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Crossroads Asia | Society | East Asia
The seek for the following Jebtsundamba Khutuktu is being difficult by Beijing’s want to say management over Tibetan Buddhism – even outdoors China’s borders.
Mongolia’s pursuit of its subsequent non secular chief, the Jebtsundamba Khutuktu, has develop into a high-stakes recreation of energy and affect behind the scenes, with China’s rising sway casting a shadow over the nation’s spiritual affairs. The title, representing the highest-ranking lama of Tibetan Buddhism in Mongolia, has been vacant because the ninth Jebtsundamba’s passing in 2012.
Regardless of the ninth Jebtsundamba’s want for less than the Dalai Lama to acknowledge his successor, China is seemingly nudging Mongolia to hunt its approval earlier than acknowledging a brand new chief. This tactic is a part of China’s broader technique to manage Buddhism past its borders, with Mongolia being an important piece of the puzzle.
As Buddhism is deeply interwoven with Mongolia’s tradition, historical past, and concepts of sovereignty and democracy, the nation’s financial and geopolitical future hangs within the stability.
The Jebtsundamba Khutuktu is the third most vital determine within the Tibetan Buddhist hierarchy, and can play an vital function in recognizing the following Dalai Lama. China goals to put in its personal pro-China Dalai Lama, making the tenth Jebtsundamba’s function within the succession essential.
The present Dalai Lama – whom Beijing views as a harmful separatist – has visited Mongolia a number of occasions, figuring out a number of spiritual nobles and incarnations. Throughout his final go to in 2016, he’s believed to have secretly carried out the ceremony to establish the brand new Jebtsundamba, which drew China’s ire and a diplomatic warning. At the moment, China imposed charges on commodity imports from Mongolia, charging extra transit prices on items passing by a border crossing into China’s northern area.
The method of figuring out the following Jebtsundamba Khutuktu is fraught with challenges and complexities even outdoors of China’s involvement. The affect of political intrigue has develop into entwined with the choice course of. In a notable occasion, the grandson of a former member of parliament and an influential businesswoman was recognized because the tenth Jebtsundamba.
The involvement of distinguished political and enterprise figures within the choice raises questions concerning the transparency and integrity of the method, probably undermining the non secular authority of the chosen chief. In consequence, the seek for the following Jebtsundamba Khutuktu is just not solely a matter of spiritual significance but in addition a mirrored image of the broader political and social dynamics in Mongolia.
Mongolia should rigorously navigate the intricate net of pursuits and acknowledge its subsequent non secular chief with warning. Whereas China might not take commerce and financial measures in opposition to Mongolia because it did in 2017 following the Dalai Lama’s go to, a strategic method to this delicate spiritual challenge is important.
The hunt for the following Jebtsundamba Khutuktu transcends spiritual significance, turning into a political, financial, and geopolitical battleground.
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