The ultimate authority must always rest with the individual's own reason and critical analysis.

The ultimate authority must always rest with the individual's own reason and critical analysis.

My desire to devolve authority has nothing to do with a wish to shirk responsibility.

One thing I want to make clear, as far as my own rebirth is concerned, the final authority is myself and no one else, and obviously not China's Communists.

I felt we must separate political responsibility. The Dalai Lama should not carry that burden. So that is my selfish reason - to protect the old Dalai Lama tradition. It is safer without political involvement.

He indicates his analysis could have played a critical role