Dalai Lama has formally relinquished his political powers “in a historic move” but will remain the symbol of Tibetan unity, a spokesman for the spiritual leader said on Monday. Tibetan exiles elected a Harvard scholar, Lobsang Sangay, 43, in April as their new prime minister to assume the political duties of the globe-trotting spiritual icon.“It is a very historic moment. He will still be the religious leader and the symbol of Tibetan unity, but he has formally devolved his political role,” the Buddhist monk’s spokesman, Tempa Tsering, told AFP.T
he Dalai Lama, 75, said in March he would give up his role as the Tibetan movement’s political leader, transferring powers to a newly-elected head of the government-in-exile based in the northern Indian hill town of Dharamshala.Although the Dalai Lama will retain the more significant role of spiritual leader and will still be influential when it comes to major policy-making decisions, the transition will make Sangay a far more prominent figure than his predecessor as prime minister.
The Dalai signed amendments to the constitution of the Tibetan government-in-exile at the weekend to formally cede his political role, Tsering said.“It was his last political act,” he said.The political powers he held now rest with the Tibetan government-in-exile and its democratic leadership, Tsering said.“The Dalai Lama will only remain the spiritual head,” he said.He will now spend his time “working more to promote human values and work for better inter-religious understanding,” Tsering added.
