Will Tibet Let Go of the Dalai Lama?

Over 50 years after the popular uprising in Tibet against Chinese Communist rule and his eventual flight to India, the Dalai Lama last week said he plans to formally step down as political leader of the India-based Tibetan government-in-exile, while retaining his role as spiritual leader.

“As early as the 1960s, I have repeatedly stressed that Tibetans need a leader, elected freely by the Tibetan people, to whom I can devolve power,” the Dalai Lama said in Dharamsala, a town that serves as headquarters for Tibet’s government-in-exile, in an annual speech marking the anniversary of the failed 1959 uprising. “My desire to devolve authority has nothing to do with a wish to shirk responsibility. It is to benefit Tibetans in the long run,” the Dalai Lama said.

The Dalai Lama’s insistence on devolution of power will mean handing greater authority to the Tibetan prime-minister-in-exile, the Kalon Tripa. Currently there are three main candidates for the office of Kalon Tripa: Lobsang Sangay, who holds a doctorate from Harvard Law School, Tenzin Tethong, a fellow at Stanford University, and Tashi Wangdi, who has long been the Dalai Lama’s representative to Europe. Elections are slated for March 20.

Kundun 1997 Trailer

You must see “Kundun” if you haven’t already! Be sure to look out for David Lee McInnis in his soon to be released film, “Escape From Tibet”!

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