By Khedroob Thondup

For decades, Tibet’s future has been entangled in the geopolitical contest between Beijing’s claims of sovereignty and the Tibetan people’s struggle for cultural and religious survival. Yet one institution has endured across centuries of upheaval: the Ganden Phodrang, the traditional office of the Dalai Lama. As the world anticipates the eventual succession of the 15th Dalai Lama, the United States faces a critical choice. By recognising the Ganden Phodrang as the legitimate authority to select the next Dalai Lama, Washington can safeguard Tibetan religious freedom, strengthen international norms, and enhance global recognition of Tibet’s unique civilisational identity.

The Ganden Phodrang: More Than a Sectarian Seat. The Ganden Phodrang, established in the 17th century, was not merely the administrative office of the Gelug school. It became the central institution of Tibetan governance, unifying ...