The Dalai Lama Resigns from Political Role

by NowPublic Staff | March 9, 2011 at 09:35 pm

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14th Dalai Lama Steps Down from Political Head of Tibet

Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, has announced his his retirement from political life. His full speech is available via the link below. The Dalai Lama wrote that, going forward, Tibet needs a freely-elected leader; he himself was chosen at age two (born with the name Lhamo Dondrub) by the Gelug Buddhists as the latest in a series of rebirths of Tibet's spiritual leader, and was formally recognized as such at age 15 in 1950.

The Dalai Lama has lived in exile since 1959, after the Tibetan Uprising, setting up a government-in-exile in India. The Dalai Lama has traveled the world ever since, lecturing on peace, tolerance, and interfaith understanding, as well as lobbying for Tibet's independence. However, he had admitted to receiving CIA backing in the 1960s as part of the USA's positioning against Communist China.

The Dalai Lama's announcement came on the 52nd anniversary of the Tibetan Uprising.

Tibet's Government Without the Dalai Lama

While the Dalai Lama will no longer act as a political leader, he will still be the Dalai Lama: he will still be a spiritual leader. Tibet's Parliament-in-exile will carry on running Tibet's affairs, as it has largely done anyway: The Dalai Lama's position was largely ceremonial.

Since I made my intention clear I have received repeated and earnest requests both from within Tibet and outside, to continue to provide political leadership. My desire to devolve authority has nothing to do with a wish to shirk responsibility. It is to benefit Tibetans in the long run. It is not because I feel disheartened. Tibetans have placed such faith and trust in me that as one among them I am committed to playing my part in the just cause of Tibet. I trust that gradually people will come to understand my intention, will support my decision and accordingly let it take effect.