As the 14th Dalai Lama celebrates his 78 birthday, people can't help asking who will take over the throne of future Dalai group outside China?

It is a question worrying the Tibet government-in-exile a lot in recent years. As for the Dalai Lama himself, he seems already made his plans.

In a recent interview reported by the Washington Post, the Dalai Lama revealed again the argument that the future Dalai Lama might be a woman. According to the Dalai Lama, his reincarnation could be chosen when he's still alive, or be stopped altogether. His reincarnation could be designated, or elected in a papal-style conclave, and could be a girl, inside or even outside China.

The Dalai Lama showed special attention to his reincarnation, which is understandable as he is already an old man. The problem is that the more he talks, the crazier he looks, and the further away he is from his religion. He is like an actor or a politician, often leaving people wondering about the credibility of his words.

These arguments were so subversive that even the western media felt confused. The New York Times used to report, based on past practice, the search for the reincarnated "soul boy" should only start after the living Buddha passes away…the Dalai Lama's latest argument made those who believe in Tibetan Buddhism confused.

The reincarnation system of a living Buddha is unique to Tibetan Buddhism. It has complete religious rituals and long-standing conventions. The Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama are the two disciples of Tsongkhapa. Both adopt the unique reincarnation system in choosing successors. Thus reincarnation is a very serious and solemn ritual with a set of strict rules and ceremonies.

Meanwhile, according to the Management Measures for the Reincarnation of Living Buddhas in Tibetan Buddhism, the reincarnation of Living Buddha shall not be interfered or dominated by any organization or individual abroad. In addition, it regulates the reincarnation of living Buddha should fulfill the application and approval procedures.

However, the Dalai Lama did choose a "soul boy" once and turned out to be rejected the chosen "soul boy" himself, which was quite a joke at that time, reported by the Guardian.

A Spanish boy, named Osel Hita Torres, was chosen out of nine other candidates as the "soul boy" of deceased Lama Yeshe. As a toddler, Torres was put on a throne and worshipped by monks who treated him like a god. But the boy chosen by the Dalai Lama as a reincarnation of a spiritual leader has caused embarrassment and finally turned his back on the order.

"They took me away from my family and stuck me in a medieval situation in which I suffered a great deal," said Torres, 24, describing how he was whisked from obscurity in Granada to a monastery in southern India. "It was like living a lie," he told the Spanish newspaper El Mundo.

Why did the Dalai Lama make such arguments and behavior? The reason has different visions but the ultimate purpose is clear.

The separatist group of Dalai Lama once said publicly, "Keeping a living Buddha under control means keeping a temple under control, and keeping a temple under control means keeping a district under control."

Professor Hu Yan from the Party School of the Central Committee of Communist Party of China (CPC)said that "It is totally a self show for the Dalai Lama", reported by Xinhua.

As for the opinion of Robert Barnett, director of the Modern Tibet Studies Program, Columbia University, German media reported that he said if the Dalai Lama chose his "soul boy" by himself, then the Tibetans-in-exile would avoid the 20-year's absence of power for the growing up the "soul boy".

The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama must have the support of Tibetan Buddhist practitioners and the approval of the Chinese central government. If the Dalai Lama violates the historical and religious tradition of the reincarnation system, nobody will support his reincarnation, like the poor Spanish boy.