Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, the head monk of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, has entertained the idea that he might be the last Lama to ever hold the sacred title.

In keeping with his world-recognized optimism, the 79-year-old Nobel Peace Prize-winning Tenzin Gyatso spoke of the uncertainty of his lineage with a rationalizing kind of resignation.

"There is no guarantee that some stupid Dalai Lama won't come next, who will disgrace himself or herself,” he said according to BBC. “That would be very sad. So, much better that a centuries-old tradition should cease at the time of a quite popular Dalai Lama."

The Dalai Lama criticized the United Kingdom for taking a soft approach with China regarding Hong Kong's recent student-led pro-democracy demonstrations for what he views as financial reasons, and he also advised the international community to try to do more to encourage democracy in China.

Although the Dalai Lama he feels China should be welcomed to join mainstream democracy, he said its attempts at democratic integration should be met with caution and a good amount of shepherding by the West, as he sees that the free world has a moral responsibility to bring China to democracy “for China's own interests."

The Dalai Lama has acknowledged his status to be more of a figurehead than an actual factor in world events, as he pointed out that the political responsibilities are no longer included in his role.

The Dalai Lama, who fled to India in 1959 after Chinese troops quashed an uprising attempt in Tibet, is a divisive figure in world affairs.

Last week, rather than offend Chinese interests who view the Dalai Lama as a dangerous splittist from their government, Pope Francis declined to attend a meeting in Rome where the Dalai Lama would be present and instead sent his greeting via video message.

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