Clash over next reincarnation of Dalai Lama intensifies

Clash over next reincarnation of Dalai Lama intensifies:

The clash over next reincarnation of Dalai Lama continues with the European Buddhist Union (EBU) calling on the Chinese government not to interfere in Tibetan Buddhist affairs . The EBU urged the international community not to recognise the Lama appointed by the Chinese government.

The DBU declaration came after the controversial order by the Chinese government after the recent implementation of the “Administrative Measures for Religious Activity Venues,” referred to as “Order number 19,” by the Chinese government on September 1, 2023. The controversial order tightens CCP’s control over religious freedom.

These measures of the order are expected to exacerbate the existing religious suppression in Tibet and other regions of China. This action is part of a broader set of measures introduced and enforced by the PRC to advance their political objectives, particularly targeting Tibetan Buddhism. China issued new regulations for religious groups which came into effect on September 1. The Administrative Measures for Religious Activity Venues requires religious venues to “support the leadership of the CCP, support the socialist system, and thoroughly implement Xi Jinping’s new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics.”

The new rules prohibit organizations and individuals from using religious venues to endanger national security or to disrupt social order, public interests or citizens’ legal rights, among other activities. As per the order, religious venues should support the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the socialist system, implement Xi Jinping’s new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics, promote patriotism and social harmony, avoid interfering in state affairs besides not engaging in activities that endanger national security or disrupt social order.

The controversial order also includes a number of specific provisions, such as: Religious venues must display the Chinese flag and national emblem, religious leaders must be patriotic and law-abiding,religious education must be conducted in accordance with socialist values, religious venues must not sell or distribute religious materials that are not approved by the government, religious venues must not allow minors to participate in religious activities without the consent of their parents or guardians.

Bitter Winter, a website that tracks religious freedom and human rights in China, wrote that the new edict “confirms that religious activity venues should actively broadcast CCP propaganda, or face liquidation.” The Bitter Winter website further stated that there are stricter provisions for including propaganda content in sermons, and establishing study groups of CCP documents in all places of worship. The report further specified that ‘It is prohibited to build large open-air religious statues outside of temples and churches,’ and the prohibition also applies to private citizens or donors.” The order has evoked different reactions from the Christian community and human rights activists. The Voice of America’s news website quoted a Christian human rights lawyer Chen Jiangang who said that this was the first time religious personnel were being required to adhere to “Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.” He added that the regulations have completely deprived the Chinese people of their religious freedom, saying, “the recent religious regulations issued by the CCP have almost deprived us of all freedom in the religious field.”

Liu wrote “Chinese government protects citizens’ freedom of religious belief in accordance with the law. People of all ethnic groups in China are fully entitled to the freedom of religious belief as prescribed by law… We urge relevant parties to stop using the so-called religious issues to meddle in China’s internal affairs.” Liu Fenggang is the former pastor of Holy Love Fellowship. Meanwhile, The EBU affirmed that the process of identifying the reincarnation of Tibetan Lamas, including the future 15th Dalai Lama, must be determined by the Tibetan people and the Office of the Dalai Lama (Ganden Phodrang), in accordance with the traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. Furthermore, the EBU called on the international community to refrain from recognising any Lama appointed by the Chinese authorities.

The EBU stand is in sharp contrast to the Chinese central government’s stand that it has to approve the Dalai Lama’s successor chosen through the reincarnation system. The reincarnation is a particular inheritance system of the Tibetan Buddhism. It has fixed rituals. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang had maintained that they have relevant regulations to respect and protect this heritage. The 14th Dalai Lama himself was recognised according to the fixed religious rituals and was approved by the then central government and added that the reincarnations including that of the Dalai Lama should follow China’s national laws, regulations and religious rituals. it also urged “the Chinese government to implement Articles 10 and 11 of the Law on Autonomy of Ethnic Areas of the People’s Republic of China, which guarantees the freedom of language and religion of ethnic minorities.”

They urged the Chinese government to resume dialogue with the representatives of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, in order to find a “peaceful solution that serves the common interests of both the Tibetan and Chinese peoples”. This declaration was unanimously adopted at the Annual General Meeting. widely known for his non-violent stance against China’s invasion of Tibet in 1950, remains steadfast in advocating the ‘middle way’ approach, which seeks autonomy within China rather than full independence.