The exiled Tibetan Dalai Lama says he is looking forward to giving up his political duties as head of the Tibetan exile movement some time next year.
A top aide on Tuesday confirmed the Buddhist spiritual leader's plan, which he recently declared in a broadcast interview in India.
"In order to utilise fully democracy I felt [it] better I am not involved [and that] I am devoted to other fields, promotion of human values and peace and harmony," the Dalai Lama said on CNN-IBN news channel. "[But] firstly I have to discuss, to inform members of Tibetan parliament."
The 76-year-old buddhist leader said he wants to discuss his intentions with the Tibetan parliament in exile, which convenes in March. He said he has been in a state of semi-retirement since the movement first elected a political leader in 2001.
The senior aide, Tenzin Taklha, stressed that the retirement would apply only to the Dalai Lama's political role. He said the Nobel Peace Prize laureate would continue to serve as a spiritual leader of the Tibetan people.
The declaration has once again raised the question of his successor. The Dalai Lama said that it is possible that he could be the last Dalai Lama.
A new set of political leaders are emerging among exiled Tibetans with the upcoming elections for the Tibetan parliament in exile to be held in March next year,
