Dalai Lama says he is contemplating retirement within months

New Delhi, Nov 21 (PTI) Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai
Lama has said he was contemplating retirement within months
and a final decision on it will be taken after consultations
with the political leadership and Parliament-in-exile.
The 76-year-old leader, who has been living in India in
exile since 1959, expressed hope that he could return to his
homeland before his death.
"I think within next six months," the Tibetan leader
told Karan Thapar's Devil's Advocate programme when asked
whether he was retiring as was being speculated.
He, however, promptly added that "I do not know. May be
next few months. I think may be."
The Dalai Lama said he will firm up his decision on
retirement after discussions with the Tibetan
Parliament-in-exile.
"I want to inform them about my intention although I
briefly mentioned (about it) already," he said.
Justifying his decision, he said the Tibetans in exile
have already put in place a political set-up in 2001 and since
then major decisions are being taken by the political
leadership.
"Since then my position is something like semi-retired
position. The major decisions are in the hands of political
leadership. In order to utilise full democracy, I felt better
I am not involved in any sort of these works," he said.
Asked whether the institution of Dalai Lama would
continue even after his demise, he said if his death came
within next few years, then most probably the people concerned
including Mongolian and the Himalayan range of Buddhists would
like to keep it.
On how the next Dalai Lama will be chosen as China is
apparently not sympathetic to the institution, he said "I
think they (China) are more concerned about the next Dalai
Lama."
When asked whether he was reluctant to nominate his
successor, he only suggested that if people really want, then
a having a deputy Dalai Lama can be considered in the event of
his death or being too old.
"If people really want to keep this institution, then
at the time of my sort of death or too old, then if necessary
some kind of deputy Dalai Lama or something, I do not know
what kind of appropriate name (should be)..I do not
know...someone carrying my sort of work," he said.
Asked whether his successor should be from Tibet or
from the diaspora community, the spiritual leader said if his
death occured while remaining "outside" then logically the
next reincarnation should be from outside Tibet to carry
forward his works. PTI