Tibetan Living Buddhas cannot Reincarnate Without Government Approval
Tue, 08/14/2007 - 21:07 — LD
China＇s State Administration for Religious Affairs has issued a decree "Reincarnation Regulations of Tibetan Living Buddhas" providing that reincarnations of Tibetan living Buddhas without government approval would be "illegal or invalid" after September 1, 2007. The selection of reincarnates must serve the interests of national unity and solidarity of all ethnic groups and cannot be influenced by any group or individual from outside the country. The Reincarnation Regulations also require that temples that apply for reincarnation of a living Buddha must be "legally-registered venues for Tibetan Buddhism activities."[1]
The Reincarnation Regulations dated July 18, 2007 are composed of 14 articles including conditions and prohibitions of reincarnations, application and approval procedures and punishment for violations.
"Article 2. Reincarnations of living Buddhas shall abide the principles of safeguard national unity, solidarity of all ethnicities, religious and social harmony and normal order of Tibetan Buddhism. Reincarnations of living Buddhas shall respect Tibetan Buddhist religious rituals and historical conventions, but shall not resume feudal privileges that have been abolished. Reincarnations of living Buddhas shall not be interfered with and controlled by any organizations or individuals from outside the country."
"Article 3. Reincarnations of living Buddhas shall meet the following conditions:
Most of the local religious people and temple administration request such reincarnation.
The reincarnation system is true and original and has been carried out as of date.
Temples that apply for reincarnation of a living Buddha must be where the living Buddha reside, legally-registered venues for Tibetan Buddhism activities and are capable of fostering and offering proper means of support for the living Buddha."
"Article 4. No living Buddhas shall be reincarnated if one of the following occurs:
Tibetan Buddhist scriptures prohibit such reincarnation.
Local municipal or above People＇s Government specifically bans such reincarnation."
Article 5 provides that all the reincarnation applications must be submitted to the religious affairs department of the county-level government, provincial-level government, SARA, and the State Council, respectively, for approval in accordance with the influence of the living Buddhas in the religious communities.
Article 11 provides that those who violate the Reincarnation Regulations and engage in unauthorized reincarnation matters for Tibetan living Buddhas may face criminal charges.
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