The Dalai Lama announces his intention to abandon all political functions, retaining only his spiritual role. The decision renders moot all attempts by Beijing to politically condition the choice of the next Dalai Lama. The leader of Tibetans in exile in Dharamsala, who once called for Tibetan independence and now has settled for greater autonomy, is considered a traitor by china.

Dharamsala (AsiaNews/Agencies) – The Dalai Lama will maintain his spiritual role but abandon his political role, the Tibetan leader told students in the United States.

“His Holiness has already been taking a less active role in day-to-day administration,” but “he will continue to be the spokesperson of the six million Tibetans, because he is undisputedly the leader of the Tibetans—people look up to him to lead,” said Chhime Rigzing a senior spokesman for the 71-year-old leader.

The Dalai Lama has lived in exile in Dharamsala, a town in northern Indian in the foothills of the Himalayas, since 1959 after a revolt against Chinese rule failed. China’s People Liberation Army had occupied the country in 1951 with the excuse of liberating the country. Since then Beijing has crushed every rebellion.

The Dalai Lama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his dedication to Tibet's non-violent liberation. Over time he has abandoned his original demands of independence for his homeland. He now talks of greater autonomy to preserve Tibet's language, culture and environment.

China has instead continued to accuse the spiritual leader of provoking separatism and regards him as a traitor refusing any dialogue.

The Dalai Lama’s announcement that his next reincarnation may play no political role in the region is placing China in a predicament.

“In 2001 a democratically-elected leadership was chosen which now has the task of leading the Tibetan Diaspora and our brothers at home. The next Dalai Lama will perhaps only be a spiritual leader,” the Buddhist leader said.

This implies that Beijing’s attempts to political condition the choice of the next Dalai Lama become meaningless.

After appointing the new Panchen Lama (the second most important post in Tibetan Buddhism) and seized the one recognised as legitimate in July 2005, Beijing announced that it will be up to the local government to recognise the new Dalai Lama.

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