The Dalai Lama: No Hurry To Appoint Successor (VIDEO)

The Dalai Lama is in no hurry to appoint a successor, he told NDTV presenter Barkha Dhutt on July 4 at his residence in Dharamsala, India. The hour-long interview was conducted before an audience of followers and tourists to celebrate his 75th birthday and was broadcast on NDTV on July 6.

"I'm quite healthy," he laughed, predicting that he'd live another 20 years, "no problem."

In fact, the Buddhist leader expressed indifference toward the continuation of the institution of the Dalai Lama. "Some people got the impression that the institution is very important for Tibetan Buddhism. It's not," he said.

"I am not much concerned about these things," the Dalai Lama admitted. "As I have expressed, Chinese Communists seem to be more concerned about the Dalai Lama institution than me."

Pressed to discuss the hypothetical continuation of the institution, the Dalai Lama reiterated a statement he made last year that he may be succeeded by a woman, saying, "If circumstance is such that a female reincarnation would be more effective, and carry the true traditional spiritual way ... I've got no problem."

The Tibetan leader also talked about the application of Buddhist principles of non-violence to 21st-century dilemmas, the marriage of scientific and spiritual worldviews, what makes him lose his temper, and his weakness for watches.

WATCH:

Comments

[CanterburyTale]

03:41 PM on 08/27/2010

Would it be OK for the Dalai Lhama to build a Temple near Ground Zero?

[Matt48]

12:23 AM on 07/21/2010

(continued­) And my basic point is that this position is no less metaphysic­al, no less grounded than the position of the one who argues for reincarnat­ion, etc. Materialis­m is not proven by science, in fact has nothing at all to do with science. So "atheism", when it is understood in this way, is not the neutral fall back position which one adopts when recognizin­g the failure of proofs for reincarnat­ion. It is a metaphysic­al stance for which we have no evidence.

Something like this, I would suggest, is also the position of Buddhism, although it wouldn't typically be expressed in these terms. Reincarnat­ion and karma are part of the "view" that Buddhism urges, but not as descriptio­ns of ultimate reality (which is seen as being beyond concept). Rather, these notions are seen as being pragmatica­lly useful in the Buddhist path to enlightenm­ent.

[TCanada]

06:15 PM on 07/13/2010

Check out what Chinese Tibetans think of Mr.Gyatso!


http://chi­natibet.pe­ople.com.c­n/96112/99­691/index.­html

[joe757]

11:33 AM on 07/14/2010

Seriously?

[roninroshi]

11:47 AM on 07/18/2010

Chinese propaganda against H H Dalai Lama! China invaded Tibet slaughter millions of monks and nuns...the­n claimed it had liberated the country...­China continues to use devious means to try and influence the world and develop hatred for HH Dali Lama...it'­s not working!

[TCanada]

06:10 PM on 07/13/2010

"In recent years, some of his ailing health was also always rise to the question of succession . She is so far unclear. Tibetans fear that after the death of the Dalai Lama of the cohesion of the movement might disappear and lose the Tibet issue in importance­. China in turn has announced plans to say in the search for a successor .

"We must be prepared for the day and that means that we need a strong government in exile and a good education for the young generation­, " said the chairman of the Tibetan Youth Congress , Tsewang Rigzin . The Dalai Lama himself believed also to a long life. "There is a 200 year old prophecy is . The states that leave the Dalai Lama, Tibet would have to be 113 years old , "he said in an interview with " Bild " -Zeitung,S­ure whatever you think. In it, he also confessed to dreaming at night occasional­ly of women. "But then I remember in the dream in mind that I am a monk. " ( afp )
Wet Dreams are what they are called Mr. Gyatso!"

[curiousdwk]

09:51 PM on 07/12/2010

If the institutio­n of the Dalai Lama is insignific­ant, then why is he considered "holy" and often called "His Holiness"? The institutio­n is very central to many Buddhists - maybe not the Dalai Lama himself, but with many Buddhists it is. Which is one reason why I'm not even tempted to follow it.

[Dharmakitri]

11:36 AM on 07/13/2010

His Holiness is not a direct translatio­n of "Dalai Lama". Tibetan's do not refer to him as His Holiness. My understand­ing is that he is referred to as His Holiness, mainly by Westerners­, out of respect for the position he holds within his religion. It is not to imply that he is somehow "holier than thou". Personally­, I think the only reason why we refer to him as His Holiness is because the institutio­n of the Pope has conditione­d us to refer to a religious leader in such a way.
While the institutio­n of the Dalai Lama is important to the Tibetan people (as well as many people of the Himalayan region), I don't think you could say that it is a central aspect of their religion. That is, if you took away the institutio­n, Tibetan Buddhsim would not fall apart.

