New Delhi: A Mongolian boy, born in the United States, will assume the third highest rank in Tibetan Buddhism.
The eight-year-old boy will be anointed by the Dalai Lama as the 10th Khalkha Jetsun Dhampa Rinpoche, reports say.
A photo reportedly showed Dalai Lama taking part with the ceremony alongside the boy on March 8 in Himachal Pradesh's Dharamshala, according to NDTV.
The renowned Buddhist leader lives in exile in Dharamshala, and the US born boy is the son of a university professor.
The boy is the grandson of a former Mongolian member of parliament.
Dalai Lama’s move will certainly upset China as it will not recognize Buddhist leaders other than its choice.
The new of anointment has created both ‘excitement and apprehension’ as it will irk China.
Obviously, believers must be concerned about the safety of the child, given what happened in 1995 when Dalai Lama named the 11th Panchem Lama.
Chinese authorities reportedly kidnapped Panchem Lama and his family and were never seen again as China replaced the lama with its own choice candidate.