The Dalai Lama has announced that he intends to reincarnate, paving the way for a successor to take on a mantle stretching back 500 years after his death. But as he approaches his 90th birthday, that news hasn’t eased the worries of Tibetan Buddhists who wonder: What will happen when this Dalai Lama is gone?

China has reacted to the announcement from the Dalai Lama that he will be reincarnated after his death and a successor will be appointed.

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.