3 h. ago Buddhist rebirth v Chinese control: the battle to choose the Dalai Lama’s successor

The spiritual leader has said his inner circle of monks will find an heir, but China believes the choice is in its handsFew celebrations have the hills of Dharamshala abuzz like the birthday of the Dalai Lama. But this year, as monks and devotees flooded into the mountainous Indian city before the Tibetan spiritual leader turns 90 on Sunday, the mood of anticipation has been palpable.For years, the Dalai Lama had promised that around his 90th birthday he would make a long-awaited announcement about his reincarnation. Finally, in a video broadcast to Tibetan monks and leaders on Wednesday, he laid out what the future would hold. It came amid fears of a ruthless succession battle between the Tibetan community and the Chinese government, which for decades has sought to control the institution of the Dalai Lama, revered as the highest teacher in Tibetan Buddhism. Continue reading...

Events

6 h. ago Dalai Lama says he hopes to live past 130 as India declines to weigh in on his succession

The Dalai Lama predicts he will live 40 more years as India and China spar over succession

Politics

8 h. ago The Dalai Lama says he hopes to live more than 130 years ahead of 90th birthday

The Dalai Lama says he hopes to live until he is over 130 years old, a remark he made during a ceremony organized by his followers to offer prayers for his long life as he prepares to celebrate his 90th birthday

Politics

11 h. ago As the Dalai Lama turns 90, photos show the global arc of his life

The Dalai Lama is revered as a deity by millions of Tibetan Buddhists and known worldwide as a resolute voice for peace, spirituality and Tibet ’s autonomy. He is also seen as a threat by China, which accuses him of wanting to wrest Tibet from Beijing's control.

Culture

58 h. ago Tibetans in exile wonder: Will the next Dalai Lama be as charismatic as this one?

The Dalai Lama has announced that he intends to reincarnate, paving the way for a successor to take on a mantle stretching back 500 years after his death

Politics

58 h. ago London Marks His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 90th Birthday with Messages of Hope and Solidarity

London Marks His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s 90th Birthday with Messages of Hope and Solidarity  Central Tibetan Administration

Politics

3 d. ago Dalai Lama defies China to say successor will be chosen by Tibetan tradition

Spiritual leader challenges Beijing in video statement released in run-up to 90th birthday celebrationsThe Dalai Lama has declared in a direct challenge to China that the centuries-old spiritual institution bearing his name will continue after his death and that only his inner circle, not Beijing, will have the authority to identify his successor.In a video message played on Wednesday during prayer celebrations ahead of his 90th birthday this weekend, the 14th Dalai Lama said the Gaden Phodrang Trust, which manages his affairs, would oversee the search for his reincarnation. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Inside the Dalai Lama’s succession and what it means for China and the Tibetan struggle

As he turns 90 this week, the Dalai Lama has announced that he will reincarnated, setting his followers on a collision course with China. Alisha Rahaman Sarkar speaks to activists and the president of the Tibetan government-in-exile about what this means for the future of Tibetan Buddhism

Politics

3 d. ago Who will be the next Dalai Lama and how will they be chosen?

The spiritual leader has announced plans for his succession

Politics

3 d. ago Dalai Lama confirms he will have a successor after his death as he celebrates 90th birthday

It was previously thought that the 14th Dalai Lama, who turns 90 this weekend, would be the last.

Events

3 d. ago Dalai Lama makes announcement over whether he will have a successor, as Buddhists around the world fear an end to the 600

The Dalai Lama is lauded by his followers for his tireless campaign for greater autonomy for Tibet and has lived in exile in India since Chinese troops crushed an uprising in 1959.

Politics

3 d. ago Dalai Lama says there will be search for his successor after his death, ending years of speculation

Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader releases video statement in run-up to 90th birthday celebrationsThe Dalai Lama has said the centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist institution will continue after his death, ending years of speculation that started when he indicated that he might be the last person to hold the role.Speaking at prayer celebrations ahead of his 90th birthday on Sunday, the Nobel peace prize-winning spiritual head of Tibetan Buddhism said in a recorded statement that the next Dalai Lama should be found and recognised as per past Buddhist traditions. Continue reading...

Events

3 d. ago Dalai Lama gives important update about his succession ahead of 90th birthday

The 14th Dalai Lama has repeatedly said his successor will be born outside China and urges followers to reject any candidate appointed by Beijing

Politics

3 d. ago Dalai Lama at 90: son of a buckwheat farmer who became a thorn in China’s side – in pictures

The exiled spiritual leader, who turns 90 this week, has met everyone from Nelson Mandela to Lady Gaga while campaigning for autonomy and religious freedom for Tibet Continue reading...

Society

5 d. ago Photos show a celebration for the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday

The Dalai Lama attended a celebration of his 90th birthday according to the Tibetan calendar.

Culture

5 d. ago Who will be the next Dalai Lama? Key questions answered as leader turns 90

The spiritual leader is making plans for his succession

Politics

7 d. ago Tree chopped in half in 'petty' bird poo row still attracts 'tourists' four years on

EXCLUSIVE: The tragic tale of the half-cut Fir made global headlines four years ago, but photos often reappear on the internet, fuelling a steady stream of rubberneckers to the 'tourist attraction'

Politics

9 d. ago 3 dead and a dozen missing as torrential rains cause flash flood in north India

Authorities in northern India have reported three deaths and at least a dozen missing after a flash flood caused by heavy rains

Events

1 week ago Photos of global celebrations marking the start of the summer and winter solstices

People are marking the start of the winter and summer solstices across the globe. North of the equator, celebrations welcome summer, while those in the south observe the beginning of winter.

Culture

4 w. ago China's Panchen Lama pledges loyalty to the Communist Party in a meeting with Xi

State media in China says that the man picked by Beijing as the second highest figure in Tibetan Buddhism has pledged adherence to the ruling Communist Party during a rare face-to-face meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping

Politics