Will re-evaluate system of reincarnation at 90: Dalai Lama

Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama on Saturday that he would re-evaluate when he is about 90 whether the institution of the Dalai Lama should continue or not and termed China's efforts to meddle in the matter as inappropriate.

"When I am about 90, I will consult high Lamas of Tibetan Buddhist traditions, the Tibetan public and others concerned and re-evaluate whether the institution of the Dalai Lama should continue or not," the spiritual leader said.

"If it is decided the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama should continue and there is a need for the 15th Dalai Lama to be recognised, responsibility for doing so will primarily rest on concerned officers of the Dalai Lamas Gaden Phodrang Trust," he said.

"Officers of the trust should consult various heads of Tibetan Buddhist traditions and reliable oath-bound Dharma Protectors who are linked inseparably to the lineage of the Dalai Lamas and seek direction from those concerned and carry out procedures of search in accordance with past tradition."

"I shall leave clear written instructions about this," said the 76-year-old Dalai Lama, who relinquished political role in May this year, in a 4000-word statement, officially released by the Tibetan Central Administration.

In the statement, the Tibetan spiritual leader termed China's efforts to meddle in the system of reincarnation of the Dalai Lamas and Panchen Lamas as inappropriate.

"No recognition or acceptance should be given to a candidate chosen for political ends by anyone, including those in the Peoples Republic of China," the Dalai Lama said

"It is particularly inappropriate for Chinese communists, who explicitly reject even the idea of past and future lives, let alone the concept of reincarnation, to meddle in the system of reincarnation, especially the reincarnation of the Dalai Lamas and Panchen Lamas."

"Such brazen meddling contradicts their own political ideology and reveals their double standards," he said.