The Dalai Lama suggested on Monday that a successor will be appointed after his death to continue his fight for Tibet’s freedom.
He was speaking during festivities marking his 90th birthday in his exile residence in northern India.
Clad in his traditional brown and yellow robe, the Tibetan spiritual leader appeared before thousands of community members and supporters from around the world at his monastery in McLeod Ganj.
“I am 90 years old but remain physically fit,” declared the Nobel Peace Prize laureate. “The rest of my life I will dedicate for the benefit of others, as much as possible, as extensively as possible."
The Dalai Lama hinted at the tone of an eagerly awaited message on his succession, scheduled for Wednesday, which will be a political highlight of the week’s celebrations.
"There will be some kind of a framework within which we can talk about the continuation of the institution of the Dalai Lamas," he stated.
Born on 6 July 1935, Tenzin Gyatso was identified at the age of 2, in accordance with Buddhist tradition, as the reincarnation of his predecessor, becoming the 14th spiritual and political leader of the Tibetans.
Since fleeing Tibet and Chinese repression in 1959, he has spent most of his time in McLeod Ganj, nestled in the foothills of the Indian Himalayas.
The question of his successor is crucial, as Tibetans suspect China, which annexed Tibet in 1950, of wanting to appoint a pliant figure.
However, the current Dalai Lama, whom Beijing considers a dangerous separatist, has already dismissed the possibility of the 15th Dalai Lama being appointed by Beijing.
