With the Dalai Lama now 90, an unavoidable question looms: what comes next?
With the Dalai Lama now 90, an unavoidable question looms: what comes next?
On July 6, 2025, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama turns 90. In Tibetan culture, milestone birthdays after the age of 80 are marked with spiritual reverence and deep community significance. But this particular birthday feels even more momentous, not only because of the man being honored but because of what he has come to represent in the global imagination. It is a time for gratitude but also a time to reflect on continuity, succession and the resilience of a movement that has long stood for nonviolence, justice and survival of a culture in exile.
Since 1959, when he fled into exile following China’s occupation of Tibet, the Dalai Lama has worked tirelessly to keep Tibetan identity alive. In India, he helped establish schools, settlements and religious institutions that formed the backbone of Tibetan cultural preservation. His leadership gave structure and direction to a displaced community and in doing so, he became more than a spiritual figure, he became a symbol of unity and moral strength for Tibetans everywhere. Whether in Dharamshala or Minnesota, Brussels or Bylakuppe, His Holiness has remained the emotional and spiritual anchor of his people.
Perhaps paradoxically, exile made Tibetans feel more united. Tibet, especially in the past, was a geographically fragmented land where governance varied across regions like U-Tsang, Amdo and Kham. But in exile, shared trauma brought a more cohesive identity. Generations of Tibetans born outside their homeland still connect with it strongly, thanks in large part to the cultural and institutional foundations laid by the Dalai Lama.
Dalai Lama’s contributions to political life are just as significant as his spiritual leadership. He began introducing democratic reforms early in exile, urging the Tibetan community to elect their representatives and eventually devolving his own political authority. In 2011, he fully stepped back from his official political role, entrusting governance to the elected Sikyong. This transition was more than symbolic, it was a safeguard for the Tibetan struggle, ensuring that the movement wouldn’t rise and fall on the shoulders of a single individual.
At the same time, his ‘Middle Way Approach’ offered a practical diplomatic alternative to total independence, calling instead for genuine autonomy under the framework of the People’s Republic of China. This proposal, while rejected by Beijing, left the Chinese leadership with no moral ground to stand on without further exposing its authoritarianism.
Still, at 90, the question of succession looms large. Though the Dalai Lama has often joked that he may live to 113, the eventual transition is inevitable. And it is one fraught with geopolitical tension. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has already made its intentions known: it will seek to appoint its own version of the next Dalai Lama, using state machinery to claim religious legitimacy. Such an act would not only be a spiritual violation but a political move designed to fracture Tibetan unity and dilute international recognition of the exile movement.
The risk of dual claimants, one chosen through religious tradition and one sanctioned by the state, presents a confusing and potentially damaging situation. It could divide Buddhist communities, confuse international observers, and create a competing narrative about Tibetan identity itself. The Central Tibetan Administration (CTA) has made it clear that only the Dalai Lama and Gaden Phodrang Trust hold the authority to determine the nature and timing of his reincarnation. In a formal statement issued by the Kashag, the CTA’s executive body, it declared: “The authority of decision concerning the reincarnation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama solely rests with His Holiness, and no one else has the legitimate right to do so.” The Kashag also reaffirmed that any decision made by a political regime ‘violates our spiritual traditions and cannot be accepted by the Tibetan people’.
In anticipation of this challenge, Tibetan religious leaders across traditions, such as the Karmapa, Ling Rinpoche and those from the Sakya lineage, have started reinforcing a unified global message: that the spiritual legitimacy of any future Dalai Lama must be determined according to centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist traditions, not dictated by political regimes. This outreach is extending across borders to Nepal, Bhutan, Mongolia and Tibetan Buddhist communities throughout the world.
Meanwhile, the Chinese government has been laying the groundwork for its own narrative through a sweeping propaganda campaign. Over the past two decades, Beijing has worked systematically to reframe Tibet as a historical part of China and to present the Dalai Lama as a divisive, even dangerous figure. Disinformation tactics have included state-produced television content, distorted documentaries and coordinated social media attacks aimed at reshaping global perceptions.
