Dalai Lama names US-born Mongolian boy as 3rd highest spiritual leader

DHARAMSALA: Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama has named an eight-year-old US-born Mongolian boy as the reincarnation of a spiritual leader. He has been named as the 10th Khalkha Jetsun Dhampa Rinpoche the third most important leader in Tibetan Buddhism.
The move is likely to anger China, which only recognizes Buddhist leaders chosen by it. The Dalai Lama (87) was pictured with the boy during a ceremony recognizing him as the 10th Khalkha Jetsun Dhampa Rinpoche earlier this month in Dharamsala.
“We have the reincarnation of Khalkha Jetsun Dhampa Rinpoche of Mongolia with us today,” the Dalai Lama said during the ceremony attended by 5,000 monks and nuns, 600 Mongolians and other members.
Pointing to the boy, the Dalai Lama told the gathering, “His predecessors had a close association with the Krishnacharya lineage of Chakrasamvara. One of them established a monastery in Mongolia dedicated to its practice. So, his being here today is quite auspicious.”
The anointment of the Mongolian boy as 10th Khalkha Jetsun Dhampa Rinpoche earlier this month follows a visit of the Dalai Lama to Mongolia in 2016, where he announced that a new incarnation of the Jetsun Dhampa had been born and that the search was on to find him, as per media reports.
China had reacted strongly to the visit and warned Mongolia of a diplomatic fallout if the Dalai Lama was allowed to return to the country.
In 1995, the Dalai Lama had named a new Panchen Lama, the second most important figure in the faith. The boy was arrested by the Chinese authorities, who nominated their own candidate.
After the ceremony earlier this month, the Dalai Lama briefly met a significant contingent of Mongolians. “Tantra spread widely in Tibet. With regard to Chakrasamvara, the Ghantapada and Luipa traditions were popular, but this Krishnacharya lineage was quite rare. I received it from Tagdrag Rinpoche and have long felt a close affinity for the practice,” said the Dalai Lama. (a syndicated feed)