Tempus 2011 v 32

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Dalai Lama's political successor sworn in at Indian ceremony

Lobsang Sangay, a Harvard-trained scholar who has never visited Tibet, takes the oath of office in Dharmsala, India

A Harvard-trained legal scholar has been sworn in as the head of the Tibetan government in exile, replacing the Dalai Lama as the leader of his people's fight for freedom. The 76-year-old Dalai Lama announced in March that he would be giving up his political role as the leader of the Tibetan exile movement but would remain the spiritual leader for Tibetan Buddhists.

Lobsang Sangay, who was elected in April, was surrounded by hundreds of Buddhist monks and nuns as he took the oath of office in Dharmsala, India, where the exile administration is based. The Dalai Lama was present. Sangay has said he will follow the Dalai Lama's approach of seeking increased autonomy for Tibet within China. However, China refuses to recognise Sangay's authority. "We will continue the 'middle way' policy. We are also willing to negotiate with the Chinese government any time, anywhere," Sangay told crowds during the ceremony at the Tsuglagkhang temple. He said he would work to fulfil the Dalai Lama's vision of a truly secular democratic society. "Tibetan leadership is far from fizzling out ... We are here to stay," he added.

Tibetans played traditional musical instruments and cheered as the Dalai Lama accompanied the leader to the temple for the brief ceremony. Later, the crowds applauded as the Dalai Lama hugged and blessed Sangay after the ceremony.

Sangay's election as the Kalon Tripa (prime minister) represents many firsts. He was born in the eastern Indian town of Darjeeling and has never visited Tibet. He is also the first secular leader to take over the political leadership of the Tibetan community.

The Dalai Lama said he needed to resign as political leader because he feared chaos would erupt after his death, when the Chinese government and Buddhist monks would be certain to argue over the identity of his successor. "Now, that danger is no longer there," he told the Associated Press.

The Dalai Lama fled into exile in northern India in 1959. The Indian government allowed him to establish the Tibetan government in exile in Dharmsala, setting up schools, hospitals and housing for the hundreds of thousands of Tibetans who fled China over the past five decades. He said he would continue to work for the Tibetan people, and also promised to allow the exiled government's envoys to act in his name.

China – which has vilified him as a separatist troublemaker but dislikes the government in exile even more – is forcing him to remain involved. Chinese leaders have said they will only hold negotiations with his representatives.