The Lama 's announcement about his next reincarnation set off a media kerfuffle . Buddhism produces charismatic leaders , but has structural flaws , says Robert Barnett . Hinting he may not return is a signal to China that time is running out . He knows that China is determined to appoint the next Dalai Lama -- it passed a government regulation in 2007 declaring that henceforth only it is allowed to permit a lama to reincarnate . At 79 , Dalai Lama continues to push China urgently to resume dialogue .
The Lama 's announcement about his next reincarnation set off a media kerfuffle . Buddhism produces charismatic leaders , but has structural flaws , says Robert Barnett . Hinting he may not return is a signal to China that time is running out . At 79 , Dalai Lama continues to push China urgently to resume dialogue .