Beijing insists it will not abandon its claim that, although officially atheistic, the Communist Party is entitled to control reincarnation of Tibetan Living Buddhas.
by Lopsang Gurung
There is a “Xi Jinping Thought” for everything, including toilets. And Tibetans know that, while being atheistic, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in 2007, through the State Administration of Religious Affairs, issued a regulation claiming its right to control reincarnation.
According to the infamous “Order no. 5” of 2007, the CCP decides which Buddhist lamas are authorized to reincarnate, and they receive a card confirming the authorization. The next incarnation of a deceased lama is identified by the CCP, which has created a historical myth about the so-called “Golden Urn” to justify its theory that reincarnation of Tibetan Buddhist lamas should be controlled by Chinese state authorities. Obviously, since 2007, the CCP is preparing to assert the right to pick up the next Dalai Lama when His Holiness will leave this world.
There were rumors that the farcical system where an officially atheistic state and party, which obviously do not believe in reincarnation, decide who is the reincarnation of whom, would be abandoned at least to avoid international ridicule. The rumors, however, were denied by the CCP in 2023, as “Bitter Winter” reported.
What was missing was to freeze the doctrine of CCP control of reincarnation by making it part of the omnipresent and unquestionable Xi Jinping Thought. Logically, but more quietly than usual, this step was taken this month.
A seminar on “History, Customs, Policies, and Regulations of the Reincarnation of Living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism” was held in Lanzhou, Gansu Province, by the government-controlled China Buddhist Association.
Master Chang Zang, Vice President of the China Buddhist Association, delivered the keynote speech. CCP-approved reincarnated Tibetan Living Buddhas also spoke.
The seminar explained that Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism for the New Era also includes a “Xi Jinping Thought on Reincarnation.” It teaches, Chang Zang said, the “basic principles on religious work and the CCP’s strategy for governing Tibet in the new era, and guide monks, nuns and believers to have a more objective understanding of the historical customs, religious rituals and policies and regulations of the living Buddha reincarnation system. They should fully recognize that historical customs such as domestic searches, drawing lots from the Golden Urn and government approval are important principles that must be adhered to in the reincarnation of living Buddhas. This will play a positive role in managing the affairs of the reincarnation of living Buddhas in accordance with the law, promoting the healthy inheritance of Tibetan Buddhism, and actively guiding Tibetan Buddhism to adapt to socialist society.”
With the high stamp of Xi Jinping, the CCP’s control of reincarnation will be asserted even more vigorously. All eyes continue to be on who and how will select the next Dalai Lama.
Uses a pseudonym for security reasons.
