Recognised worldwide in his red robes and with his wide smile, Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th dalai lama, describes himself as a “simple Buddhist monk”. But millions of Tibetan Buddhists worship him as living manifestations of Chenrezig, the Buddhist god of compassion.

The spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, the Dalai Lama, has turned 90 after a week of celebrations by followers during which he riled China again and spoke about his hope to live beyond 130 and reincarnate after dying.

The 14th Dalai Lama has celebrated his 90th birthday and marked the occasion with a long-awaited announcement about the future of the Tibetan Buddhist spiritual tradition. On Wednesday, His Holiness announced via video message that the institution of the Dalai Lama would continue after his death.