I was aware that the Chinese government controls a lot of things. I was not aware it also controls the cycle of death and rebirth.

The Dalai Lama, now 79, recently speculated that he might not reincarnate, ending the spiritual line of Tibetain Buddhism’s most important leader and thus monkey-wrenching the Chinese Communist Party’s plan to anoint a successor who would support China’s policies in Tibet.

That upset Party officials at their annual “two meetings” legislative gathering, and one of those officials, Zhu Weiqun,pulled back to curtain to let us have a peak at just how much authority the Chinese government has.

From The New York Times:

“Decision-making power over the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, and over the end or survival of this lineage, resides in the central government of China,” said Mr. Zhu.

Forget about karma. With friends like these…

Update:

Chinese state television (CCTV) has more, calling the Dalai Lama’s speculation a “dual betrayal”:

“The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama has to be endorsed by the central government, not by any other sides including the Dalai Lama himself,” said Zhu.

…

“Politically speaking, he has betrayed his homeland,” Zhu said. “The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama must be approved by the central government. Without the central government’s approval, all would be illegitimate.”