Even as talks between the envoys of the Dalai Lama and the government of China resume after breaking off in July, the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader expressed his fears that an agreement over Tibetan autonomy would never be reached. Aides hinted at a major policy shift toward China in light of the failed talks and commented that the Dalai Lama had lost hope in trying to reach a solution with the present Chinese leadership. In April, protests against Chinese rule sparked a violent Chinese crackdown in Tibet that drew worldwide condemnation.

In 2007, China passed a law granting Beijing sole authority in the naming of the Dalai Lama's successor. The law declared that reincarnation could only take place inside China, and that only the government could declare some one to be a soul child--the reincarnation of a Buddhist lama. As with the bishops in the Catholic Church, China intends to replace lamas who are pro-Tibet with those who would be loyal to Beijing.

Labels: China, Dalai Lama, reincarnation