On September 24, 2011, during the 11th Tibetan Religious Conference, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, the saviour and symbol of Tibet and Tibetans, Dharma King of the three realms stated: “As far back as 1969, I made clear that concerned people should decide whether the Dalai Lama’s reincarnations should continue in the future”.
His Holiness further expressed, “When I reach the age of Je Gedun Drup, I will consult the high lamas of the Tibetan Buddhist Traditions, the Tibetan public, and other concerned people who follow Tibetan Buddhism, and re-evaluate whether the Dalai Lama’s reincarnations should continue or not. On that basis, we will take a decision.”
Consequently, various sections of peoples including the participants of the 14th Tibetan Religious Conference, Special General Body Meeting, Tibetans inside Tibet and in exile, as well as devoted followers from the Himalayan regions, Mongolia, and China, and around the world have made an earnest and heartfelt appeals, urging His Holiness to continue the institution of the Dalai Lama.
Moved by this profound and widespread supplication, His Holiness, with infinite compassion, graciously responded on the auspicious occasion of his 90th birthday: “In accordance with all these requests, I am affirming that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue,” for the cause of world peace and the benefit of all sentient beings.
Hence, during the 15th Tibetan Religious Conference held in Dharamshala, eminent lamas of different religious traditions, representatives, and the participants gathered to express their heartfelt gratitude to His Holiness the Dalai Lama for his profound benevolence and unanimously adopted the following resolution:
- The participants of the 15th Tibetan Religious Conference, including esteemed religious heads and realised masters of different religious traditions, unanimously endorsed His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s authoritative statement and called for its widespread dissemination.
- The process of recognising the reincarnations of His Holiness the Dalai Lama is rooted in the unique and sacred traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. We strongly condemn any attempts by the People’s Republic of China to politicise this spiritual practices and firmly reject all forms of external interference.
- Tibetans within Tibet and in exile, along with global Buddhist devotees, have pledged to uphold unity and continue to work collectively with steadfast determination to fulfil His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s noble aspirations.
*This resolution was unanimously adopted during the 15th Tibetan Religious Conference on July 2, 2025.
