Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama has recently said that the Buddhist tradition is very liberal which has equal rights for both man and woman and therefore there could be a “female Dalai Lama” in the future. The comment has now bought with it a new wave of discussions, thus indicating a new female Dalai Lama in future.

The 14th Dalai Lama was addressing an audience at the Indian Institute of Technology in Mumbai. When asked if in the future, there could be a female Dalai Lama, the Dalai Lama said Gautam Buddha has always preached and in his eyes both male and female are equal. Tibetan and Indian spiritual masters of the highest order have been females as well.

The Dalai Lama said, “Around 15 years ago, the editor of a French magazine for ladies had come to interview me. She asked me if there could be a female Dalai Lama in future. I had said yes. If in future, the female body is more effective, then certainly yes. The Buddhist tradition is very liberal”.

The Dalai Lama also said that other countries and religious thoughts accept the concept of God and that’s why they only pray, while India has developed the spiritual technique for mental peace, which leads to the well being of people and society.

The Dalai Lama said, “Happiness is very much related to peace. There was too much violence and suffering in the 20th century. The 21st century should not repeat it and there should be peace. As without inner peace, you cannot develop genuine peace. Human intelligence must therefore combine with warm heartedness”.

The 14th Dalai Lama, whose real name is Tenzin Gyatso has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in the year 1989 and is known across the world for his advocacy of independence for Tibet and other causes.

Dalai Lamas are important monks of the Gelug School, which is the newest school of Tibetan Buddhism that was formerly headed by the Ganden Tripas. From the 5th Dalai Lama till 1959, the central government of Tibet, which is known as the Ganden Phodrang, has given the responsibility, which includes temporal duties for the administration of the state, to the Dalai Lama. In 1959 during Tibetan uprising against China annexation, the 14th Dalai Lama had to take refuge in India. Since then he is the spiritual head of the Tibetan Government in exile, which he spearheads from Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh.

