Dalai Lama's claims of reincarnation contested

The Buddhist Association of China issued a statement on Thursday on the recent claims made by the 14th Dalai Lama regarding his reincarnation.

According to the association's statement, the 14th Dalai Lama recently released the so-called "Statement Affirming the Continuation of the Institution of Dalai Lama", which violates the precepts and makes false claims regarding his reincarnation.

Starting from the 5th Dalai Lama, all successive holders of the title have been conferred by China's central government, which is the source of the religious status and historical legitimacy of the Dalai Lama title, the association said.