London (CNN) The Chinese government cares more about the institution of the Dalai Lama than the man who carries that name, the 14th Dalai Lama told CNN's Christiane Amanpour.

"I have no concern," he told Amanpour in London, adding that it is "possible" he would be the last Dalai Lama.

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The Chinese government still considers him a political leader, the Dalai Lama said, as the previous men carrying that title were for centuries. But since 2011, he told Amanpour, he is only a spiritual leader. "I totally retired from political responsibility -- not only myself retired, but also (a) four-century-old tradition."

Buddhism in Tibet far precedes the Dalai Lama, and "in the future, Tibetan Buddhism will carry (on) without the Dalai Lama."

Decades ago, he told Amanpour, "I publicly, formally, officially -- I announced the very institution of the Dalai Lama should continue or not -- (it is) up to Tibetan people."

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