The Dalai Lama has become one of the world’s most recognizable figures while leading a Tibetan diaspora through their struggle for autonomy and opposition of China’s control of Tibet. He has not named a successor, but he says they will be born in the “free world” — outside China.

The statement puts to rest speculation, started by the Dalai Lama himself, that he may be the last of Tibet's spiritual leaders.

As the Dalai Lama approaches his 90th birthday, he emphasised that the institution of the Dalai Lama will persist, with the Gaden Phodrang Trust solely responsible for recognising his future reincarnation.