Gyalwang Drukpa Rinpoche, the head of the Drukpa tradition of Tibetan Buddhism said that he will never accept a successor of the 14th Dalai Lama, if that came in the form of a regent appointed by a third party, during his recent interview at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in New Delhi, India on May 21, 2015.
"The question of successor is discussed in the media circles these days. I don't know exactly what this word successor means. If it is like a regent as in the past Tibet, then, I will never accept it. I also suspect Chinese hand in raising this issue," said Drukpa Rinpoche.
When asked who has the actual authority to recognize the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, Drukpa Rinpoche said, "No one has the authority. Only the Dalai Lama himself has the authority to decide his reincarnation. I think, even the Tibetan people have no say on this matter let alone the Chinese. I am sure he will set clear guidelines in writing to recognize his reincarnation."