Dalai Lama warns that he may be the last

The Tibetan spiritual leader has stated that he does not want his role to pass to a 'stupid' successor.

Exiled from his homeland, the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, has been a prominent figure on the world stage for decades.

As the Buddhist leader reaches his eighth decade however it has become increasingly unclear as to whether there will actually be another Dalai Lama to continue the line after he dies.


The main point of contention lies in China's insistence that it will choose a successor instead of the high lamas, as is traditional.

"The Dalai Lama institution will cease one day. These man-made institutions will cease," said Gyatso.

"There is no guarantee that some stupid Dalai Lama won't come next, who will disgrace himself or herself. That would be very sad. So, much better that a centuries-old tradition should cease at the time of a quite popular Dalai Lama."

Ultimately, Gyatso insists, it is the people of Tibet who will have the final say on the matter.

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