April 8, 2025: 108 Peace Institute in collaboration with the Centre for Northeast Asian Studies, Jindal School of International Affairs, OP Jindal Global University hosted a panel discussion titled “Politics of Reincarnation: Tibet, India and China Relations”. The event brought together eminent scholar and spiritual voices to examine the intersection of religious tradition and geopolitics surrounding Tibetan reincarnation practices and their global implications.
The panel featured prominent speakers Venerable Geshe Lhakdor, Director, Library of Tibetan Works and Archives (LTWA), and Dr. Sriparna Pathak, Professor of China Studies, Jindal School of International Affairs. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Manoj Kumar Panigrahi, Associate Professor, at Jindal School of International Affairs.
In his address, Geshe Lhakdor delved into the Tibetan Buddhist understanding of rebirth, reincarnation, and emanation. Geshe la emphasized that reincarnation is purely a spiritual journey, wherein the person has a choice over how and where to be reborn. He highlighted the paradox of an atheist communist regime interfering in religious tradition it does not subscribe.
Drawing attention to China’s database of over 1,000 “recognized” reincarnated lamas notably excluding His Holiness the Dalai Lama – Geshe la warned of future attempts by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to appoint state-sanctioned fake next Dalai Lama similar to the fake Panchen Lama Gyaltsen Norbu. Referring to His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 2011 statement on reincarnation, Geshe la reiterated that any announcement on his reincarnation would occur around the age of 90, and would be based on spiritual guidance and practice and not political pressure.
Dr. Sriparna Pathak provided a geopolitical lens to the reincarnation issue, asserting that the controversy reflects the broader contest between spiritual autonomy and state control. She noted that the Dalai Lama has made it clear his reincarnation will not occur in Tibet under Chinese rule but rather in a free country, to prevent manipulation by Beijing. She referenced the abduction of the 11th Panchen Lama and the imposition of a CCP-approved successor, underscoring China’s ongoing strategy to “sinicize” Tibetan Buddhism.
Dr. Pathak also discussed China’s 2007 Order No. 5, which mandates state approval for all reincarnated lamas — a move India has never endorsed. Instead, India has maintained its support for the Dalai Lama’s autonomy over spiritual matters. She further pointed to the significant role played by civil society groups such as the Indian Himalayan Council of Nalanda Buddhist Tradition, which have openly rejected China’s claim to control the reincarnation process.
Highlighting global dimensions, Dr. Pathak emphasized the significance of the U.S. “Tibetan Policy and Support Act 2020,” which declares that only the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Buddhist community have the right to decide on his succession. The law includes provisions for sanctions against Chinese officials attempting to interfere in the process.
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Manoj Kumar Panigrahi emphasized the CCP’s transnational reach and cautioned against its attempts to extend influence beyond China’s borders through religious and political means. He urged India and the international community to remain vigilant about China’s intentions in the region and beyond.
The panel concluded with a vibrant Q&A session, where faculty and students from various disciplines engaged in a thought-provoking exchange, further enriching the discussion.
The event saw the participation of nearly 50 students and faculties and served as a critical platform for understanding how deeply the issue of reincarnation is embedded in the broader framework of India-China relations, sovereignty, religious freedom, and international law.