Gaya, December 25: Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, sent a strong message to China on Wednesday. Speaking to reporters in Bihar's Gaya, the Dalai Lama said that the Chinese government has "power of gun", whereas his followers have "power of truth". "We have the power of truth. Chinese communists have the power of gun. In the long run, power of truth is much stronger than power of gun," the Dalai Lama said. Dalai Lama Apologises For 'Attractive Woman Successor' Remark, Clarifies His Stand on Refugees.

After a rebellion against the Chinese rule in 1959, the spiritual leader had exiled himself in India and has since been living mostly in Himachal Pradesh's Dharamsala. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989. His supporters operate a government-in-exile and promote Tibet's autonomy by peaceful means. The 84-year-old Nobel laureate has so far not declared his successor. Earlier this year, he hinted that he may choose someone from India.

Dalai Lama Sends a Message to China:

The current Dalai Lama is the 14th one and his line of succession is based on the belief of reincarnation. At the age of two, a child named Lhamo Dhondup, was recognized as the reincarnation of the previous 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso and was named the 14th Dalai Lama of the Tibet’s Gelug school of Buddhism. The Chinese government has labelled the Dalai Lama a dangerous separatist. Dalai Lama Says Indian Muslims Can Set an Example of Religious Harmony for World.

The Communist government in China has also worked to bring the various Buddhist schools in the country under government control and rejected the original Panchen Lama, selected in 1995. The Chinese government then appointed its own Panchen Lama. This Panchen Lama is the second-highest leader in Tibetan Buddhism.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 25, 2019 01:06 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).