NEWS

Dalai Lama Hints at a Possible End to the Reincarnate Lama System

By Justin Whitaker | | Buddhistdoor Global

During a meeting with students in Dharamsala on 25 October, His Holiness the Dalai Lama suggested that the long-standing institution in Tibetan Buddhism of reincarnate lamas (Tib: tulkus) may be coming to an end. Placing his statements in the context of changing political realities, the Dalai Lama noted that, “Institutions need to be owned by the people, not by an individual. Like my own institution, the Dalai Lama’s office, I feel like it is linked to a feudal system.” He continued, “The system should end, or at least change with the changing times. There have been cases of individual lamas who use reincarnation [to get their way] but never pay attention to study and wisdom.” (The Times of India) The remarks were made before a group of 25 students who are taking part in a six-month course in Ancient Indian Wisdom at the Government College, Dharamsala, along with more than 100 students from several universities in northern India, including 18 Tibetans, 78 Bhutanese, 10 Ladakhis, and four Africans.