China can’t manipulate Dalai Lama’s reincarnation: Tibetans
The ninth budget session of the 17th Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile for the fiscal year 2025-2026 scheduled to be held from March 17 to 31 commenced on Monday.
Speaker Khenpo Sonam Tenphel and Sikyong Penpa Tsering, in his session opening speech, offered prayers and prostrations to the Dalai Lama.
The Speaker began his opening address and spoke on the deteriorating situation in Tibet, particularly highlighting the Chinese restrictions on Tibetan students on March 10, 2025, Tibetan National Uprising Day. He also spoke about the release of the Dalai Lama’s latest book, Voice for the Voiceless, on March 11, which received widespread coverage from major global media outlets. The book also featured the Dalai Lama’s statement that his reincarnation will be born outside of China, a declaration to which China responded with criticism.
Reiterating that reincarnation is a deeply religious process and cannot be manipulated as a political tool by China, the Speaker quoted a passage from the book: “To my fellow Tibetans: Never lose hope, however dark the sky may become. As our saying goes, ‘If you fall nine times, you get up nine.’ Always remember that a bright sun awaits behind the clouds.” He urged everyone to “Never Give Up!”
The House gave official obituary references to former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and former American President Jimmy Carter, alias James Earl Carter Jr. The House also gave official obituary references to former Chief Justice Commissioner and former Deputy Speaker Jadur Sonam Sangpo, former Kalon Trisur (prime minister) Gyalo Thondup, former Kalon (minister) Shewo Lobsang Dhargyal, former parliamentarian Choeje Ayang Tulku Rinpoche, former parliamentarian Khortsa Sonam Damdul and former parliamentarian Kyunglung Thokmey.
Sikyong Penpa Tsering, the incumbent Finance Kalon of the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA), presented the 2025-2026 Budget of the Central Tibetan Administration, proposing an amount of Rs 367.5 crore. The motion for debate on the Central Tibetan Administration’s 2025-2026 Budget was tabled by Parliamentarian Geshe Atong Rinchen Gyaltsen and supported by Parliamentarian Tenzin Jigdal.
Thereafter, Parliamentarian Geshe Atong Rinchen Gyaltsen, Chair of the 12th Public Accounts Committee (PAC), presented the report of the committee. The House welcomed German MP Anna- Elisabeth, Kate (member of Tibet Support Group from UK), and former parliamentary Secretary-General Tsering Dorjee as observers.
