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BY JESSICA SIBERT

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Whether or not the tradition of the Dalai Lama continues is up to the Dalai Lama himself.

In a statement, he says, “When I am about ninety I will consult the high Lamas of the Tibetan Buddhist traditions, the Tibetan public, and other concerned people who follow Tibetan Buddhism, and re-evaluate whether the institution of the Dalai Lama should continue or not.”

The Shangaiist explains, the Dalai Lama wouldn’t cease to exist, but it takes a little bit of Buddhism-know-how to understand what he means.

“Much of the statement was devoted to an explanation of Tibetan Buddhist theology on reincarnation and the system of recognizng 'tulkus' (or ‘Buddha's Emanation Body’), the intricacies of which we will not go into here. Suffice to say, that the Dalai Lama … doesn't need to be trapped within the cycle of reincarnation ... and can CHOOSE to manifest himself in a variety of other ways.”

Tibet’s spiritual leader said if he were to be reincarnated, he would leave written instructions about the process. But a writer for the Economist noted how significant his death and reincarnation would be to both the Tibetans and the neighboring Chinese.

“The death of the present Dalai Lama -- a robust man, but in his 70s -- would remove the most powerful force restraining Tibetans from violent resistance to Chinese rule. Of course, China could crush an armed uprising easily. But it might be a bloody business.”

In March, Chinese authorities ordered the Dalai Lama to reincarnate in China after he dies. NTDTV reported the Chinese government said it must approve the reincarnation of any living Buddha.

“The authorities are desperate to curb the influence of the Dalai Lama, and specifically the current statement pinpoints that the authorities are preparing to appoint their own Dalai Lama, once the current Dalai Lama passes away.”

This could lead to a situation in which there are two Dalai Lamas: one in India, picked by the Dalai Lama himself, and one in China, picked by the Chinese regime. However, the 76-year-old has made it clear China will have no say in his reincarnation. The Hindustan Times reports.

"Lashing out at Chinese communist regime for its interference in the religious matters of Tibet the Dalai Lama said it was inappropriate for Chinese communist, who explicitly reject ever the idea of past and future life, let alone the concept of reincarnation Tulkus, to meddle in the system of reincarnation and especially the reincarnation of the Dalai Lamas and Panceh Lamas." 

The issue of the Dalai Lama’s reincarnation topped the agenda in this weekend’s religious summit in Dharamshala.

Transcript by Newsy.