These tactics are not accidental. They are part of a larger effort by the Chinese state to erode the Dalai Lama’s credibility, weaken the CTA’s influence, and suppress Tibetan cultural identity. Whether through staged diplomatic tours of Tibet, manipulated social media campaigns or fabricated claims of economic progress, the CCP’s strategy is clear: control the narrative and you control the legacy.
Despite these efforts, the Tibetan movement continues to find resonance in global civil society. The CTA, now led by elected leaders, has become increasingly adept at values-based diplomacy, building partnerships with parliaments, universities, NGOs and human rights organizations. Rather than relying solely on governments, it has turned to grassroots and institutional networks to sustain international attention.
A key moment came recently when India, the host to Dalai Lama and the largest Tibetan exile community, made its position more publicly known. Kiren Rijiju, India's Minister of Parliamentary and Minority Affairs, made a rare statement ahead of visiting Dalai Lama's base in Dharamshala for the religious leader's 90th birthday. "No one has the right to interfere or decide who the successor of His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be," Indian media quoted Rijiju as telling reporters. "Only he or his institution has the authority to make that decision. His followers believe that deeply. It’s important for disciples across the world that he decides his succession."
This marked a subtle but important policy signal. While India has traditionally maintained a cautious diplomatic tone on Tibet, this statement reflected growing concern about China’s attempts to politicize religion and its implications for regional stability.
European countries have also played a consistent role in supporting Tibet. Nations like Germany and the Nordic states have backed development aid, civic education programs and political advocacy. The European Parliament has passed numerous resolutions on Tibet and organizations such as the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom have helped build institutional resilience through long-term capacity building.
Yet, the path ahead will demand more than sympathy. With China’s disinformation machinery becoming increasingly global, European diplomacy must become more strategic – supporting media literacy, digital defense and truth-telling platforms. Silent commitment and moral clarity often yield better outcomes than public grandstanding. What Tibet needs now is sustained attention, not episodic outrage.
Meanwhile, the Dalai Lama continues to serve as one of the world’s most trusted moral voices. In an era marked by growing polarization, his teachings on compassion, interdependence and environmental responsibility offer a rare clarity. For many young people, especially those concerned about climate justice and indigenous rights, he remains a relevant and inspiring figure.
Among the Tibetan youth, this sentiment is even more intense. They have grown up in exile or semi-exile, often straddling two cultures, but remain deeply committed to preserving their heritage. Across schools, universities and advocacy networks, young Tibetans are taking a leading role in defending the Dalai Lama’s legacy and challenging disinformation. Movements like the Tibetan Youth Congress, Students for a Free Tibet, and newer digital initiatives are making their voices heard. For them, the question of succession is not just about religion, it’s about identity, legitimacy and the right to decide their own future.
Yet, the movement must also evolve. Younger Tibetans, particularly those in the diaspora, are calling for more inclusive leadership and greater space in shaping the next chapter of their national journey. Innovations like Monlam AI, which supports Tibetan language technologies, and VTAG, a global advocacy network, are examples of how the Tibetan cause is adapting to the 21st century. Social media, digital activism and educational outreach now play an essential role in keeping the issue alive.
As Tibetans around the world celebrate the Dalai Lama’s 90th birthday, they are not just marking a milestone, they are reaffirming a vision. A vision of a stateless people who still hold a deep sense of national identity. A vision of democratic evolution rooted in tradition. And above all, a vision of hope anchored in moral leadership.
The challenges ahead are real: a contested succession, an authoritarian neighbor determined to rewrite history, and a shifting global order that often prioritizes economics over ethics. But the foundation is strong. The CTA, built on principles of nonviolence, self-governance and cultural resilience, is ready to carry the torch forward.
At 90, the Dalai Lama continues to light the way – not with force, but with the quiet power of example.