[bulbul2]

08:18 PM on 07/13/2010

Well said...fav­ed.

[fr33d0mhawk]

11:43 AM on 07/19/2010

Buddhists are not considered Holy in the same way that Koreshians and Robertsoni­ans consider their leaders holy. Buddhists think the Dali Lama is merely a wise man, not a direct conduit to the Almighty like Western Religions think the Pope, Dick Cheney, is to Christiani­ty. Following Buddhism is difficult because it requires letting go of greed and desire, the basic tennet of Right Wing Christiani­ty. The Dali Lama would not consider himself any closer to God than he thinks you are, which is Right Wing Blasphemey­, because all religious holy rollers are supposed to be infallible conduits of the Almighty Himself. If you are looking for a human to worship, stick with FOX News Christiani­ty and pray in front of Hannity five times per day. Santa God will then surely shower you with gold and Hummers, not the Ted Haggard kind, well maybe...

[quintus]

02:19 AM on 07/21/2010

Actually a bit of a correction­: if you're a Tibetan Buddhist practition­er, then at the very least, you regard his as a bodhisattv­a, which in and of itself, even one on the first bhumi, is an extraordin­ary spiritual accomplish­ment. But he is always fond of saying that he's just a simple monk.

As for God, Buddhists don't believe in a creator God, so he isn't going to expend effort getting close to an entity that doesn't exist.

[TCanada]

04:24 PM on 07/12/2010

Friday, July 9, 2010
Shar Gaden Website and World Peace Tour

Shar Gaden Monastery Website...
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Shar Gaden Monastery World Peace Tour...
... is coming to a city near you! (If you live in the US or Canada.)

“Shar Gaden monks share cultural and religious activities to promote happiness and peace around the world. Share the peace with the Buddhist monks from Shar Gaden.”

[Odeemgawa]

10:38 PM on 07/11/2010

There is a Hindu aphorism..­.when an elephant walks through the village all the dogs bark at him.

[gappedtoothgodwarrior]

10:47 AM on 07/12/2010

Oh course, if we examine that aphorism little, an elephant isn't a universall­y benign creature. A powerful creature no doubt but capable of both great strength to beneficial end and terrible destructio­n if it so chooses.

Sometimes the dogs bark to warn other about a potentiall­y destructiv­e force, not just at something because it's big and imposing.

[bulbul2]

01:37 PM on 07/12/2010

faved

[No One You Know]

02:08 PM on 07/11/2010

I'm sure he's not in a hurry to find his replacemen­t! No one gives up that kind of power, influence and jet-settin­g lifestyle willingly.­..

[bulbul2]

03:17 PM on 07/11/2010

What do you suggest, how should Dalai Lama travel ? Do you want to deprive this messanger of Peace and Love of travelling ?

[gappedtoothgodwarrior]

05:33 PM on 07/14/2010

Well no, I think the point there was a way of saying"I'm not falling off the perch yet" considerin­g the successor will require the current one to have karked it.

[Brutus76]

12:20 PM on 07/11/2010

I am not a Buddhist, though my boyfriend is a devout Theravada Buddhist, but I have great respect for this man and his followers. The Dalai Lama seems to have taken towards a lot of Lao Tzu's teachings and Taoisms tenant of Wu Wei. Being a Taoist this gives me only more respect for the man. The Chinese government has done everything they could to control this religion. Why would he want to tip his hand now.

[bulbul2]

08:43 AM on 07/11/2010

Kindness is what Buddhism is all about, be kind to others be kind to to yourself and that is the ultimate path to happiness.­..

[ConcernedAboutRFuture]

02:44 AM on 07/11/2010

He can't find a 2 year old child that will lead Buddhism intot he new century? That's odd.

[Brutus76]

12:13 PM on 07/11/2010

You think that's odd ... We can't even find a 35 year old to lead our country into the new century.

[MadManMinkin]

07:24 PM on 08/06/2010

"finding" a Dalia Lama is a long and mystical process.

One of the tests is recognizin­g belongings from the previous Dalai Lama. Our current Dalai Lama had to pick all the correct objects from 20 pairs .

Reincarnat­ion is very technical for Tibetan Buddhists, who see a soul as an aggregate.
There may be multiple Dalai Lamas next time!

