An eight-year-old Mongolian boy, born in the United States, has been named the 10th Khalkha Jetsun Dhampa Rinpoche, the third-highest rank in Tibetan Buddhism, by Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama
According to a report in the Times, the Dalai Lama was pictured with the eight-year-old boy taking part in a ceremony held on March 8 in Himachal Pradesh's Dharamshala, where the Buddhist leader lives in exile
The unveiling ceremony is understood to have taken place on March 8 (Wednesday) in the presence of close to 600 followers, according to the report
The 8-year-old US born child reportedly is the son of a university professor and the grandson of a former Mongolian member of parliament. He has a twin brother
“We have the reincarnation of Khalkha Jetsun Dhampa Rinpoche of Mongolia with us today. His predecessors had a close association with the Krishnacharya lineage of Chakrasamvara,” the Dalai Lama told his followers, as per reports
The news of the ceremony has caused celebrations among Buddhists in Mongolia, however, it has also led to concerns among those worried about potential reactions from neighbouring China
The move to anoint the boy as the third highest lama is likely to irk China, which has maintained that it will only recognise Buddhist leaders chosen by its own government
Several reports claim that The Dalai Lama institution in Dharamshala remains tight-lipped over the real identity of the new Mongolian Tibetan leader as they feel he would be targeted by the Chinese regime
In 1995, the Dalai Lama had named a new Panchen Lama, the second most important figure in the faith. The child, however, was arrested by Chinese authorities and replaced with their own candidate