Surprised?
Not really, since there have been hints of the Dalai Lama’s retirement of many years now. As Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Beijing states, “it was just a question of timing.”
While the Dalai Lama maintains his spiritual role, he has relinquished all political power as head of Tibet’s government-in-exile.
“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 an address.
Despite the easy manner of his retirement, there have been some interesting mixed responses. China, who couldn’t be more ecstatic at the Lama’s retirement, is propping up the Panchan Lama to take his place.
Naturally, some Tibetan’s feel abandoned despite the Dalai Lama’s assurances for a better future. On the horizon, we can possibly look forward to a female Dalai Lama! The current 14th Dalai Lama has related as much, and has also made it known that she may be found outside of Tibet.
These last two revelations in particular have been overlooked by the political situation in Tibet, but are exciting prospects never the less.
