Date: Mon, 12 Aug 2002 16:19:58 +0000
From: Bhaktisiddhartha Dasanudas
To: vediculture (AT) yahoogroups (DOT) com

(...) In 1991 I had the good fortune to attend a retreat with His
Holiness the Dalai Lama at a remote lake in the Vermont woods. During
that retreat, which was only for monks, the Dalai Lama revealed in a
private audience that he was the last incarnation of the Dalai Lama.

"I am the last Dalai Lama," he said, "there will be no more Dalai Lama
after me." When I asked him why, he replied, "You are a disciple of
Bhaktivedanta. You should understand that now there is no more need
for me here. Tibetan Buddhism is the past; your instructions are for
the future. This is a very wonderful thing." Then he laughed. At least
the Dalai Lama has the wisdom to accept the inevitability of the
coming changes, and make a graceful exit from the scene in harmony
with the times, befitting his exalted spiritual status. (...)

--

Note: Intriguing. It could be verified probably only in person. I guess
writing to Dalailama's office would yield no result so I didn't bother. Jan