Historic Changes in Tibetan Diaspora: Social Creativity Strategies
Recently, the Dalai Lama has made two historic changes in the Tibetan diaspora to further Tibetan struggle and Tibetan culture preservation. In March 2011, the Dalai Lama devolved his centuries-old political power to the elected Tibetan leadership in diaspora.
Just like his first four predecessors, now the Dalai Lama has become the undisputed spiritual leader of Tibet. He creatively separated the Church and the State that existed for more than four centuries in the case of Tibet. This change made it absolutely clear to the PRC that the Tibet issue is not about his personal issue but about the Tibetans who are capable of continuing their struggle in his absence. Following his footsteps, the newly elected secular Tibetan political leader Dr. Lobsang Sangay, a Harvard graduate, has promised to pursue the MWA-D to resolve Sino-Tibetan issues (see www.tibet.net).The second historic change the Dalai Lama has made was about his future reincarnation or choosing his rebirth/successor. At the 11th Tibetan Religious Conference, from September 22 to 24, 2011, Dharamsala, India, attended by all the religious heads including Bon, the Dalai Lama made it absolutely clear that the PRC has no right to interfere in his reincarnation issue. He said he will decide later at an appropriate time if there is need for the institution of the Dalai Lama to continue. Should the need get expressed, he will leave clear instruction on finding the 15th Dalai Lama. His Gaden Phodrang Trust officials will be mainly responsible for finding his reincarnation consulting high lamas and centuries-old Protector Oracles of Tibet. Expecting a political candidate from the PRC for his next reincarnation as they did with the reincarnation of the last Panchen Lama, the Dalai Lama emphatically stated that no competing candidate endorsed for political reason, especially by the PRC, should be considered for his reincarnation (www.dalailama.com). Thus, he has preempted the PRC’s interference into finding his reincarnation.