KATHMANDU - For over two centuries, the reincarnation of Dalai Lamas and other high lamas has been confirmed only after validation by the central governments of China, a Nepali sinologist has said.

While teams with religious background were responsible for selecting the reincarnated boys, "the process would come into effect only after validation by the central governments of China," said Sarbottam Shrestha, who has been studying Tibetan Buddhism for three decades, in a recent interview with Xinhua.

The Chinese central governments "could also disqualify a Dalai Lama or any other high lama in case his behavior doesn't fit with that of a monk according to Buddhist traditions", he said.

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The reincarnation system is unique to Tibetan Buddhism, Shrestha said, noting that it originated from one sect within Tibetan Buddhism under special circumstances, and was adopted by other sects within a short period of time, as it was suitable to the unique social and religious systems of the Tibetan areas of that time, Shrestha observed.

In China, lot-drawing from a golden urn is a method used in Tibetan Buddhism to select the reincarnated soul of a deceased grand living Buddha. This method was formally introduced in 1792 under the reign of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Since then, golden urn lot-drawing has become an established tradition and widely practiced religious ritual.

In accordance with the Rules Governing the Reincarnation of Tibetan Living Buddhas, the golden urn method has to be applied in the reincarnation of a living Buddha if his own selection as a living Buddha was determined by this method. Applications to be exempt from such a procedure should be submitted via religious affairs offices at the provincial (or autonomous region) level to the State Administration for Religious Affairs, or in case of an important selection, to the State Council for approval.

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Ever since the golden urn method was mandated, the selection of reincarnations has always been subject to the supervision by the central government. Only under special circumstances and upon the approval of the central government can the ritual be dispensed with.