Long live the Dalai Lama

Since the Chinese invasion of 1950, Tibet has been officially part of of the country and Beijing does not like religious leaders who are beyond its control.

The Dalai Lama, pictured in April 2012 during a visit to Ottawa, turned 90 on July 6. China views his death as a golden opportunity to ‘nationalize’ Tibetan Buddhism by giving the state the power to choose his successor, writes Gwynne Dyer. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Opinion

BY GWYNNE DYER

July 7, 2025

LONDON, U.K.—The whole business of succession would be a lot simpler if the Dalai Lama could just regenerate, like in Doctor Who. When the time comes for The Doctor to stop looking like David Tennant and start looking like Matt Smith, there’s flames coming out o...

To keep reading, subscribe and become a political insider.

Only $7.76 a week for an annual subscription.

Enjoy unlimited website access and the digital newspaper.

Cancel anytime.

Already a Subscriber?

Get Weekend Point of View Newsletter

A round up of the past weekâ€™s opinion writers and columnists on Saturdays and Sundays.

By entering your email address you consent to receive email from The Hill Times containing news, analysis, updates and offers. You may unsubscribe at any time. See our privacy policy