The Dalai Lama has officially confirmed that the centuries-old institution of the Dalai Lama will continue after his death, putting an end to years of speculation about its future. The announcement, made on Wednesday (July 2, 2025), comes just ahead of his 90th birthday on July 6 and marks a pivotal decision for Tibetan Buddhism.

“In accordance with all these requests, I am affirming that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue,” the 14th Dalai Lama declared in a statement dated May 21, which was shared publicly on X. This declaration reverses his earlier ambivalence regarding the continuation of the role.

Statement Affirming the Continuation of the Institution of Dalai Lama

(Translated from the original Tibetan)

On 24 September 2011, at a meeting of the heads of Tibetan spiritual traditions, I made a statement to fellow Tibetans in and outside Tibet, followers of Tibetan… pic.twitter.com/VqtBUH9yDm

— Dalai Lama (@DalaiLama) July 2, 2025

The decision follows strong appeals from spiritual leaders, Buddhist communities around the world, and most notably, from Tibetans living inside Tibet. The Dalai Lama acknowledged that he had previously left the future of the institution open to public debate. “Back in 1969, I said the people concerned should decide whether the Dalai Lama’s reincarnations should continue,” he said, also referencing past comments that he would revisit the matter around his 90th birthday after consulting senior lamas and the Tibetan public.

Although no public consultations have taken place over the last 14 years, he noted that he has received a steady stream of requests from a wide range of supporters — including Tibetan parliamentarians, the Central Tibetan Administration, NGOs, and Buddhists from across Asia, including regions under Chinese rule. “Especially meaningful were the messages from Tibetans living in Tibet,” the Dalai Lama said. These appeals are particularly significant in light of China’s attempts to dominate Tibetan religious practices and its claim to control the reincarnation process.

The statement also provided clarity on how the next Dalai Lama will be chosen. The current Dalai Lama affirmed that his successor will be born outside of China, directly opposing Beijing’s claims of having the exclusive right to recognize the reincarnation.

He referred to a previous statement issued on September 24, 2011, which outlines that only the Gaden Phodrang Trust—his official office—has the authority to oversee the reincarnation process. “The Gaden Phodrang Trust has sole authority to recognize the future reincarnation; no other party has any right to interfere,” he emphasized.

This announcement follows recent celebrations of his upcoming birthday, during which he participated in prayer ceremonies with thousands of followers in the Himalayan town of Dharamshala, where he has lived in exile since fleeing Tibet in 1959. The Dalai Lama and thousands of others escaped to India after Chinese forces suppressed an uprising in Lhasa, leading to the formation of a Tibetan government-in-exile that continues today.