The Dalai Lama, the spiritual leader of Tibet, said on Wednesday that the Buddhist institution will continue after his death.

"I am affirming that the institution of the Dalai Lama will continue," he said in a video broadcast in Tibetan language from the mountainous town of Dharamshala, India.

He said the successor could be of any gender, and not necessarily of Tibetan nationality.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner was speaking at the start of a meeting of religious leaders in the Himalayan town where he has lived for decades.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry responded by saying that the next Dalai Lama must be approved by the central government.

"The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, the Panchen Lama and other great Buddhist figures must be chosen by drawing lots from a golden urn and approved by the central government," a ministry spokesperson told reporters.

The Dalai Lama fled Lhasa, the capital of Tibet after a failed uprising against Chinese rule in 1959. Since then, he has lived in India where the Tibetan government-in-exile was also established. 

Why is this an important decision?

Tenzin Gyatso is the 14th Dalai Lama since the institution began in 1587. Tibetan Buddhists believe him to be the reincarnation of the Bodhisattva of Compassion. They believe he can choose the body into which he is reincarnated. 

In Buddhism, a Bodhisattva means an enlightened being who has chosen to remain in the cycle of life to help others.

In his video message, the Dalai Lama said he had received requests from Buddhists from Tibet, Mongolia, parts of Russia and China, and beyond to ensure the continuation of the institution.

"In particular, I have received messages through various channels from Tibetans in Tibet making the same appeal," he said.

Wednesday's announcement ended years of speculation that the 14th Dalai Lama could be the last to hold the position.

The Gaden Phodrang Trust founded by the Dalai Lama will have the sole authority to recognize the future reincarnation, he added. 

"They should accordingly carry out the procedures of search and recognition in accordance with past tradition ... no one else has any such authority to interfere in this matter," the Dalai Lama said.

How the Dalai Lama is perceived worldwide

Worldwide, the Dalai Lama is seen as a symbol of non-violence, compassion and the Tibetan struggle against Chinese rule.

In 2023, he received flak for kissing a child on the lips, for which he apologized.

China views him as a separatist and rebel. Exiled Tibetans are afraid China will name their own successor to the Dalai Lama in their bid to exert more control over the Tibet Autonomous Region. 

The Dalai Lama had earlier said his successor will be born outside China, and urged followers to reject anyone chosen by Beijing.

Penpa Tsering, leader of the Tibetan government-in-exile in India, said the Dalai Lama would be open to visiting Tibet if his health allowed.

"His holiness' response is 'If I get to go to Tibet and China, I will go, but I will not live there, because there is no freedom there'. This is also connected with the reincarnation where his holiness says 'I will be born in a free world'", Tsering said.

Edited by: Zac Crellin