There has been speculation over the succession plan for the Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader.The Dalai Lama has said that he hopes to live for another 40 years until he is 130 years old, on the eve of his 90th birthday, days after he sought to assuage rife speculation over his succession by saying he would reincarnate upon his death.
The Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader was speaking on Saturday during a ceremony organised by his followers to offer prayers for his long life, ahead of his 90th birthday on Sunday.
Leading thousands in the prayers as the sound of chanting, drums and horns rang out, he said: “So far, I have done my best and with the continued blessings of Avalokiteshvara [a Buddhist spiritual protector], I hope to live another 30 or 40 years, continuing to serve sentient beings and the Buddha Dharma”, he said, referring to the teachings of the Buddha.
The Dalai Lama previously told the Reuters news agency in December that he might live to 110.
The Dalai Lama has confirmed that he will have a successor chosen in accordance with “past tradition”, ending years of speculation about the centuries-old office.
In a video message on Wednesday, he said the Gaden Phodrang Foundation, which he established to preserve the institution, will have the power to recognise his future reincarnation.
Tibetan Buddhist leaders will search for his successor, he added, stressing that “no one else has an …
