In an interview with the BBC late last year, the Dalai Lama said yet again that he may end the centuries-old tradition of reincarnation. Authorities in the Tibet Autonomous Region soon refuted such profane remarks. However, the Dalai Lama fought back, saying that China's communist government, which advocates atheism, has no right to comment on reincarnation.

The institution of the Dalai Lama has spanned over 300 years, and since the Qing Dynasty (1636-1912), the successor for a late Dalai Lama must be approved by the central government. But in recent years, the current Dalai Lama keeps spouting nonsense, such as his successor could be a foreigner, a woman, or, now this time, nobody.

Trying to lord his own will over the tradition, the Dalai Lama has devised a sly trap. But in Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama has not much influence on the reincarnation, because the successor won't be decided until his predecessor passes away.

The Dalai's obsession with the ceaseless debate over the old reincarnation question only shows that he is always ready to pull a stunt on Tibet, especially when the region and its people enjoy peace and stability. When his name stops making headlines for a while, he will try every means to display his existence. He is desperate to sustain the influence of its separatist faction, and fears that if the traditional reincarnation continues, his title shall return to Tibet. If so, exiled Tibetans will lose their backbone.

The Chinese central government has been consistently paying respect to Tibetan Buddhism. One of the important signs is that the government recognizes the 14th Dalai Lama's title and accepts the fact that he is influential in the Tibetan region. This attitude has not changed no matter how committed he has been to splitting the nation.

However, the Dalai Lama shows no restraints on abusing his religious influence for political purposes. This 79-year-old man is more or less a politician under the cover of a spiritual leader. His deceptive influence, after his death, can hardly carry on. In an attempt to tamper with the reincarnation, the Dalai Lama wishes he could pass his legacy to his followers, a scheme, however, most unlikely to prevail.

The institution of the Dalai Lama, after going through centuries of vicissitudes, has a profoundly unshakable influence in the Tibetan region. In sharp contrast, the personal influence of the sitting Dalai Lama, to a large extent, is fostered by some Western countries for political purposes. The Dalai Lama must know that any attempt to mess with the reincarnation will only make him a "double betrayer" of both his motherland and his religion.

History has proven that political struggles disguised by religion will ruin the reputation of a religion. The Dalai Lama's selfishness will be revealing.