New Delhi - Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama scotched
rumours of his possible retirement Sunday, saying he would work for
the Tibetan cause until his death, news reports said.
'There is no point or question of retirement. It is my moral
responsibility until my death to work for the Tibetan cause,' IANS
news agency quoted the leader as saying at a press briefing in the
northern Indian town of Dharamsala.
The 73-year-old monk suffered ill health and underwent surgery
earlier in 2008 inviting speculation that he may opt to give
political leadership of the Tibetan movement to a successor.
He also admitted in October that his middle way policy of
negotiating greater autonomy for Tibet within China had so far failed
to yield results and it may be time for him to step aside.
'I am completely committed to the Tibetan cause. Tibet is a just
issue. It is an international issue because it is based on truth,'
the Dalai Lama said.
He said he had strong faith that one day all Tibetans would return
to Tibet.
There has also been debate about a spiritual successor to the Dali
Lama. Traditionally, a committee of monks are supposedly led by
divine intuition to a young child born after his death, who is
supposed be a reincarnation.
However, in 2007 Chinese officials demanded that all likely
reincarnations of lamas had to win prior approval from the
government's Religious Affairs Bureau.
Speaking on his successor, the Dalai Lama said the person could
even be female because women play an increasingly important role in
the world today and have more compassion and empathy.
A special meeting of Tibetan exiles called by the Dalai Lama to
discuss the future course of their movement ended Saturday with a
reaffirmation of faith in his leadership.
'The special general meeting also strongly appealed to his
holiness not to take semi-retirement or retirement and to continue to
lead the Tibetan people,' a statement from the government-in-exile
said.
USA
Your Talkback on this Story