ISSUE BRIEF X: THE DALAI LAMA REINCARNATION CRISIS: THE FUTURE OF THE TIBETAN CAUSE: By RIDHA SHEMIL

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Issue Brief: X

C3S launched its Issue Brief initiative. An issue brief is a summary of the knowledge surrounding an issue or a problem. It summarizes the issue by giving clear, concise, and complete information describing all facets of a particular issue including a detailed illustration in the form of images, data, and facts. It also includes recommendations for action and predictions on the future course of an issue.

Abstract

The Dalai Lama has been a very important figure in the Tibetan struggle for a state. In light of the ageing of the 14th Dalai Lama, People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the Dalai Lama along with other Tibetan Buddhist heads have been discussing amongst themselves respectively about how the reincarnation should be legitimised. The PRC is strengthening its atheism and political affiliation in the Tibetan autonomous region, engaging in activities such as “re-educating” the Tibetans about religion and attempting to end international support for Tibet in "the post-Dalai era". This article examines the importance of selecting the Dalai to both the PRC and the Tibetan Buddhists by analysing the history of reincarnation and the PRC’s engagements with this. The paper also looks at how significant the selection of a Dalai Lama who is from the diaspora and is affiliated with the current Tibetan government in exile is important for achieving the Tibetan cause.

Read the full Issue Brief at this link:

ISSUE BRIEF X THE DALAI LAMA REINCARNATION CRISIS THE FUTURE OF THE TIBETAN CAUSE By RIDHA

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(Ms Ridha Shemil is currently pursuing Integrated MA in Development Studies (Minor in International Relations) Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. She is Research Intern at C3S. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and does not reflect the views of C3S.)