JANE MACARTNEY, TIMES UK – Tibet’s living Buddhas have been banned from

reincarnation without permission from China’s atheist leaders. The ban

is included in new rules intended to assert Beijing’s authority over

Tibet’s restive and deeply Buddhist people. “The so-called reincarnated

living Buddha without government approval is illegal and invalid,”

according to the order, which comes into effect on September 1.

The 14-part regulation issued by the State Administration for Religious

Affairs is aimed at limiting the influence of Tibet’s exiled god-king,

the Dalai Lama, and at preventing the re-incarnation of the 72-year-old

monk without approval from Beijing.

It is the latest in a series of measures by the Communist authorities to

tighten their grip over Tibet. Reincarnate lamas, known as tulkus, often

lead religious communities and oversee the training of monks, giving

them enormous influence over religious life in the Himalayan region.

Anyone outside China is banned from taking part in the process of

seeking and recognizing a living Buddha, effectively excluding the Dalai

Lama, who traditionally can play an important role in giving recognition

to candidate reincarnates.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article2194682.ece