(TibetanReview.net, Dec26, 2018) – The Dalai Lama has said that he had one informal contact with the Chinese government after 2010 when a series of talk between the two sides through his envoys, begun in 2002, had come to an end, reported the hindustantimes.com Dec 25.
The report cited the exiled spiritual leader of Tibet as saying in an exclusive interview that there was only one informal dialogue with the Chinese government through retired officials and businessmen after all formal channels were closed in Jun 2010.
It was not clear whether the contact was initiated by him or by the Chinese side, what it was about, and why it did not continue.
The report also cited him as saying that on the issue of his reincarnation, it should be decided through an international conference after his natural death and that it is “not his business” to decide on his successor through either reincarnation or emanation. This if true is a departure from his well-known previous position as he did not want to give China a free hand to meddle in his succession issue especially with the Tibet issue remaining unresolved.
He has also said that no discussion on the question of his reincarnation had started yet.
The Dalai Lama has called the meeting of the 17th Karmapa recognized by him, Ogyen Trinley Dorje, the head of the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism, and his rival claimant Trinley Thaye Dorje, anointed by rival regent Shamar Rinpoche, in France this year a “rightful beginning”. However, he has made it clear that he will not play the mediator between them.
He was also stated to have explained that while it was possible for the 16th Karmapa to have a few reincarnations, there should be only one holder of the seat of the 17th Karmapa.
The Dalai Lama has also said the 11th Panchen Lama Gedhun Choekyi Nyima recognized by him but then disappeared by the Chinese government within days in 1995 was alive while Gyaltsen Norbu foisted by the Chinese government in his place occupies the post but lives in Beijing.
