The Dalai Lama has confirmed that he will reincarnate, making sure the tradition of the Dalai Lama continues after him.

 DHARAMSHALA, July 2 – The Dalai Lama has confirmed that the centuries-old Tibetan Buddhist tradition of recognizing his reincarnation will continue after his death, ending years of uncertainty over whether he might be the last to hold the title.

Speaking during birthday celebrations ahead of his 90th birthday on Sunday, the spiritual leader said his successor should be identified according to long-standing Buddhist customs. He also made it clear that China should not be involved in the process.

His statement is significant for Tibetans who are determined to preserve their religion and identity, both in Tibet and in exile, and for Tibetan Buddhists who revere the Dalai Lama as the human embodiment of Chenrezig, the Buddhist deity of compassion.

The announcement is likely to anger China, which claims it has the sole authority to approve the next Dalai Lama. Chinese officials insist the new spiritual leader must be found within China’s Tibetan regions, giving Beijing control over the reincarnation process. Experts believe this could lead to two competing Dalai Lamas in the future—one chosen by China and one by Tibetan religious leaders loyal to the current Dalai Lama.

The current Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, became the 14th incarnation in 1940. He fled Tibet in 1959 after a failed uprising against Chinese rule and has lived in exile in Dharamshala, India ever since. Over the years, he has advocated for Tibetan autonomy and helped establish a government-in-exile.

Tibetan Buddhists believe the Dalai Lama chooses the body into which he is reborn—a process that has occurred 14 times since 1587. The Dalai Lama has said before that his next incarnation will likely be born outside China.

In a pre-recorded video played during a Buddhist gathering, he said that the responsibility for recognizing his reincarnation lies solely with the Gaden Phodrang Trust, a nonprofit organization he founded in 2015. “No one else has any authority to interfere,” he said, adding that the search should follow traditional Tibetan methods.

When asked about his remarks, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that any reincarnation must follow Chinese laws and be approved by the central government.

Amnesty International responded to China’s stance, calling it a violation of religious freedom. “Tibetan Buddhists must be able to choose their spiritual leaders without state interference,” said Sarah Brooks, the group’s China Director.

The Dalai Lama has long urged Tibetans to reject any successor named by Beijing. The Tibetan government-in-exile also backs this position.

At a press event, Penpa Tsering, the current president of the Tibetan government-in-exile, said people across the Tibetan community had appealed for the Dalai Lama’s lineage to continue. “His Holiness has compassionately accepted our request,” he said.

Tsering warned China not to exploit the reincarnation issue for political purposes. “This is a sacred Tibetan tradition,” he said. “We condemn China’s attempts to manipulate it and will never accept a successor chosen by them.”

Traditionally, the search for a new Dalai Lama begins only after the previous one dies. Senior monks look for signs and spiritual indications, and the process of identifying and educating the reincarnation can take several years.