Spiritual leader of Tibet the Dalai Lama, has named an eight-year-old USA born Mongolian boy as the 10th Khalkha Jetsun Dhampa Rinpoché – the third highest rank in Tibetan Buddhism according to the reports. The decision comes amid speculations that the 14th Dalai Lama—Tenzin Gyatso, the highest spiritual Tibetan – will name his successor soon.
According to the reports of Hindustan Times, the ceremony took place on March 8 in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, where the Buddhist leader lives in exile, the reports added. The move will likely irk China owing to its longstanding animosity toward the Buddhist spiritual leader.
The 87 year old leader has been fighting for Tibet’s autonomy since 1959 when China occupied it. He has been living in exile since the Tibetan rebellion against China.
It may be noted here, last year the Dalai Lama arrived in Delhi. He was greeted warmly by his devotees.
According to Mongolian media, the newly proclaimed Rinpoché is one of the twin brothers, named Aguidai and Achiltai Altannar, born in the USA. The boys were born to Altannar Chinchuluun, a university mathematics professor, and Monkhnasan Narmandakh, a national resources conglomerate executive. Meanwhile, the boy’s grandmother, Garamjav Tseden, is a former Mongolian parliament member.