Rules Governing the Reincarnation of Tibetan Living Buddhas

The Rules Governing the Reincarnation of Tibetan Living Buddhas was adopted by the State Administration for Religious Affairs on July 13, 2007 and came into force the following September 1. Based on the Regulations on Religious Affairs, this document codifies reincarnation practices of Tibetan Buddhism, specifying the way in which the section of reincarnates is administered. The document, composed of 14 articles, explains its purposes, and lays out principles and conditions for reincarnation, review and approval procedures, duties and responsibilities of religious groups, and penalties for violations. It was enacted on the basis of respect for religious rituals and historical conventions, as a measure to ensure freedom of religion or belief. Its implementation facilitates the process of reincarnation, and accommodates the wishes of Tibetan Buddhist monks and worshippers. It represents an important effort to promote the rule of law in general and handle religious affairs according to the law in particular.

藏傳佛教活佛轉世管理辦法

《藏傳佛教活佛轉世管理辦法》于2007年7月13日經國家宗教事務局局務會議通過，自2007年9月1日起施行。《辦法》以《宗教事務條例》為立法依據，將活佛轉世管理具體化，標志著中國對藏傳佛教活佛轉世管理進一步法制化。《辦法》共14條，包括立法目的、轉世原則、轉世條件、審批程序、佛教團體職責、違法處罰等方面內容。頒布實施《辦法》是尊重宗教儀軌和歷史定制的需要，是貫徹落實宗教信仰自由政策的具體措施。《辦法》的頒布實施，規范了活佛轉世事宜，滿足了藏傳佛教界的要求和信教群眾的愿望，是依法治國、依法管理宗教事務的重要體現。