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Gaden Phodrang Trust

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July 05, 2025

Prelims: Current events of National and International Importance

Why in news?

Recently, the 14th Dalai Lama affirmed that the Gaden Phodrang Trust will be the sole authority to recognize his future reincarnation.

  • Gaden Phodrang – It is registered in 2011 in Dharamshala, India that is specifically tasked with recognising the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation.
  • Origin – Gaden Phodrang originally refers to the residential quarters of Dalai Lamas at Drepung Monastery, Lhass, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region.
  • Later, it became a term used for the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, established after the 14th Dalai Lama who fled to India in 1959.

The 14th Dalai Lama (Lhamo Thondup), born in 1935 in Tibet, was officially enthroned in 1940, at the age of 4-5 years.

  • Chinese involvement post-1959After Tibet came under Chinese control, the Chinese government claimed authority to approve or reject reincarnations of high Lamas, including the Dalai Lama.
  • The Chinese authorities introduced the controversial "Golden Urn" method, giving the state power to approve reincarnations, which many Tibetans reject.
  • Due to increasing Chinese interference in September 2011, the 14th Dalai Lama issued a formal statement outlining the process for identifying his reincarnation.

Other Associated Institutions

Dalai Lama Trust

  • Dalai Lama Trust (India) – Established in 2009, New Delhi-based non-profit.
  • It funds Tibetan education, culture, and secular ethics programs and promotes,
    • Tibetan welfare
    • Human values
    • Interfaith harmony
    • Global peace

Gaden Phodrang Foundation

  • Gaden Phodrang Foundation (Switzerland) – It is a non-profit and, overseen by Swiss federal authorities.
  • It focuses on,
    • Preserving Dalai Lama tradition
    • Promoting peace, nonviolence, environmental care
    • Fostering cross-religious understanding
    • Supporting global humanitarian efforts
  • It also funds on education & science initiatives of Buddhist philosophy publications and translations.
    • Programs bridging science and religion.
    • Scholarships and access to Buddhist knowledge.

Reference

The Indian Express| Gaden Phodrang Trust

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