China Tells Tibet's Buddhas To 'Apply' For Reincarnation

Tibet's living Buddhas are no longer allowed to be reincarnated without permission from the Chinese government.

The government says: "The new rules are an important move to institutionalise the management of reincarnation of living Buddhas."

According to the regulations, which take effect on September 1, all reincarnation applications must be submitted to religious affairs officials for approval.

Living Buddhas are an important element in Tibetan Buddhism, forming a clergy of influential religious figures who are believed to be continuously reincarnated to take up their positions anew.

China is ruled by the Communist Party, which, despite being officially atheist, maintains strict controls over Tibetan Buddhism and all other religions.

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