His followers see him as the face of Tibet’s aspirations for greater autonomy, but have for years wrestled with the idea that he might be the last person to hold the role. He put that speculation to rest Wednesday,

The Dalai Lama says he hopes to live until he is over 130 years old, a remark he made during a ceremony organized by his followers to offer prayers for his long life as he prepares to celebrate his 90th birthday.

The Dalai Lama said Saturday that he hoped to live for another 30 or 40 years, amid a conclave of Buddhist leaders that has been discussing issues related to his succession that has sparked a crisis with China.