasty. According to China, the selection must follow Chinese laws, which include using a “Golden Urn” lottery system and choosing someone born inside China.

However, the Tibetan community doesn’t accept this. They believe only the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Buddhist tradition should decide who the next spiritual leader is.

Why are Tibetans worried about China’s role?

Many Tibetans fear that China wants to control the Dalai Lama’s selection to influence the Tibetan people. A respected Buddhist monk even said that it’s wrong for the Chinese Communist Party, which doesn’t follow religion,  to interfere in something as sacred as choosing the next Dalai Lama.

China often calls the Dalai Lama a “separatist” and bans his photos or any public support for him. In March 2025, China’s foreign ministry said the Dalai Lama is just a “political exile” and doesn’t represent the Tibetan people. China also claims that its rule brought development to Tibet by ending “slavery.”

What roles can India and the US Play?

India is home to over 100,000 Tibetan Buddhists. They live, study, and work freely in India. But China has always seen the Dalai Lama’s presence in India as a problem and considers India a rival.

The United States has shown strong support for Tibetan rights. American leaders have said many times that China should not be allowed to interfere in the selection of the next Dalai Lama. In 2024, U.S. President Joe Biden signed a law that puts pressure on China to allow more freedom for Tibet and to settle issues peacefully.