Imagine the shockwave it would create if a pope announced that he was consciously and deliberately ending the line of popes because he thought the institution should go out on a high note.

Last edited Sun Sep 14, 2014, 12:27 PM - Edit history (1)

The Dalai Lama is not like the Pope. He is not the head monk of Tibetan Buddhism. He is the head monk of the Gelugpa school. The fifth Dalai Lama was given by the Khan's the secular leadership of Tibet, think governor during the Roman Empire days, and the fused position has lasted until the Chinese invaded Tibet.

While in exile, the Tibetans formed an elected parliamentary government thereby rendering the secular role of the Dalai Lama null and void. He willingly vacated that position some years ago. There may be another Dalai Lama but he will not be the ruler of Tibet, he will just be the head monk of the Gelugpa school. There are spiritual leaders of the other schools as well. For example, the Kagyupa school has the Karampa who is married and lives here in the US. The Sakyapa school has H.H. the Sakya Trizin who is the 41st lineage holder in this ancient school, and he and his wife live in India with their two sons.

This Dalia Lama has shown deep ecumenism in his dealings with all of the major schools. He will be remembered as much as the great 5th one. The 5th created the secular leadership position for his people, and the 14th will have dissolved it for his people in exile.