[scrupulusalbion]

This is an excellent article. From the Wiki article on the Dalai Lama[0]:

>Since the time of the fifth Dalai Lama, his personage has always been a symbol of unification of the state of Tibet, where he has represented Buddhist values and traditions.

This explains the interest by the Chinese Communist Party in wanting the Dalai Lama spirit to stick around. If he goes away, then political turmoil is sure to follow.

Also, this bit reminded me of an episode of Mike Judge's King of the Hill:

>They present a number of artifacts, only some of which belonged to the previous Dalai Lama, and if the boy chooses the items which belonged to the previous Dalai Lama, this is seen as a sign, in conjunction with all of the other claimed indications, that the boy is the reincarnation.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalai_Lama

[Para2016]

I imagine that after the current Dalai Lama dies, the Chinese government will proclaim they have found his reincarnation in a boy that they control. In the linked article it appears they have already done so with the Panchen Lama.

Seems pretty obvious and a clumsy attempt by the Chinese government to subvert the religion. Maybe it'll work and prove me wrong.