Today in Focus The hunt for the next Dalai Lama
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Jul 28, 2025 
Hannah Ellis-Petersen, The Guardian's South Asia correspondent, and Lhadon Tethong, Director of the Tibet Action Institute, dive into the complex battle over the next Dalai Lama amidst Chinese state control. They discuss the Dalai Lama's legacy at 90 and the challenges Tibetan monks face in preserving their spiritual practices under oppressive regimes. The duo explores how the selection of his successor could reshape global politics and the fight for Tibetan identity, linking it to broader human rights struggles worldwide.
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Dalai Lama's Childhood Recognition
- The 14th Dalai Lama was identified as a two-year-old boy in Tibet using spiritual signs and tests involving personal items from the previous Dalai Lama.
- He passed recognition tests with flying colors, confirming his identity, a decision later approved by senior monks.
China's Impact on Tibet and Dalai Lama
- The 1950s Chinese invasion forcibly ended Tibet's autonomy, forcing the Dalai Lama to flee to India in 1959.
- Mao Zedong's attitude toward religion, calling it poison, made negotiations futile and intensified Tibetan repression.
Dalai Lama Rejects Chinese Succession Claim
- The Dalai Lama announced only his trusted inner circle can choose his successor, rejecting any outside interference, especially from China.
- This declaration signals a challenge to China's claim over the succession and attempts to control Tibetan Buddhism.