On July 2, 2025, in the quiet mountain town of Dharamshala, India, the Dalai Lama made a statement that grabbed headlines around the world. During a gathering of Tibetan religious leaders, he reminded everyone that when it comes to choosing his successor, only his close spiritual advisors and his personal Trust (the official body he set up to handle spiritual and administrative matters) have the final say.
China, on the other hand, insists it will pick its own version of the next Dalai Lama — turning a deeply spiritual tradition into a political tug-of-war.
A Clash of Faith and Power
The Dalai Lama isn’t just a monk in an orange robe. He’s the living face of Tibetan Buddhism, a tradition that believes spiritual leaders return again and again through reincarnation to keep guiding their people.
For centuries, Tibetan monks have carefully searched for signs — dreams, visions, even the behavior of children — to find the next Dalai Lama. It’s a ritual rooted in faith and patience.
But since China’s takeover of Tibet in 1950, Beijing has tried to control not just the land but also Tibetan religion. Saying they have the right to approve the next Dalai Lama gives them massive symbolic power, almost like rewriting a people’s soul.
For the Dalai Lama and many Tibetans, that’s simply crossing a line. As one monk bluntly put it at the conference, “China has no authority in spiritual matters.” The Dalai Lama agrees and has been clear: only his Trust and senior spiritual leaders can guide this sacred choice.
The Dalai Lama’s Connection to the Philippines
It might surprise some, but the Philippines has stood with Tibet before. Back in the 1960s, when many Asian countries avoided criticizing China, the Philippines supported Tibet at the United Nations.
In 1959, the Dalai Lama was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award — Asia’s highest honor for moral leadership. He couldn’t travel to Manila at that time, as he had just fled Lhasa and begun life in exile. A Tibetan representative accepted the award on his behalf in the Philippines. It wasn’t until 2012, during a private ceremony in Dharamshala, that he personally received the physical award plaque. This gesture, even decades later, symbolized the Philippines’ recognition of courage and the universal fight for freedom.
Filipinos deeply value human rights and social justice. Whether it’s protecting overseas workers, standing up for press freedom, or defending their own waters in the West Philippine Sea, Filipinos have a strong sense of what’s fair and just.
The struggle in Tibet mirrors these values. Just as Tibet wants to keep its identity and spiritual traditions safe from outside control, the Philippines has its own challenges with bigger powers.
