How To Replace The Irreplaceable?

[PeterRS]

In recent decades the world has seen several figures who have deserved iconic status for their efforts to extol the virtues of peace. Not all have been the equivalent of angels throughout their lives but the good they have brought the world has been in most cases extraordinary. Who could suffer in jail for almost a third of ther lives like Nelson Mandela and yet still emerge to unite a nation? Another leader was surely the late Pope Francis, a man who brought light into life for many in our world despite having to battle constantly with the ingrained conservatism of his Curia and the long-term effects of the pedophile scandals of the Catholic Church.

But is anyone more revered than the Dalai Lama? A smiling figure who has been so dominant in the world for all of our lives. Yesterday he celebrated his 90th birthday. And as has dogged his life for much of the last two decades, the issue of his successor remains in doubt. 

Since the 17th century, the figure of the Dalai Lama has been a symbol of the unification of the state of Tibet. Having been part of China since invasion by the Mongols (known as the Yuan Dynasty) around 1245, that domination over the country lasted little more than 100 years. With the Yuan Dynasty on the decline, Tibet was to all intents and purposes independent for the next 400 years with the Dalai Lama effectively as its head of state. But it was not to last. The south west of China had long been one vast land without specific borders. Only in 1724 were lines of demarcation drawn and agreed for the provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan, Qinghai and Tibet. Tibet then became part of China's Qing Dynasty for nearly 200 years until its collapse at the end of China's imperial rule early in the 20th century.

For the next 40 years, Tibet achieved another period of near independence, although Britain and Russia hovered hoping to exert greater influence. During this time, post imperial China was far too consumed by warlords fighting other warlords for Tibet to be on their horizon. After Mao's takover, though, Tibet expelled the few Chinese that remained within the country. Mao not only considered Tibet part of Chinese territory, he was as concerned about the country's borders as President Xi is today. To world condemnation, he sent troops in to the country. In 1959. Tibet then signed the Seventeen Point Agreement which formalised Chinese rule in Tibet. Immediately before then, the CIA had dropped guerrilla forces into the country in an attempt to fight off Chinese forces. Most were never seen again. China's actions in destroying thousands of monasteries and other actions have been equally condemned worldwide, but there was nothing the rest of the world could do to stop it.

With the signing of the 1959 Agreement, the Dalai Lama fled over the mountains with many of his followers where they received sanctuary in India. That has been his base ever since. More recently he has tried to appease the leaders in Beijing by claiming that Tibet does not want independence, merely autonomy. This and future talks have resulted in the lead balloon analogy. 

So the question remains: when His Holiness passes from this earth, who becomes the 15th Dalai Lama. China has said it is up to its government to make the appointment. In the mid-1970s, the present Dalai Lama stated it was possible he would be the last of the line. This infuriated many of his followers. More recently he has changed that view and confirmed there will be a new Dalai Lama after his death. But who will appoint him?

The second most important figure in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition is the Panchen Lama. In 1995 the Dalai Lama declared the name of the 11th Panchen Lama. Three days later the six-year old boy was kidnapped by the Chinese government and remains forcibly detained with his family in an unknown location. All China will reveal is that he received a University education, is now living peacefully and does not wish to be disturbed.

For now, I fear all the world can do is wait and hope. And extend our gratitude and our best wishes for the health of His Holiness.