Dalai Lama likely to make an announcement regarding his successor on July 2nd

Speculation is rife on His Holiness Dalai Lama to issue a message ahead of his birthday on July 2nd. This message could include his announcing his successor.

Dalai Lama, who came to India in 1959, turns 90 on July 6th. He stepped down as the political head in 2011. A secular government was formed democratically by the 130,000 Tibetans around the world.

Penpa Tsering, the Sikyong, or head of the government based in McLeod Ganj (Himachal Pradesh) has said that on July 2 there would be a meeting of the most senior Tibetan lamas.

There is likely to be a brief meeting of all the nine head lamas, with His Holiness (the Dalai Lama). Following that there would be a religious meeting.

"At the opening of the religious conference there will be a video message from His Holiness", Sikyong said.

Tibetans living in exile are hoping for a news of the successor as they would like continuity in the position of the Dalai Lama (which began 600 years back).

Dalai Lama has already indicated that his successor would be ‘born in the free world.”

The Dalai Lama is not seeking full independence for Tibet but rather a ‘Middle Way’ policy seeking greater autonomy.

The 14th Dalai Lama was two years old when he was identified as the successor in 1936. It is believed that at two years age he pointed towards objects that had belonged to the post's previous occupier.