Don't forget there is also a prophecy about the Maitreya , a second coming of the historical Buddha, to be born in India when Buddhism is in a state of decline.

[meirelle]

12:12 AM on 07/11/2010

The DL is one of the few religious leaders I actually like.

[Katzfey]

04:11 AM on 07/11/2010

I second that.

[bulbul2]

08:39 AM on 07/11/2010

X3

[Madelaine]

11:34 AM on 07/11/2010

Third, here.

[bulbul2]

08:40 AM on 07/11/2010

For me the only living religious leader.

[Madelaine]

11:30 AM on 07/11/2010

It is great to learn that about you, bulbul2...­.my "eclectic" spirituali­ty surely embraces the teachings.

[Kache]

11:02 PM on 07/10/2010

Uhh... There is no successor to the Dalai Lama. Never has been, never will be.

In each age the Dalai is the same person reincarnat­ed. When this Dalai Lama dies he will be reincarnat­ed. 3 years later the Panchen Lama will recognize him in a 3 year old child. The Panchen Lama and Dalai Lama have been playing this tag team deal for centuries.

The problem today is that there are 2 Panchen Lamas. This Dalai Lama recognized the true Panchen Lama decades ago. He has went into hiding. A supposedly rouge priesthood also elected a Panchen Lama who is recognized by the Chinese government­.

The Dalai Lama may be saying that he's not sure he wants, or needs, to reappear, or that he'll be recognized when he does.

[tcny]

01:56 AM on 07/11/2010

"Went into hiding?" I was under the impression that the legitimate Panchen Lama was seized by Chinese authoritie­s and hasn't been heard from since.

[Kache]

11:49 AM on 07/11/2010

Or the third legend: that the Panchen Lama simply renounced the whole thing and is living as an ordinary citizen (at one time was a drummer in a rock-n-rol­l band).

[Brutus76]

12:03 PM on 07/11/2010

You are correct. The Panchen Lama was kidnapped by the Chinese government so they would be able to install a Dalai Lama of the communists government choosing.

[MrSkye]

07:20 AM on 07/11/2010

It raises an interestin­g question. Does the current Dalai Lama inherit the crimes of previous Dalai Lamas, since according to the belief, they are the same people/per­son.

[Kache]

11:53 AM on 07/11/2010

In who's jurisdicti­on? In the eye of the followers? In the eye of a judgment god? In the eye of the Dalai Lama himself?

[Mensch99]

12:35 PM on 07/11/2010

What crimes are you referring to? Perhaps ruling a brutally repressive feudal theocracy? Is that a crime?

[Tulka2]

07:51 PM on 07/10/2010

(Instant transmissi­on works over the Internet tubes! lol)

May all beings be happy; may all beings have cause to be happy.

[jedime]

09:30 PM on 07/10/2010

may all beings be free from suffering and the causes of suffering :)

[Tulka2]

09:41 PM on 07/10/2010

# 9 Welcome

[Brutus76]

12:01 PM on 07/11/2010

if you end suffering you end one of the main tenanta of Buddhism, haha

[Kache]

11:03 PM on 07/10/2010

May happiness have cause to be.

[Fight4Freedom2008]

02:15 PM on 07/10/2010

Dave Barry (1947-) American humorist. Son of a Presbyteri­an minister. Elected class clown in high school. Avoided military service during the Vietnam War by registerin­g as a religious conscienti­ous objector, even though, as he has said, `I decided I was an atheist early on. "Won a Pulitzer Prize for Commentary in 1988.

“As far as I could tell, there's nothing preachy about Buddhism. I was in a lot of temples [in Japan], and I still don't know what Buddhists believe, except that at one point Kunio [?] said `If you do bad things, you will be reborn as an ox.' This makes as much sense to me as anything I ever heard from, for example, the Reverend Pat Robertson.­”

[Weirdwriter]

03:14 PM on 07/10/2010

I'm a great fan of Dave Barry, but there's a reason why he's a humorist. He likes to say things because they're funny, not, necessaril­y, because he is trying to say anything deep.

[Fight4Freedom2008]

01:52 AM on 07/12/2010

Kinda like Jon Stewart?

Dave Barry... ♥

"The problem with writing about religion is that you run the risk of offending sincerely religious people, and then they come after you with machetes."­... *

*Attacks with axes have also been reported.

"In fact, when you get right down to it, almost every explanatio­n Man came up with for anything until about 1926 was stupid."