In this paper, using John Hick’s hypothesis of religious pluralism as a base, and an interview with His Holiness by Jose Ignacio Cabezon, I will show how the Dalai Lama is a proponent of religious diversity, even agreeable with some of Hick’s theory, but still maintains an exclusivist viewpoint regarding Buddhism. However, underneath his acceptance and tolerance of other world religions, His Holiness seems more of a religious exclusivist. On the surface, the Dalai Lama appears as something of a religious pluralist, which falls in line with the theory presented by John Hick. On the rare occasions he grants interviews, His Holiness not only discusses Buddhism, but he also carefully addresses the benefits of religious diversity in the world today. While emancipation has not yet come to pass, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, as he is called, has taken the opportunity of his exile to travel the world and open up the mysteries and practices of Buddhism to the rest of the world. ![]() The Dalai Lama has worked ceaselessly to promote the nonviolent emancipation of Tibet ever since. He assumed the rule in 1950, but in 1959 the Chinese occupation forced him to leave his home in Tibet. Just as the 11th Panchen Lama said, "The reincarnation system of Tibetan Buddhism not only serves the religion, but also serves society, so it must be in line with the needs of social progress.Tenzin Gyatso was designated the fourteenth Dalai Lama, the spiritual and temporal head of Tibet, in 1937 at the age of two. ![]() Furthermore, any religious affairs are part of China's domestic affairs, so it must be done in accordance with Chinese law. So the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama must be carried out within Chinese territory. Therefore, no matter which influential Living Buddha he is, his reincarnation must follow this convention.Ĭhina is the birthplace of Tibetan Buddhism and the Living Buddhas are Chinese. It stipulated that the reincarnation of Living Buddhas should not be interfered with or manipulated by any external forces. In 2007, the Measures on the Management of the Reincarnation of Living Buddhas of Tibetan Buddhism were formulated. In 1995, the 11th Panchen Lama was conferred with his title by the central government through this strict religious ritual. Since Xizang's peaceful liberation in 1951, the central government of the People's Republic of China showed its respect by preserving this convention and religious ritual. Whether it was during the Qing Dynasty or the Republic of China (1912-45) era, the system never changed. In addition, reincarnations of Living Buddhas must be carried out through the procedure of drawing lots from a golden urn. In 1793, in order to strengthen governance over the local government of Xizang, the Qing government promulgated the Imperially Approved Ordinance for Better Governance of Xizang, clearly stipulating that Xizang's personnel, finance, religion, military, and especially its external relations must be supervised by its Grand Minister Resident. Since then, it has a historical convention that the reincarnations of both the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama must be approved by the central government, providing it with legitimacy. In 1713, the Emperor Kangxi also sent an imperial commissioner to officially confer the title of Panchen Erdeni to the 5th Panchen Lama at the Tashilhunpo Monastery, the residence of the Panchen Lama in Xigatze, Xizang Autonomous Region. This marked the first time that the title of Dalai Lama was granted by the central government. In 1653, when the 5th Dalai Lama came to Beijing, the Emperor Shunzhi officially conferred the title of Dalai Lama on him. However, a few days ago, an organization in Japan "warned China not to interfere in Tibetan religious matters, including the selection of high Tibetan lamas." This totally exposes its ignorance of history and China's religious policy.Īccording to the TV series, the reincarnation convention of Living Buddhas in Xizang was established during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), developed in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and improved during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) under the administration of the central government. It emphasized that this religious ritual has been supervised by the Chinese central government and conducted within Chinese territory since the late 13th century. ![]() Illustration: Hang Dachuan/Global TimesThe just finished TV series Tashilhunpo on China Central Television gave a detailed account of the search for the reincarnations of the Dalai Lama and Panchen Lama, who hold equal positions in Tibetan Buddhism.
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