The Dalai Lama expressed a desire to live beyond 130 years during a prayer ceremony celebrating his 90th birthday. He reassured followers about his succession, stating he would reincarnate after his death and that the Gaden Phodrang Foundation would identify his successor, emphasizing that only Tibetan Buddhist leaders have the authority in this process.
The Dalai Lama has said that he hopes to live beyond 130 years, days after he sought to assuage widespread speculation over his succession by saying he would reincarnate upon his death. The Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader made the remark while speaking at a ceremony organised by his followers to offer prayers for his long life, ahead of his 90th birthday on Sunday.
“So far, I believe I have served Buddha Dharma and the Tibetan people quite well… I hope to live for another 30 or 40 years – even over 130,” the Dalai Lama said during a prayer ceremony held by Central Tibetan Administration at main Tibetan temple in McLeodganj.
Known for his scientific temperament, the Dalai Lama has often laughed off in his trademark humour any talk about his years on Earth, each time giving different figures.
In December last year, he had said he might live for 110 years or more.
The Dalai Lama has confirmed that he will have a successor chosen in accordance with “past tradition”, ending years of speculation about the centuries-old office.
In a video message earlier this week, the Dalai Lama said that the Gaden Phodrang Foundation, which he established to preserve the institution, will have the power to recognise his future reincarnation.
Tibetan Buddhist leaders will search for his successor, he added, stressing that “no one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter”.
The Nobel Peace Prize-winning Dalai Lama is branded as a “separatist” by China, which has claimed the Dalai Lama’s succession must be approved by the central government in Beijing and that it would be carried out “by drawing lots from a golden urn”.