The recent trip of His Holiness the Dalai Lama to the USA for knee treatment has once again brought to the forefront the contentious issue of his reincarnation, an issue that lies at the heart of the ongoing struggle between Tibetan spiritual traditions and Chinese political ambitions. The Chinese government’s attempts to control the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, much like their actions regarding the Panchen Lama, reveal a deeply hypocritical stance that seeks to undermine Tibetan identity and religious freedom.